Anyone know where I can get one of those battery chargers that trickle a little bit of current into a car battery to keep it alive during idle periods?
I climbed into the car on Saturday morning, put on my helmet, cranked it over... except I didn't! The engine was stone cold and it barely cranked over... was OK a few weeks ago, but the weather wasn't so cold!

I wonder if it's possible to fit a crank handle - easy to make a fitting on the end of the crank, but difficult to thread a handle from the front!

rgds,

David

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=30917&item=7934222963&rd=1&ssPageName=WDVW


battery efficiency reduces with cold..... , and oil friction goes up, so keeping it charged might not help if the battery doesnt have a high enough starting surge capability........

how small a battery did you fit? wasnt it the same as the one I chose? from halfrauds?

mine turns over the V6 well in the summer - dunno how it would cope in the cold - if i could get to my car id give it a go, but i have to dig it out first.

atb

steve

[Edited on 16/11/04 by stephen_gusterson]

Yep - it's the standard size for the Escort (same as you suggested?)

It was a combination of a slightly undercharged battery and stone-cold 20W/50 oil. A cold battery is less efficient as well.

The situation wasn't helped by my son, who drove over one end of my jump leads a few weeks ago...

rgds,

David

http://www.accumate.co.uk/it010001.html
Most car parts outlets have some version of them.

i find the best approach is to remove the battery +ve terminal during long breaks. maybe even bring the battery inside over winter! ok, maybe thats a bit much...

a booster pack is also a great device. i regularly (every morning...) use one to start my van! need to go and put it on charge now actually... machine mart sell a nice one with a compresser and a light built in.

a couple of blokes at work use them on thier bikes ,but i dont know what sort of power they use (even if one of them is a soddin' great 1000cc v- twin monster thing) he swears by his when his bike is layed up over the winter months.

I think i'll use one of the two 65Ah that i aquired the other day, to jump the car when it's finnished , keep one at the garage and one at home on charge he he, got the charger at the same time as well

Jason

I have one of these
It's only £9.95 at Argos, but only available at the larger Argos Extra stores.
Looks v. similar to 1st Ebay one.

Those booster jobbies are just the job use mine quite regulary on my bike,havent argos or someone got one on offer for 18 squids or so.
Money well spent.
Cheers,
Bob

Thanks everyone...

It's the posh ones like Mr O'ffrench described I was thinking of - the ones that actaully monitor the condition of the battery as well as charge it.

Expensive tho' - something for the Xmas list!

rgds,

David

what about solar power charging

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=324&item=5535588406&rd=1

I did think about these, but unfortunately the car's in a dark garage, and no window nearby!

David

I think they are supplied with enough lead to take the panel outside the door or on the roof.

David,

Can you electronic homebrew ? I have a straightforward design for a maintenance trickle charger from Elektor Electronics magazine.

I built one and use it all the time the car is stood in garage. It keeps the battery nice and healthy.

Rob Lane

nice to see you came back, rob

Rob,

I certainly can! And if the Elektor article isn't too old, I'll be able to get a PCB from them as well...



David

quote:

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Originally posted by Rob Lane
David,

Can you electronic homebrew ? I have a straightforward design for a maintenance trickle charger from Elektor Electronics magazine.

I built one and use it all the time the car is stood in garage. It keeps the battery nice and healthy.

Rob Lane

---

David,

I'll hunt it out and scan it for you. It's an issue sometime this year.

Steve,

Thanks. I'm about but I'm very careful and now extremely selective about posting.
The original issue has not gone away.
I barred myself from posting for a while.

Found the images, they are jpg.

Don't know why I thought it was this year, it has a '98 date !!!

I've also posted the pics of the article in my Photo archive for anyone else who is interested.

It's a simple single sided board which could easily be done with a Dalo pen and a bit of circuit board.

Parts should be readily available.

Rob Lane