Battery charger/maintainer
12-27-2003, 02:09 PM
#1
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Battery charger/maintainer
Hello, and Merry Christmas all,
I have added a section to my web site that details the installation of a battery charger/maintainer.
I was wondering if anyone out there have installed a similar unit? If so, could you have a look at my write-up, and tell me your opinions or suggestions?
Best regards in the holiday season,
Mike
I have added a section to my web site that details the installation of a battery charger/maintainer.
I was wondering if anyone out there have installed a similar unit? If so, could you have a look at my write-up, and tell me your opinions or suggestions?
Best regards in the holiday season,
Mike
Last edited by aircooler; 12-30-2003 at 10:00 PM.
12-27-2003, 02:35 PM
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I have the exact same C/T battery maintainer unit. I have attached my terminal to the "Jump-start" terminal in the engine compartment, rather than to the battery, as you have. It's 6 of one; 1/2 dozen of the other, I think.
I also use the unit to keep my motorcycle batteries charged over the "ski season". There is a bit of a trick with the motorcycle application, though. Unlike car regulators, which kill the charging cycle at the alternator, motorcycle regulators just "ground out" the excess charging energy through the voltage regulator, converting it to heat in the regulator unit itself. (This is one of the reasons some motorcycles have such common charging circuit trouble: HONDA!!)
Anyway, the trick with using an external charging unit on a motorcycle, is to disconnect the battery from the bike so that the bike's regulator doesn't get over-worked by dumping the charger current all winter long. The charger can do that itself, internally like it's supposed to.
I also use the unit to keep my motorcycle batteries charged over the "ski season". There is a bit of a trick with the motorcycle application, though. Unlike car regulators, which kill the charging cycle at the alternator, motorcycle regulators just "ground out" the excess charging energy through the voltage regulator, converting it to heat in the regulator unit itself. (This is one of the reasons some motorcycles have such common charging circuit trouble: HONDA!!)
Anyway, the trick with using an external charging unit on a motorcycle, is to disconnect the battery from the bike so that the bike's regulator doesn't get over-worked by dumping the charger current all winter long. The charger can do that itself, internally like it's supposed to.
12-27-2003, 04:05 PM
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Mike. That is a beautiful installation. Anytime you want to drive up from southern Canada to NH to do some work here you are welcome. Of course the car isn't too shabby either.
I have a small charger installed in the spare tire area that stands upright with the Edison pigtail just sticking up at the rear of the cover. A flat appliance cord connects it to the wall socket. Unplug it and go. The charger itself is small, about 1 x 5 x 8, so it fits nicely in the corner.
After a few days in colder weather the car would turn over but with insufficient revs to fire. With the battery maint on I can leave it for weeks and it will crank and fire right away. Life is good.
I have a small charger installed in the spare tire area that stands upright with the Edison pigtail just sticking up at the rear of the cover. A flat appliance cord connects it to the wall socket. Unplug it and go. The charger itself is small, about 1 x 5 x 8, so it fits nicely in the corner.
After a few days in colder weather the car would turn over but with insufficient revs to fire. With the battery maint on I can leave it for weeks and it will crank and fire right away. Life is good.
12-27-2003, 05:05 PM
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you might have checked if you have 12v at the lighter plug. for some reason late 88's have 12v at the lighter all the time. i just plug my maintainer in there.
if you left your car outside, another option would be one of those VW solor chargers wired to the battery.
if you left your car outside, another option would be one of those VW solor chargers wired to the battery.
12-28-2003, 12:24 PM
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I have the same installation.
I recommend that you add a fuse to the positive lead as close as possible to the battery. A small inline fuesholder is cheap insurance against a casual short when the connecting cable gets pinched in the battery box cover. That looks like 14-16ga wire, so a 10-amp fuse might be appropriate.
I also recommend that you replace the missing vent hose on the battery. This attaches to the port there at the top of the battery towards the front of the car, and carries the acid fumes out through that hole directly in front of the port. I used some poly tubing from a home center, the stuff they sell for drip irrigation systems. A short section of clear vinyl tubing makes the connection to the battery itself.
Nice write-up and pictures! It's stuff like this that makes this group so great.
I recommend that you add a fuse to the positive lead as close as possible to the battery. A small inline fuesholder is cheap insurance against a casual short when the connecting cable gets pinched in the battery box cover. That looks like 14-16ga wire, so a 10-amp fuse might be appropriate.
