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Good trickle chargers like CTEK and similar also have s program for de-sulphurisation so they can actually be used even for daily drivers. At least once a week I plug mine in.
I think the more advanced ones also have program to simulate daily driving by actively discharging and charging so this is an area where I actually think it's worth the extra bucks. Still - for a CTEK 45 Zafir I paid 45 USD so it's still cheap.
Which ever one you decide on, make sure it has the cigarette lighter adapter. That will make it so much easier to use, plus you don't have to worry about getting into the trunk if the battery happens to be completely dead.
I think it's better with the quick connector. Then you don't have the cable tgrough the door or window and it's faster to connect. Another advantage is the LED battery indicator that shine green, yellow or red depending on battery charge level.
I noticed that they had both CTEK and Battery Tender chargers hooked up to the cars. Keep in mind that some of the cars there have seven-figure values.
Its still only a three figure battery.
Wish I lived close enough to see his collection one Saturday afternoon.
That's true, until an el-cheapo charger boils away your electrolyte or causes the battery to burst.
I drive my car almost every day so I don't worry about it. But, I have dealt with a weak battery on my '09 and I can tell you that once they start to go out, even if they will start the car, they start to cause little niggly electrical gremlins all over the place, and those can get annoying. Best to keep your battery charged fully all of the time, either by driving or attaching a maintainer.
Most chargers/maintainers suggest that you not leave them plugged in 24/7 for extended periods of time--even the Battery Tender (not sure what the instructions say on CTEKs).
I decided to project and build my own battery charger. It was cheap to build and had instant reading of the trickle current needed as well as the actual battery voltage. It is interesting because as the battery became old the trickle current goes up. Normally the trickle current is of around 40 to 50 mA and goes up to +150 mA during battery end of life.
On the black box one can read trickle current (in amps) and on the small adaptor the battery voltage.
Why pay more for anything else. I hardwired to battery and use the quick connection in the frunk.
You're on the right track to a good connection. But not quite there. Several years ago there was a thread on a similar topic, and one Rennlister went to the trouble of installing a port on the front of his car. As he backed the car out of his garage spot, the cord is pulled and off he goes. When he returns to the garage, he parks, and then reaches down and simply plugs in the car. He located it behind a spring-loaded, weather proof cap. It was the slickest thing I've seen!
09-12-2017, 04:45 PM
battery charger
