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Old 27 November 2017, 04:23 PM
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Wull
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Default Trickle chargers

Any recommendations for these?

Not had much experience with one but needing one for the Evo

Cheers
Old 27 November 2017, 04:38 PM
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iMook
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I've got two CTEK chargers which I leave on all the time to condition batteries. I've had one for about 5 years and it's never let me down. Originally came recommended by a mate who's used them for years.
Old 27 November 2017, 04:53 PM
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Shane
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Got the cheapest C-TEK hooked up to mine, came with a set of terminals that you can permanently wire in so it's a quick connect of a 2 pin plug under the bonnet every time I put it back in the garage. Been using it for a couple of years with no problems.
Old 27 November 2017, 07:07 PM
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as above the CTEK MXS 5.0

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/New-CTEK-...kAAOSwtnpaFcd9

Siv
Old 27 November 2017, 07:15 PM
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CTEK here too, had for a couple of years, can’t fault it
Old 27 November 2017, 09:01 PM
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Optimate 2, had it for about 4 years, does the job
Trev
Old 28 November 2017, 06:15 AM
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alcazar
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Another vote for the C-Tek MXS 5.0
Old 28 November 2017, 04:00 PM
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Wull
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The father in law has just declared that he has one, so I'll see what that's like first but if it's tat I'll go for the C-Tek, it seems to be a firm favourite.
Old 28 November 2017, 11:17 PM
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Wull
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Ordered the C-Tek one, the in laws one is a Lidl special and I don’t trust it.
Old 29 November 2017, 12:10 AM
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Might get one aswell. As i just have a standard charger at mo. Guessing you just hook it up to power supply and thats it.
Old 29 November 2017, 07:41 AM
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Wull
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Originally Posted by jaygsi
Might get one aswell. As i just have a standard charger at mo. Guessing you just hook it up to power supply and thats it.
From what I've read yeah, plus you can leave the car battery hooked up as it is. The instructions for the charger the father in law dropped off states that you need to remove the battery clamps before attaching, which isn't very useful.

The one I've purchased is supplied with crocodile clips or posts so it can be permantely attached and all you need to do is unclip it when you're done charging etc.
Old 29 November 2017, 11:22 AM
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Yep, mine just plugs in to the supplied connector.

Old 29 November 2017, 02:09 PM
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+1 for the Ctek 5.0, never had any issues with it.
Old 29 November 2017, 07:07 PM
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Mines the cheap XS0.8, works fine if being used as a trickle charger, you probably wouldn't want to charge a large battery from flat but keeps mine topped up with the alarm and tracker on.
Old 29 November 2017, 07:51 PM
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Any solar ones up to much cop?
Old 29 November 2017, 08:43 PM
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Just ordered one as like the quick connection option.
Old 30 November 2017, 08:51 PM
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Originally Posted by PT82
Any solar ones up to much cop?

I bought that AA one. Utter ****e. Doesn't work

https://shop.theaa.com/store/home/ca...-solar-charger

Last edited by joz8968; 30 November 2017 at 08:53 PM.
Old 30 November 2017, 08:58 PM
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However, I also have this portable, handheld jump starter.

https://www.google.co.uk/search?rlz=...76.HFXMslqmRrg

Bought on recommendation from a work colleague whose son has one. I was sceptical but decided to take the plunge...

...Works perfectly. Rescues flat batteries which have been left a few days, in cold weather.

Not sure if it would rescue a FULLY drained battery though....

Last edited by joz8968; 30 November 2017 at 09:36 PM.
Old 01 December 2017, 07:40 AM
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Hmmm ok, just wondering about how safe it is to leave these on charge for weeks on end. My Bosch battery died so decided to buy a cheap one as didn't want to spend out stupid money on another Bosch.

Bad idea, died after a few months. Not sure if over charged it or it just rubbish. But this is why I need one of these.


Originally Posted by Wull
From what I've read yeah, plus you can leave the car battery hooked up as it is. The instructions for the charger the father in law dropped off states that you need to remove the battery clamps before attaching, which isn't very useful.

The one I've purchased is supplied with crocodile clips or posts so it can be permantely attached and all you need to do is unclip it when you're done charging etc.
Old 01 December 2017, 08:05 AM
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Wull
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I think these are designed to be left on for long periods of time, weeks on end, even months on end.

The one my father in law brought to me was a Lidl one and I wasn’t keen on using it, too risky. I’d happily use it to charge a battery that’s failing to start a car, on site when I’m around but not for a long period of time when I’m not there.


That’s the car away now, what a farce getting it in there. I haven’t purchased an indoor cover yet but I’m undecided on whether to use one or not. Car was cleaned and wax applied so it should be ok. Just the trickle charger to connect up when it arrives and that’ll be it.
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Old 01 December 2017, 10:32 AM
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Got a basic c-tek charger on my beetle now for the last 2 years in the garage. It's great. Always starts without issue. Was only £30 or something like that and well worth the money. Having the quick release connector with cable wired to battery is a great option too.
Old 01 December 2017, 10:51 AM
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Originally Posted by jaygsi
Hmmm ok, just wondering about how safe it is to leave these on charge for weeks on end. My Bosch battery died so decided to buy a cheap one as didn't want to spend out stupid money on another Bosch.

Bad idea, died after a few months. Not sure if over charged it or it just rubbish. But this is why I need one of these.
The C-TEK ones are quite clever bits of kit and are designed for long term connection, think the longest mine has been left on is 2 months, like you mine would be flat after 2 weeks if not used.
Old 13 December 2017, 12:21 PM
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Wull
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I’m guessing number 7 is battery full, what is number 8??
Old 13 December 2017, 01:03 PM
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Originally Posted by Wull
I’m guessing number 7 is battery full, what is number 8??
Pulse - It maintains the battery at 95-100% capacity. It monitors the battery voltage and gives a pulse when necessary to keep the battery fully charged. Mine comes on about 10 days after I plug the charger in.
Old 13 December 2017, 01:22 PM
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Originally Posted by nozzavtr
Pulse - It maintains the battery at 95-100% capacity. It monitors the battery voltage and gives a pulse when necessary to keep the battery fully charged. Mine comes on about 10 days after I plug the charger in.
Perfect




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