Notices
ScoobyNet General General Subaru Discussion

Need a good trickle charger

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Mar 29, 2013 | 06:58 PM
  #1  
-shane-'s Avatar
-shane-
Thread Starter
Scooby Regular
iTrader: (40)
 
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 2,163
Likes: 0
From: Suffolk
Default Need a good trickle charger

Guys I need a good trickle charger, my classic impreza seems to be have a problem starting in the morning and after a full day at work, if I drive the car stop for petrol it starts straight away. It turns over and starts and dies start it again and its fine normal revs low for a split sec and its normal, on an average week the car is doing 10 miles a day Monday to Friday and then sits in the garage all weekend unless I get a chance to go for a drive,

I'm thinking the battery might just need to be kept on a trickle charger, can anyone recommend anything?
Reply
Old Mar 29, 2013 | 08:52 PM
  #2  
apac's Avatar
apac
Scooby Regular
iTrader: (2)
 
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 1,151
Likes: 1
From: Spec C Ltd 385/407
Default

Hows about a battery conditioner. Look up CTEK battery conditioner they are about £50 iirc
Reply
Old Mar 29, 2013 | 08:58 PM
  #3  
Osimabu's Avatar
Osimabu
Scooby Regular
iTrader: (2)
 
Joined: May 2011
Posts: 1,341
Likes: 0
From: .
Default

CTEK CTE-MXS5.0 5A 12V Car Battery Charger: Amazon.co.uk: Car & Motorbike CTEK CTE-MXS5.0 5A 12V Car Battery Charger: Amazon.co.uk: Car & Motorbike
Reply
Old Mar 29, 2013 | 08:58 PM
  #4  
F1 CJE UK's Avatar
F1 CJE UK
Scooby Regular
iTrader: (8)
 
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 4,931
Likes: 0
From: MK
Default

As above CTEK

You can get a contractor to fit to the car to make it easy to unplug.
Reply
Old Mar 29, 2013 | 08:59 PM
  #5  
JDM_Stig's Avatar
JDM_Stig
Scooby Regular
15 Year Member
Liked
Loved
iTrader: (3)
 
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 5,873
Likes: 44
From: Mount Weather
Default

pop to Lidl`s, they had a cracking conditioner for £13,
I have had 1 for a while now and its spot on.
Reply
Old Mar 29, 2013 | 09:16 PM
  #6  
MattyB1983's Avatar
MattyB1983
Scooby Regular
iTrader: (51)
 
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 12,716
Likes: 46
From: Around
Default

I tried a couple out and found this to be spot on.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/300880788399?redirect=mobile

Used to leave it on for weeks and sometimes months at a time.
Reply
Old Mar 29, 2013 | 09:23 PM
  #7  
ditchmyster's Avatar
ditchmyster
Scooby Regular
iTrader: (7)
 
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 13,624
Likes: 7
From: Living the dream
Default

Make sure when you drive it you have the lights on as well otherwise there won't be enough of a drain to kick the charging circuit into action.
Reply
Old Mar 29, 2013 | 09:26 PM
  #8  
MattyB1983's Avatar
MattyB1983
Scooby Regular
iTrader: (51)
 
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 12,716
Likes: 46
From: Around
Default

Originally Posted by ditchmyster
Make sure when you drive it you have the lights on as well otherwise there won't be enough of a drain to kick the charging circuit into action.
Thought that only applied to newages with those stupid 'smart alternators'. I never had any issues with my classic.
Reply
Old Mar 29, 2013 | 09:44 PM
  #9  
-shane-'s Avatar
-shane-
Thread Starter
Scooby Regular
iTrader: (40)
 
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 2,163
Likes: 0
From: Suffolk
Default

Cheers guys will take a look, I've just had a look at the car last used yesterday and on the apexi before starting its showing 11.3 is that a little low?
Reply
Old Mar 29, 2013 | 11:09 PM
  #10  
simb 2's Avatar
simb 2
Scooby Regular
iTrader: (3)
 
