Trickle Chargers

[IanA2]

Maplin a selling a trickle charger that sits on the dash and plugs into the cig lighter. My question is this.....do they work? I'm thinking getting it for my
SL which sometimes sits about for a while.....thanks folks.

 

[ceejaySL]

I (in common with most bikers) use an optimate which is an intelligent battery condition monitor and charger on the bike.

Wouldn't be without it.

Keeps plugged in to the battery which never leaves peak condition. Does clever elctrical checks on the condition and adjusts what it does accordingly, rather than a continuous trickle charge which can apparently damage the battery plates.

I guess if you are using the car on high days and holidays it would be a good gizmo. BTW all the bike users rate the real optimate rather than the clones. About £35 from bike accesory suppliers - try M&P or Busters.

 

[BTB 500]

If you mean a small solar charger, they will barely keep a battery topped up.

As mentioned, a mains-powered 'maintenance' charger is a much better bet ... provided you have a socket nearby.

The OptiMate is only rated for batteries up to 28 Ah, for a car you need the AccuMate:

http://www.accumate.co.uk/it010001.htm

That's what I use with my SL.

 

[Brian WH]

They would only work if the Ciagarette lighter/12v socket is live. On most MBs they are only live when the ignition is ON, which means leaving a key in???

 

[glojo]

Our poor Sprinter is parked in the driveway and has very limited use. This lack of running time played havoc with batteries (plural) but for the last year we have had a solar panel resting on the dash that plugs into a cigarette lighter socket. Brilliant gizzmo and since fitting it the batteries have been perfect. (paid for itself twice over)

There are numerous sized panels and you get what you pay for, but different typoes can easily be found by using good old Mr Google

Regards
John

 

[television]

They would only work if the Ciagarette lighter/12v socket is live. On most MBs they are only live when the ignition is ON, which means leaving a key in???

Actually they are only live in key 1 or 2, MB do a kit for the boot of SL's but you could do it for under a £5 just by purchasing a socket and a fuse holder

 

[glojo]

Luckily I stated it was on our Mercedes Sprinter. It was done at a proper car auto electrical workshop and I have NO idea WATT the input is, or how it is wired in. The van has numerous anti-theft devices that use a minimal amount of electric, but all the other electronic gadgets use the stuff by the bucket full. Prior to getting the panel the heavy duty auxillary battery would be flat, but since getting this system......... Touching wood as I type; the battery has been excellent. As stated, I have NO idea if its output, I have NO idea how it is wired in and the auto electricians have fitted the cigar lighter, so I have NO idea how that is wired into the system, but it works brilliantly.

John

 

[Brian WH]

Actually they are only live in key 1 or 2,

You are being pedantic, ""ON"" is position 1 or 2 isn't it??

 

[television]

You are being pedantic, ""ON"" is position 1 or 2 isn't it??

I am so sorry, it was not meant like that, on re reading you point out that the key will have to be left in, and I am sorry. I should have used a new reply rather than a quote

 

[DieselE]

A thread on the same topic that you might find useful.

http://www.mbclub.co.uk/forums/showthread.php?t=37184

The CTEK charger mentioned in that thread has a capability of up to 120Amp hours which covers virtually all car batteries.

 

[fuzzer]

ive just picked myself up off the floor after reading tickle charger

 

[GrahamC230K]

I'm still not sure if Glojo knows how his van is wired up or not?

 

[nigel cross]

So long as the seat is 'alive',or that would be an electric chair, hair raising

 

[normanr]

Took Peters advice and bought the CTEK MULTI XS 3600 has a good write up.
Ordered late last night and dispatched today with free postage also 5 years warranty.
Norman

 

[BTB 500]

The CTEK charger mentioned in that thread has a capability of up to 120Amp hours which covers virtually all car batteries.

Looks very similar to the AccuMate (3-step charge process), but is more expensive?

The AccuMate is wall-mountable, which is a big plus for me ... I have it on the garage wall next to the boot of my SL.

 

[normanr]

Time you have added there VAT and postal charges there is very little in it.

All according to what you want (5 years warranty plus it is small enough to be left in the car tucked away)

 

[glojo]

I'm still not sure if Glojo knows how his van is wired up or not?

I'll give you a clue:

I have NO idea how it is wired in and the auto electricians have fitted the cigar lighter, so I have NO idea how that is wired into the system, but it works brilliantly.

In fact I think it fair to say I have NO idea how the van is wired up. I do know it has a one off, specially made stretcher lift (ambulances only have wheelchair lifts) It has a heavy duty winch, electric flotation unit, interior florescent lighting, two independant In Car Entertainment systems, Navigation systems, large rear view camera, twin fans, plus commercial air conditioning etc etc etc

The list is endless the auxillary battery huge, but whenever I get into the vehicle and check the battery, it is fully charged thanks to the solar panel.

John

 

[trooper]

I've got one of those solar chargers and it worked fine for me. The ciggy socket is not live on my car but the battery is in the boot so I threaded the wires through the ski hatch and put the pannel on the rear parcel shelf.
Perfect

 

[glojo]

I've got one of those solar chargers and it worked fine for me. The ciggy socket is not live on my car but the battery is in the boot so I threaded the wires through the ski hatch and put the pannel on the rear parcel shelf.
Perfect

I think that is the answer, but just ensure it is safe, As stated we have a very large auxillary battery and I am delighted with the system. I'm sure a mains trickle charger is the better option, but for a vehicle that is left outside, the system we have is a much better option. I say this for a number of reasons.

The vehicle is secure.

There are no trailing wires. (would have to go right across the driveway)

It is so much more convienant.

Plus contrary to what is said; It works.

John

 

[BTB 500]

Maplin a selling a trickle charger that sits on the dash and plugs into the cig lighter. My question is this.....do they work? I'm thinking getting it for my
SL which sometimes sits about for a while.....thanks folks.

Is that the one currently on special offer for £9.99? If so, that gives a charge current of just 85 mA in bright sunlight, so over a typical UK day the amount it would put back into the battery would be pretty negligible IMO.

They have a 12W solar charger on special offer at £49.99 - that can deliver up to 680 mA, which is more useful. But it's nearly a metre long (98 cm x 34 cm) and you'd still have to do a bit of tinkering to get it hooked up to the battery with the ignition off.