Charging The Battery?

[M 80NGD]

Afternoon all,right then,here I go. Can anybody tell me the best way to charge my starting battery without taking it off?

The bongo as been converted,so it has got a leisure battery and electric hook-up. Would it charge the starting battery up

if I put the hook-up cable into its socket or would it be better to put a charger straight onto the starting battery?! The

starter battery is one of the maintenance free ones. Now it's getting colder out and not being able to afford to drive it as

often as I want,I'd like the battery to last through winter Thanks in advance,Lee.

[shaun.m]

the best way to keep your battery in good condition is a battery conditioner it moniters the battery and if it drops bellow a set voltage it pops in a charge we use them on the morgans and they are tip top

[mikeonb4c]

The leisure battery circuit is isolated from the starter battery circuit when engine is off so that won't work.

Provided your front ciggie lighter socket is still run from your starter battery, it would be nice to think (probably with ignition key in the Auxiliary position so that it is 'live') that you could put charge into the batter using a lead that allows your battery charger to push the power in through there. Any car leccies care to comment on that one? Also, security issues with key left in ignition but maybe a steering clamp would sort that one out.

Otherwise of course, fit a dedicated charger plug-in point in the cab and wire it up to the starter battery.

Mike

PS - Do you not want to just lift the bonnet and connect a charger there?

[M 80NGD]

The leisure battery circuit is isolated from the starter battery circuit when engine is off so that won't work.

Provided your front ciggie lighter socket is still run from your starter battery, it would be nice to think (probably with ignition key in the Auxiliary position so that it is 'live') that you could put charge into the batter using a lead that allows your battery charger to push the power in through there. Any car leccies care to comment on that one? Also, security issues with key left in ignition but maybe a steering clamp would sort that one out.

Otherwise of course, fit a dedicated charger plug-in point in the cab and wire it up to the starter battery.

Mike

PS - Do you not want to just lift the bonnet and connect a charger there?

Hi Mike,I don't mind lifting the bonnet,I just wanted to make it was safe with the battery being a non maintenance job!

Shaun.Ms' idea is a good thought though,I'll have to see how much battery conditioners are. My friend used to have one

on a Porsche,forgot all about that to be honest Cheers,Lee.

[dp bradford]

When I had battery problems I just used a single jump lead to connect the two battery positives together and used the charger powered by my hook-up to charge both batteries together. Worked for me

Dave

[shaun.m]

hi lee the compensaters that we use do come with crockodile clips and i think a plug arrangement so you can wire it to the battery and put the plug just behind the bumper for easy use, got a feeling they are about £50 hope this helps i am at work tomorow so i can check it out further if you are interested

[mikeonb4c]

Sorry yes, take it as read that the battery conditioner is a good idea. Make sure it is one that can handle a battery of the AmpHr rating of a Bongo starter battery. A (biker) mate at work was pushing me to buy one, but the one he pointed at was in fact only suitable for batteries of the motorcycle size/variety.

I like the jumplead idea too Simple yet effective. Am I right in saying you'd only need the +ve terminals connected as the -ve current would get there through the chassis earthing?

[shaun.m]

hi mike the amps wont be a problem we use it for aero 8 it can kick over a 4.8 l v8 from flat if left on over night but really it just maintains the battery at full charge

[dp bradford]

...I like the jumplead idea too Simple yet effective. Am I right in saying you'd only need the +ve terminals connected as the -ve current would get there through the chassis earthing?

Absolutely correct, Mike. The negatives are already connected via their chassis connections.



Dave

[mikeonb4c]

hi mike the amps wont be a problem we use it for aero 8 it can kick over a 4.8 l v8 from flat if left on over night but really it just maintains the battery at full charge

Whats the make and model dude so we can all look out for one - might tell my mate Slim Wallet to go find his mate Fat Wallet and send him to see me

PS - DP - Wahey! I got something right for a change. Are you listening, the wife

[shaun.m]

no problem mike i am at work tomorow so i will get all the info and post it on this thread

[francophile1947]

I got a charger from Aldi or Lidl (can't remember which ) for £9.99. It's only a maximum charge of 3.4Amps, but it works fine for keeping the leisure battery charged up. You can set it to charge either car or motorbike batteries - when fully charged it switches to standby and delivers a massive 0.1A charge

[M 80NGD]

hi lee the compensaters that we use do come with crockodile clips and i think a plug arrangement so you can wire it to the battery and put the plug just behind the bumper for easy use, got a feeling they are about £50 hope this helps i am at work tomorow so i can check it out further if you are interested

Cheers Shaun,that would be much appreciated. I've had a look on flea-bay,but most of them are only suitable for

motorbikes. Thanks to everybody else as well,your all very helpful

[bigdaddycain]

when fully charged it switches to standby and delivers a massive 0.1A charge

That's a good safe charge after the battery has been subjected to a dose of steroids john! The battery would appear full to bursting after a charge, but in fact it's just in an agitated state... The slow 0.1 amp trickle won't do it any harm at all,and would in fact make the charge more complete than a fast,high voltage pummeling!

Can i just remind anybody that is thinking of charging their battery to please remove the cell caps,use eye protection,and leave the battery standing untouched for at least an hour to cool,before even attempting to move it. Use all the lead supplied with the charger too,some years back, a mate of mine was blinded for life in one eye,when a battery exploded as he unplugged the charger! Cheery chap arent i?

http://www.carbasics.co.uk/how_to_charg ... attery.htm

[kawasaki kid]

Another one to watchout for is remembering to switch off the charger BEFORE disconnecting the clips to the battery - someone I knew forgot to do it and the the battery blew up -acid everywhere and the unfortunate lad copped a faceful - what happened was there was a spark when he disconnected the live lead off the battery terminal and the gas that the battery gave off whilst it was charging ignited.