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 5,350
Likes: 0
From: South Wales - Stuck on this rollercoaster, get me off!!
Default

Originally Posted by -shane-
Cheers guys will take a look, I've just had a look at the car last used yesterday and on the apexi before starting its showing 11.3 is that a little low?
+1 for CTEK

Reply
Old Mar 29, 2013 | 11:17 PM
  #11  
53's Avatar
53
Scooby Senior
iTrader: (41)
 
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 16,742
Likes: 4
From: Standing Up
Default

Originally Posted by ditchmyster
Make sure when you drive it you have the lights on as well otherwise there won't be enough of a drain to kick the charging circuit into action.
+1
Reply
Old Mar 29, 2013 | 11:18 PM
  #12  
-shane-'s Avatar
-shane-
Thread Starter
Scooby Regular
iTrader: (40)
 
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 2,163
Likes: 0
From: Suffolk
Default

Originally Posted by simb 2
+1 for CTEK

Cheers mate do u recommend a particular one?

Do you think 11.3 v is low another to cause the car to struggle when starting?

If I use the car a few days in a row is it safe to plug in in every time I park up
Reply
Old Mar 29, 2013 | 11:21 PM
  #13  
JonMc's Avatar
JonMc
Scooby Senior
iTrader: (51)
 
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 20,491
Likes: 2
From: Wherever I park my car, that's my home
Default

I have the CTEK3600 that works a treat, but this one look very similar in spec and operation

http://www.clasohlson.com/uk/Cotech-...er/Pr182692000
Reply
Old Mar 30, 2013 | 12:34 PM
  #14  
-shane-'s Avatar
-shane-
Thread Starter
Scooby Regular
iTrader: (40)
 
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 2,163
Likes: 0
From: Suffolk
Default

Cheers guys will be buying one,

Is 11.3v before starting likely to cause problems starting?

I didn't know about the lights I will keep them on :-)
Reply
Old Apr 2, 2013 | 06:46 PM
  #15  
-shane-'s Avatar
-shane-
Thread Starter
Scooby Regular
iTrader: (40)
 
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 2,163
Likes: 0
From: Suffolk
Default

CTEK XS 0.8 12V 1.2A - 32A 6-Stage Battery Charger:Amazon:Car & Motorbike CTEK XS 0.8 12V 1.2A - 32A 6-Stage Battery Charger:Amazon:Car & Motorbike

Any good?
Reply
Old Apr 2, 2013 | 07:06 PM
  #16  
JonMc's Avatar
JonMc
Scooby Senior
iTrader: (51)
 
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 20,491
Likes: 2
From: Wherever I park my car, that's my home
Default

Looks very similar to mine
Reply
Old Apr 2, 2013 | 07:40 PM
  #17  
-shane-'s Avatar
-shane-
Thread Starter
Scooby Regular
iTrader: (40)
 
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 2,163
Likes: 0
From: Suffolk
Default

Originally Posted by JonMc
Looks very similar to mine
Nice one think ill buy it, still not used car and its now showing 10.8v so take it car will struggle to start.

Would it be best to wait to get battery conditioner on it, or can I just stick a jump pack on the battery and start it that way
Reply
Old Apr 2, 2013 | 09:19 PM
  #18  
madmarx's Avatar
madmarx
Scooby Regular
iTrader: (1)
 
Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 424
Likes: 0
From: Rotherham
Default

Battery voltage is usually termed as 12.5 = poor, 12.6 = good and 12.7 = Excellent. Any battery with an 11 volt or 10 volt charge is going to struggle if able to start at all on a cold start.
Reply
Old Apr 3, 2013 | 12:32 AM
  #19  
bioforger's Avatar
bioforger
Scooby Regular
iTrader: (1)
 
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 16,995
Likes: 5
From: Pig Hill, Wiltsh1te
Default

