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Hi all.
I get the commodore out for a run once a week or so but often the battery has gone flat and i have to put it on the charger. I always unplug it from the car before i do, but what i would like to know, is can i just stick the charger terminals on the battery and charge it up while its still connected to the car? Its an arlec one, but i have lost the box so unsure of what its limitations are. Id like to just stick the charger on while im not driving it but not sure if its supposed to work like that..
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i always disconect the terminals, dunno if you could leave them on?
you can get a trickle charger that you can hook up and leave between starts, it only puts in enough charge to keep it topped up, maybe you could try one of those?
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id maybe think about it on a newer car but on every old car iv ever had including some with ecu's i just slap it on the battery fully connected, never had an issue and i dont see how its even possible to stuff something up, relays etc dont just magically turn on
does your arlec automatically turn to trickle mode?
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Battery chargers have a "trickle mode" that they go into,and I also have left the car hooked up,really no difference to leaving your battery hooked up to your electrical system as it will reduce charging,but check batt water levels ,or get a wall timer if your really worried. |
Jim in Adelaide.. |
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To be on the safe side,definitely disconnect the negative lead when charging.Apparently,you can damage parts in the alternator if you don't.Also, disconnect battery when car is not in use, so the battery stays charged. mike.
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Buy a dedicated trickle charger.
If your battery is going flat in a week it is either stuffed or there is something draining power that shouldnt be.
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If the car or whatever isn't being used much you need to condition the battery properly to avoid stratification. When a battery is idle that means gassing it regularly (like monthly) to agitate the electrolyte. When a vehicle is driven this happens by movement. A really good charger will do this automatically for you. Gassing is achieved by using a higher voltage and causing the electrolyte to bubble Hydrogen. This is very important in static batteries eg SPS (stand-alone power systems) or UPS applications. |
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Thanks guys. Lots of great replies there.. And everyone is probably right!
I think it maybe has a trickle charge. It has the 3 led lights and it goes green and stays lit once charged...
It has an immobiliser with a flashing light which might drain it..
yes i prob should buy a dedicated trickle charger...
Forgot to mention its a VH with VN EFI engine so not sure of the electrics situation...
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OOPs. wasnt finished yet..
Yes the battery is prob getting a bit old too.
The cars going to the auto sprky next week so i might take the unit in with me and just ask him if it can be used that way...
Thanks heaps again for all the answers, and Byron wow.. You truly are the guru!
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I only just learnt that in the Diploma of Renewable energy I have just about completed. |
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i've seen small solar power trickle charges at a auto shop which might be good for what you want no power needed which is a bonus |
why drink & drive when you can drift & slide |
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Hey Hainzy
Remember every time you disconnect the battery you'll have that rough running until that throttle body sensor thang resets itself.
Just another insentive to sort it so you can leave the battery connected.
Cheers
Jeremy |
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Thanks mate. Yep thats true and to be honest thats one of the main reasons I dont want to keep disconnecting the battery. Its no big deal popping the terminals off but it does seem to make he car run like crap when i start it up each time.
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quote:
Originally posted by hainzy
Hi all.
I get the commodore out for a run once a week or so but often the battery has gone flat and i have to put it on the charger. I always unplug it from the car before i do, but what i would like to know, is can i just stick the charger terminals on the battery and charge it up while its still connected to the car? Its an arlec one, but i have lost the box so unsure of what its limitations are. Id like to just stick the charger on while im not driving it but not sure if its supposed to work like that..
Not all trickle chargers actually switch off completely and many of them eventually overcharge the battery. Some do switch off but dont switch back on again if the battery drops off over a few months. I'd recommend the Battery Fighter model BFA012, I use 3 of them at home. http://www.batterydoctor.com.au/store/view_product.php?product=BFA012 You could safely leave the Battery Fighter connected for several years if you wanted, I wouldnt do that with most trickle chargers.
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Thanks mate. That battery fighter looks like a good unit. The other reason which i forgot to mention, is also for my sandman which is currently on straight gas. Starts no worries on normal days but in the cold ol winter in ballarat the battery really struggles to get the straight gas turning over before dying... Charger would be great for that too..
Thanks for all the replies...
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