I also recommend that you replace the missing vent hose on the battery. This attaches to the port there at the top of the battery towards the front of the car, and carries the acid fumes out through that hole directly in front of the port. I used some poly tubing from a home center, the stuff they sell for drip irrigation systems. A short section of clear vinyl tubing makes the connection to the battery itself.
Nice write-up and pictures! It's stuff like this that makes this group so great.
12-28-2003, 12:32 PM
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BrianG,
I remember working on an x girlfriends new Honda Shadow.....argh! It was the worst put together bike I ever saw. If I remember correctly, it was one of the first produced VLX's (around 5-600cc?). No word of a lie, I had to ride behind her for the first week in my Yamaha to stop, and pic up the chrome looking plastic pieces that fell off. I don't think that all Honda bikes were as horrible as this VLX though. It seemed that Honda produced a frame that resembled a Harley, and then squished the workings of a regular Shadow into it. It was also the first production year of that bike. Aside from the spontaneous disassembly, a host of other jobs that were a breeze on Yamaha's were, IMHO, unnecessarily difficult on the Honda (battery removal, oil and filter, etc...).
I have not owned a bike for a while (traded my V-max for my first Porsche), but that Honda taught me one thing, if you want to ride a Harley, buy a dam Harley! Something can also be said on these lines about sports cars and Porsches.
Gt Jackson,
Thanks for the approval. It would seem that I have followed your lead in location and installation. I agree, life is good when the car cranks with vigor after a few months slumber. I wish I had bothered to put a charger/maintainer on my S.
Speaking of my previous S, every time I see yours with the S4 rear end, I wish I had done the same. Looks great! I love the front end of the S (more so than the S4), but never was fond of the rear end. I think, and this is entirely personal, that the most beautiful 928 would be stroked, have an S nose, S4 side trim, RH 3.6 turbo wheels, aero mirrors, roof antenna, 91 interior, GTS qtr panel flares, and an Aerodyne rear wing. Hey..... there is a photo shop project there!
David,
The only cig lighter charger I could easily find was a pricey factory one, but for some reason I personally don't really like the idea of it. With the charger plugged into the rear I could mess with the interior with more ease. Those solar panel chargers you mentioned are also a nice idea, however (as you alluded) I have no skylights in my garage.
Hey Dr Bob!
The fuse is a great idea. I will install a 10-amp fuse this week. You think that 10a is appropriate?
Also a very good point on the vapor tube. Particularly since most vapors (as I understand) are developed when the battery is under charge. I pulled the tube a couple of weeks ago when I noticed it developed a crimp, but have not had a chance to get another. I will get on that with the fuse. Thanks.
Have a happy new year all,
Mike
I remember working on an x girlfriends new Honda Shadow.....argh! It was the worst put together bike I ever saw. If I remember correctly, it was one of the first produced VLX's (around 5-600cc?). No word of a lie, I had to ride behind her for the first week in my Yamaha to stop, and pic up the chrome looking plastic pieces that fell off. I don't think that all Honda bikes were as horrible as this VLX though. It seemed that Honda produced a frame that resembled a Harley, and then squished the workings of a regular Shadow into it. It was also the first production year of that bike. Aside from the spontaneous disassembly, a host of other jobs that were a breeze on Yamaha's were, IMHO, unnecessarily difficult on the Honda (battery removal, oil and filter, etc...).
I have not owned a bike for a while (traded my V-max for my first Porsche), but that Honda taught me one thing, if you want to ride a Harley, buy a dam Harley! Something can also be said on these lines about sports cars and Porsches.
Gt Jackson,
Thanks for the approval. It would seem that I have followed your lead in location and installation. I agree, life is good when the car cranks with vigor after a few months slumber. I wish I had bothered to put a charger/maintainer on my S.
Speaking of my previous S, every time I see yours with the S4 rear end, I wish I had done the same. Looks great! I love the front end of the S (more so than the S4), but never was fond of the rear end. I think, and this is entirely personal, that the most beautiful 928 would be stroked, have an S nose, S4 side trim, RH 3.6 turbo wheels, aero mirrors, roof antenna, 91 interior, GTS qtr panel flares, and an Aerodyne rear wing. Hey..... there is a photo shop project there!
