Beach Buggy .Info

Beach Buggy Help Zone => Beach Buggy Electrical Help => Topic started by: bacos69 on June 08, 2019, 10:00:56 PM

Title: Battery Conditioner/Charger Garage Hookup
Post by: bacos69 on June 08, 2019, 10:00:56 PM
Hi Guys & Gals,
I wondered if anyone has experience and can recommend a battery trickle charger/conditioner etc which i can plug my buggy into (and leave plugged in) while it is asleep in the garage to make sure the battery is in tip top condition for when i want to drive it about.
Many Thanks, A.
Title: Re: Battery Conditioner/Charger Garage Hookup
Post by: pepsi81 on June 09, 2019, 06:13:43 AM

(https://i.postimg.cc/3W9nZfLq/C4201-B09-D190-477-C-A099-106-A739-FBF00.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/3W9nZfLq)

This is what I use. It's brill and very reasonably priced.
It's a Defender 4A electronic smart charger 👍
Title: Re: Battery Conditioner/Charger Garage Hookup
Post by: Doon L001 on June 09, 2019, 06:45:24 AM
Alternatively drive it regularly
Title: Re: Battery Conditioner/Charger Garage Hookup
Post by: Luddite on June 10, 2019, 08:14:52 AM
I used an Oxford Oximiser.

Some time during this winter it failed, causing a deep discharge and failure of my expensive and less than a year old AGM battery.

Not recommended!
Title: Re: Battery Conditioner/Charger Garage Hookup
Post by: bacos69 on June 10, 2019, 08:21:29 PM
Thanks for guidance guys and gals..
To answer a point... I would drive it regularly but work/kids often make that impractical and i want to know it is there ready as and when i want it.  ;-)up
Title: Re: Battery Conditioner/Charger Garage Hookup
Post by: Hunter on June 10, 2019, 08:37:31 PM
I use one of these,
CTEK MXS 5.0 Fully Automatic Battery Charger (Charges, Maintains and Reconditions Car and Motorcycle Batteries) 12V, 5 Amp - UK Plug

we have been using them at work for years with the cars in the showrooms plugged in to them while they are on show for a couple of months at a time.

H
Title: Re: Battery Conditioner/Charger Garage Hookup
Post by: Krug on June 11, 2019, 09:27:14 AM
I have used CTEK for the last 8 years and found it very good.  Cant remember the model number but it does have the full re-condition function (that interestingly I have never used in my battery but it did come on when a friend used it).   They are not cheap but you get what you pay for.   I have the leads permanently connected to the battery with the waterproof plug.  So its dead easy to plug it in when the car is not being used.
Title: Re: Battery Conditioner/Charger Garage Hookup
Post by: Doon L001 on June 11, 2019, 01:09:49 PM
Quote from: bacos69 on June 10, 2019, 08:21:29 PM
Thanks for guidance guys and gals..
To answer a point... I would drive it regularly but work/kids often make that impractical and i want to know it is there ready as and when i want it.  ;-)up

Sorry about my comment re driving it, that's all I use plus my dodgy sense of humour, couldn't resist.  ::)

Worth making sure there's nothing fitted that can drain it, I have an isolation switch. USB chargers are quite a common add on but unlike the old ciggy lighter plug they draw current all the time and will flatten batteries, ditto many radios and of course clocks.

Something else to consider is if you have an alternator it won't charge a flat battery as it needs power itself, unlike a Genny, so a bump start won't get the battery charging

Got me worried now

All the best
Dave
Title: Re: Battery Conditioner/Charger Garage Hookup
Post by: Hormone on June 11, 2019, 10:26:16 PM
Hi

I use an Oxford optomiser for my scooter and a Ctek for my old motorhome but I don't think you can beat the Accumates for real long term charging and conditioning.
The thing is to keep a regular eye on things and occasionally disconnect the charger and leave for a couple of hours, then stick a meter accross to check the voltage  ;-)up
Title: Re: Battery Conditioner/Charger Garage Hookup
Post by: bacos69 on June 17, 2019, 08:39:40 PM
Thanks for the advice everyone!
I have gone with the CTEK MXS 5.0 and it is on the buggy now just doing an initial check and charge before my MOT tomorrow!