Lali Posted March 18, 2002 Share Posted March 18, 2002 Anybody got one? where from?, different types etc...? Lali VVC-ya!, wouldnt wanna be ya!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jam Mad Posted March 18, 2002 Share Posted March 18, 2002 check ccc magazine feb issue... they reviewed trickle chargers.. actually, might have been march issue. unfortunately, i gave mine away when i had read them. j Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mike Bees Posted March 18, 2002 Share Posted March 18, 2002 I have one of these: http://www.race-technology.com/WebPage/Products/CHARGERS/ChargersMain.html It does exactly what it says on the tin. Mike Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Violet Elizabeth Posted March 18, 2002 Share Posted March 18, 2002 I use an Optimate from Newtronic. here. Not sure how I lived without it ! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Carl Posted March 18, 2002 Share Posted March 18, 2002 You can get a cheap very good trickle charger from Halfords for only £20. Been using one on both a crossflow and more recently on a K series and had no problems. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John Howe Posted March 18, 2002 Share Posted March 18, 2002 Did the same as Mike Bees... bought from Race tec. Clip it on and forget it - well worth having. JH Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CHRIS CLARK Posted March 18, 2002 Share Posted March 18, 2002 Draper Tools do a cheap and very effective one (about 20 UKP) and of course the CarCoon systems have one that powers the inflation fans and 'optimates' the battery too! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Area Representative Nick Chan Posted March 19, 2002 Area Representative Share Posted March 19, 2002 Hi, I have been thinking of getting one of these trickle chargers as well for my car. I know that the Optimate haas a well proven reputation but at £45'ish is it worth almost double the Race Tec one at £25? Does anyone know what else you get for your money? Will the Race tec one "recondition" the battery back to full strength from zero charge as the Optimate one seems to do? Also, is there a simple way of connecting the leads to the battery rather than removing the bonnet and (precariously) storing it in the garage whilst the car is sitting charging. I wondered if a cigarette lighter socket mounted under the dash might be an answer but then it would require a different power lead from the charger. Any comments appreciated. Nick Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Drumster Posted March 19, 2002 Share Posted March 19, 2002 Nick, My trickle charger is connected to the battery via a socket on the dashboard. Cut off the crocodile clips from the charger lead and insert a socket into the dashboard. Connect the socket directly to the battery with an appropriate amount of charger lead. Fit jack plug directly onto the remaining end of the charger lead. Place jack plug in socket in dashboard, switch on charger. Leave garage. Job done. The only additional item that is required that didn't come with the trickle charger (mine's an AirFlow)was the jack plug/socket combo. Chris Alston Se7ening - it's all miles and smile.gifsmile.gifsmile.gif 1800 Supersprint - Loud and Proud teeth.gif ...well it only sounds fast officer blush.gif Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Slarty Blat Fast Posted March 19, 2002 Share Posted March 19, 2002 Ditto - but I put an in-line plug connector behind the dash. I hate cutting holes in the car. Absolutely no hitchhikersthumbsdown.gif Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Violet Elizabeth Posted March 19, 2002 Share Posted March 19, 2002 Nick, The blurb on the Optimate would suggest that it tries to maintain battery condition by periodically de-charging and then re-charging the battery. Thus it constantly checks the state of the battery for accepting charge. Whether any of this makes it worth double the price of another charger I don't know. It works well, and I am happy to leave it connected for extended periods. You pays yer money, you takes yer choice. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sjwb Posted March 19, 2002 Share Posted March 19, 2002 Seems to be the way to go. I have a flying lead in the cockpit to which I attach the Optimate connector. I believe that the Optimate is accomodating to other battery types, ie gel. Steve B Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
markb905 Posted March 19, 2002 Share Posted March 19, 2002 I have used an Optimate charger for a number of years now on a bike without any problems, in this case it was conected all the time with the alarm armed. However having used it on the car I'm not sure if it affects the imobiliser or not, because having charged the car (VVC) for a number of days i had a problem disarming the car and had to press both buttons at the same time on the fob to sort the problem. I now use the charger without the car being armed. It may have been my fault for attaching it with the imobiliser armed in the first place!!!. only one thought to add to the connection issues is that the Optimate connector on the one i have does not have an in line fuse and would have thought that that would be a usefull safety item. Mark Bennett Edited by - markb905 on 19 Mar 2002 17:21:10 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Area Representative Nick Chan Posted March 19, 2002 Area Representative Share Posted March 19, 2002 Thanks for the advice. I think a fly lead under the dash sounds a good idea to minimise any drilling and to save removing the bonnet after each trip. Still undecided on whether to spend the extra £'s but probably be able to justify somehow to myself! Cheers Nick Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Andy Best Posted March 19, 2002 Share Posted March 19, 2002 Hi, I use an Optimate on the Bike, have had it for 6 years still works fine. I use a Race Technology one for the seven. I have the fly leads attached on both vehicles, the Sevens as Chris has done but I've not vetured to a socket in the dash I just tuck the lead away when I drive. As to performance of the two chargers they both seem to do the same everyday job, no complaints. I have recharged a car battery from not even a glimmer to carry on for another two years with the Optimate but never tried it with the Race Technology charger. The Optimate seems better made and does as it claims so it's handy to have around, on balance if you can justify the extra money thats the one I would buy. Andy Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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