David,
The only cig lighter charger I could easily find was a pricey factory one, but for some reason I personally don't really like the idea of it. With the charger plugged into the rear I could mess with the interior with more ease. Those solar panel chargers you mentioned are also a nice idea, however (as you alluded) I have no skylights in my garage.
Hey Dr Bob!
The fuse is a great idea. I will install a 10-amp fuse this week. You think that 10a is appropriate?
Also a very good point on the vapor tube. Particularly since most vapors (as I understand) are developed when the battery is under charge. I pulled the tube a couple of weeks ago when I noticed it developed a crimp, but have not had a chance to get another. I will get on that with the fuse. Thanks.
Have a happy new year all,
Mike
12-28-2003, 01:04 PM
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Hi Mike:
Great job, and your 928 looks fantastic.
I did the same thing, but make sure the lid to to battery compartment has a seal that is in good condition to prevent vapours from getting into the interior.
I'd love to see your car some day.
Cheers,
Tim
Great job, and your 928 looks fantastic.
I did the same thing, but make sure the lid to to battery compartment has a seal that is in good condition to prevent vapours from getting into the interior.
I'd love to see your car some day.
Cheers,
Tim
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12-28-2003, 01:30 PM
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Great catch, dr.bob!! I'm going to install that fuse today, too!
Watercooler, 10A is good for that charger. It's more than the charger will ever put out and not so much that there's a chance of much errant "welding" going on, should a short occur somewhere.
Watercooler, 10A is good for that charger. It's more than the charger will ever put out and not so much that there's a chance of much errant "welding" going on, should a short occur somewhere.
12-30-2003, 11:09 AM
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Hello Tim,
Thanks, I think my battery lid is OK, it seems to seal well. I see that you use a 3A fuse, I guess the main thing is that it is a fused line. I hope to get a fuse in today.
Daniel Cloutier, one of our rennlister's and a Toronto resident was good enough to contact me this year about a local meet. Unfortunately I was away with work at the time, however I plan to make an effort to show this year. If you were to consider dropping by we might get a chance to meet, show a little metal, and have a pop?
I think the choice of cars that day would be easy.
Happy New Year,
Mike
Thanks, I think my battery lid is OK, it seems to seal well. I see that you use a 3A fuse, I guess the main thing is that it is a fused line. I hope to get a fuse in today.
Daniel Cloutier, one of our rennlister's and a Toronto resident was good enough to contact me this year about a local meet. Unfortunately I was away with work at the time, however I plan to make an effort to show this year. If you were to consider dropping by we might get a chance to meet, show a little metal, and have a pop?
I think the choice of cars that day would be easy.
Happy New Year,
Mike
12-30-2003, 11:34 AM
#11
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I installed the factory unit with the 928 adapter kit. (no power to the cig lighter in the "off" position). The connector is fused where it plugs into the adapter. I run the wire under the cowl to the jump start post. The charging unit is plugged into the power outlet for the garage door opener, above the car. (tied up there in case it decides to come loose). This keeps it out of the car for interior work and out of the way of my clumsey feet, while being imposible to ignore when it is time to start the car.
12-31-2003, 04:56 AM
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I fitted a heavy duty socket under the licence plate, connected via a fuse to battery. link to pics-> http://f1.pg.photos.yahoo.com/ph/big...dir=/My+Photos
These type of fittings have a positive connection of the +12v line, rather than just a rubbing contact as in cigar lighter units, and the negative pole has large copper contacts , and are much more reliable. The unit has a cap to seal it (open so you can see inside). ALthough it looks a bit low, you cant see it unless you look for it. I can fit a charge lead to it so its connection is obvious (ie SWMBO wont drive off with it connected...), and it just needs a small tug to disconnect, which is easier than alligators etc. The sockets come in this external mount, and panel types also. I prefer these sockets for heavy currents like tyre pumps to cigar lighters, much more robust IMHO.
jp 83 Euro S
These type of fittings have a positive connection of the +12v line, rather than just a rubbing contact as in cigar lighter units, and the negative pole has large copper contacts , and are much more reliable. The unit has a cap to seal it (open so you can see inside). ALthough it looks a bit low, you cant see it unless you look for it. I can fit a charge lead to it so its connection is obvious (ie SWMBO wont drive off with it connected...), and it just needs a small tug to disconnect, which is easier than alligators etc. The sockets come in this external mount, and panel types also. I prefer these sockets for heavy currents like tyre pumps to cigar lighters, much more robust IMHO.
jp 83 Euro S