Have u considered the battery might be done/knackered, so y not buy a new battery? trickle charging will work for a few months if ure lucky or until u get stranded when it wont turn it over at all.
Reply
Old Apr 3, 2013 | 01:38 PM
  #20  
salsa-king's Avatar
salsa-king
Scooby Senior
25 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Feb 2000
Posts: 15,078
Likes: 46
From: Nottm
Default

Halfords do one for 25pounds. Ive lot one. Use it when car is parked up longer than 3days. Just plugs In like a phone charger.
Reply
Old Apr 3, 2013 | 02:06 PM
  #21  
-shane-'s Avatar
-shane-
Thread Starter
Scooby Regular
iTrader: (40)
 
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 2,163
Likes: 0
From: Suffolk
Default

Originally Posted by bioforger
Have u considered the battery might be done/knackered, so y not buy a new battery? trickle charging will work for a few months if ure lucky or until u get stranded when it wont turn it over at all.
I have thought about it but this is the battery is has

http://www.optimabatteries.co.uk/en/...-on-right.html

Cost about £150 2 years ago so shouldn't really be knacked just yet.
Reply
Old Apr 3, 2013 | 03:56 PM
  #22  
B4D HK's Avatar
B4D HK
Scooby Senior
iTrader: (15)
 
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 8,889
Likes: 0
From: Club Chairman - West Mids Imprezas
Default

Love my C-tek
Best money I ever spent

Spec C battery plus 2k miles a year (max) needs it!

Last edited by B4D HK; Apr 3, 2013 at 03:57 PM.
Reply
Old Apr 3, 2013 | 06:48 PM
  #23  
Osimabu's Avatar
Osimabu
Scooby Regular
iTrader: (2)
 
Joined: May 2011
Posts: 1,341
Likes: 0
From: .
Default

Seconded!
Reply
Old Apr 3, 2013 | 10:06 PM
  #24  
SirFozzalot's Avatar
SirFozzalot
Scooby Regular
 
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 19,633
Likes: 1
From: Essex
Default

Got myself a CTEK as well.

Nice bit of kit and works well.

I got the MSX 5.0 by the way

Last edited by SirFozzalot; Apr 3, 2013 at 10:09 PM. Reason: Model number added
Reply
Old Apr 3, 2013 | 11:05 PM
  #25  
salsa-king's Avatar
salsa-king
Scooby Senior
25 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Feb 2000
Posts: 15,078
Likes: 46
From: Nottm
Default

all you need
http://www.halfords.com/webapp/wcs/s...egoryId_255205
Reply
Old Apr 4, 2013 | 10:11 AM
  #26  
alistair's Avatar
alistair
Scooby Senior
 
Joined: Oct 1998
Posts: 2,015
Likes: 0
Default

Sounds much more like a knackered battery than needing a trickle charger to me.......
Reply
Old Apr 4, 2013 | 11:27 AM
  #27  
gw88's Avatar
gw88
Scooby Regular
 
Joined: Mar 2013
Posts: 56
Likes: 0
From: pembrokeshire
Default

Yep sounds like the battery has had it. Shouldn't be going down to 10v over the weekend. Have u tested the acid in it with a refractometer? Also check you have no 'dead' cells
Reply
Old Apr 4, 2013 | 09:37 PM
  #28  
-shane-'s Avatar
-shane-
Thread Starter
Scooby Regular
iTrader: (40)
 
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 2,163
Likes: 0
From: Suffolk
Default

It's now on a trickle charge so will see what happens, the led is saying battery charging and the option for dead battery isn't on
Reply
Related Topics
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
Mattybr5@MB Developments
Full Cars Breaking For Spares
34
Nov 7, 2024 04:10 PM
Scott@ScoobySpares
Full Cars Breaking For Spares
7
Dec 14, 2015 08:16 AM
Mattybr5@MB Developments
Full Cars Breaking For Spares
20
Oct 22, 2015 06:12 AM
blackandz
General Technical
0
Sep 12, 2015 07:01 PM




All times are GMT +1. The time now is 12:43 AM.