Keeping a battery charged while not in use

Stealthirl · 26-05-2011 12:04am #1

Any one have any thoughts on how to keep a charge in the battery while a car is not in use that work ?

Due to the way my alarm is used theres a constand drain meaning the charge will only hold 4 or 5 days max before its dead

The car will be comeing off the road and will be parked up at the side of my house in the open.I was hopeing someone could recomend something that would keep the bat charged so the alarm still works ect rather then idleing the car mid week and takeing it for a drive at the weekend

shinikins · 26-05-2011 12:22am

My boyfriend just fitted a thingy on his car battery a Morgan Battery disconnect switch. It attaches to the negative side of the battery terminal and is basically a knob that you twist to turn off the power. Seems to work, he hasn't had to recharge the battery yet, and its just a simple matter of popping the bonnet for two seconds to twist it back on if he ever needs to use the car.

Stealthirl · 26-05-2011 12:29am

Thanks but that would still disconect the power to the alarm

I tryed a solar charger but it never worked right

I think im goin to have to try find something i can plug into the house mains that will convert it to 12V and thus keep the battery toped up,it would need to have an auto off tho so as not to over charge it

Esel · 26-05-2011 12:34am

Maplin's do a solar charger (slow trickle) for about €15. Comes with cigarette lighter connection and crocodile clips (if your lighter is off when ignition off).

Edit: Missed where you said you tried one...

shinikins · 26-05-2011 12:35am

Stealthirl wrote: »

Thanks but that would still disconect the power to the alarm
I tryed a solar charger but it never worked right

I think im goin to have to try find something i can plug into the house mains that will convert it to 12V and thus keep the battery toped up,it would need to have an auto off tho so as not to over charge it

He said your alarm should be connected to the loom of the negative, just connect it to the other side of this device so its always on but everything else isnt, kinda pointless though.

robtri · 26-05-2011 8:19am

if solar is out...

then something like this could be used, if you can park your car near an electrical socket

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/12V-Automatic-Battery-Charger-4A-Maintainer-NEW-Tender-_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQhashZitem27ba61a7f9QQitemZ170630686713QQptZMotorsQ5fCarQ5fTruckQ5fPartsQ5fAccessories

CJhaughey · 26-05-2011 9:31am

OP get an Optimate charger they are safe for extended use as they are designed for motorcycle use.
They have a program where it checks for charge every 30 mins and charges if needed.

Lucifer · 26-05-2011 10:03am

I got a CTEK battery charger recently. It will not over charge and can be left on a car for extended periods. It also claims to recondition weak batterys by pulse charging. I tried it on a battery that has been in a car for 2 years sitting up, was completely dead, left it on the charger for 24 hours, refit it to the car, started it and drove for about 5 mins, left it a week, and it started first time. Have a look here at a few different battery chargers http://www.autoexpress.co.uk/products/products/212376/battery_charger_test.html

Keeping a battery charged while not in use

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