12v battery charger recommendations
23 replies
KeithandMargaret replied on 27/10/2018 20:32
Posted on 27/10/2018 20:32
Could you consider a dashboard mounted Solar panel charger to keep the battery ticking over ?
It can be wired directly to the battery or through the cigar lighter socket if that is permanently live.
Ebay 'cheapies' or Halfords 'dearies' - dependent on budget.
Randomcamper replied on 27/10/2018 20:55
Posted on 27/10/2018 20:55
I have several CTEK XS0.8 models which I have hard wired to the M/H cab battery and one for my motorbike and another for the Toad, all hard wired.
It acts as a trickle/maintenance charger, keeps the batteries fully charged without damaging the electronics...........
https://www.ctek.com/products/vehicle/xs-0-8
Inexpensive on Ebay or Amazon.....
replied on 27/10/2018 21:04
Posted on 27/10/2018 20:32 by KeithandMargaretCould you consider a dashboard mounted Solar panel charger to keep the battery ticking over ?
It can be wired directly to the battery or through the cigar lighter socket if that is permanently live.
Ebay 'cheapies' or Halfords 'dearies' - dependent on budget.
replied on 27/10/2018 21:13
Posted on 27/10/2018 20:55 by RandomcamperI have several CTEK XS0.8 models which I have hard wired to the M/H cab battery and one for my motorbike and another for the Toad, all hard wired.
It acts as a trickle/maintenance charger, keeps the batteries fully charged without damaging the electronics...........
https://www.ctek.com/products/vehicle/xs-0-8
Inexpensive on Ebay or Amazon.....
EmilysDad replied on 27/10/2018 21:20
huskydog replied on 27/10/2018 21:55
Millcourt replied on 28/10/2018 08:20
Posted on 28/10/2018 08:20
Thought it might be a fire risk leaving a mains charger powered on and connected for long periods. Also, need to connect directly to battery with crocodile clips which I found not easy in the confines of a modern engine compartment and not able to close the bonnet! So went for one of these:
AA 5060114614185 Solar-Powered Car Battery Charger, Black
from Amazon, currently £22.80 with free delivery.
This is shipped with two leads - one for the usual 12v cigarette lighter socket and one for plugging into the OBD port. On most modern cars the 12v sockets are turned off with the ignition and can therefore not be used for charging in this way. I have been using this solar panel plugged directly into the OBD port for several months at a time over the last year. This has been without problem and the car has started first time on our return.
replied on 28/10/2018 09:38
Posted on 28/10/2018 08:20 by MillcourtThought it might be a fire risk leaving a mains charger powered on and connected for long periods. Also, need to connect directly to battery with crocodile clips which I found not easy in the confines of a modern engine compartment and not able to close the bonnet! So went for one of these:
AA 5060114614185 Solar-Powered Car Battery Charger, Black
from Amazon, currently £22.80 with free delivery.
This is shipped with two leads - one for the usual 12v cigarette lighter socket and one for plugging into the OBD port. On most modern cars the 12v sockets are turned off with the ignition and can therefore not be used for charging in this way. I have been using this solar panel plugged directly into the OBD port for several months at a time over the last year. This has been without problem and the car has started first time on our return.
hitchglitch replied on 28/10/2018 13:58
Posted on 28/10/2018 13:58
We have two CTek chargers for our cars which we leave directly connected to the car batteries when we are away. I phoned CTek to make absolutely sure that there was no problem with this because some cheap “trickle” chargers are not suitable for continual connection for more than a couple of weeks or so. A bit of an expensive solution unless you are going to use for smart recharging.
