David Jenkins
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| posted on 16/11/04 at 10:39 AM |
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Battery trickle chargers
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
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stephen_gusterson
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| posted on 16/11/04 at 10:48 AM |
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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]
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David Jenkins
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| posted on 16/11/04 at 10:52 AM |
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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
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Peteff
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| posted on 16/11/04 at 06:14 PM |
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These ones?
http://www.accumate.co.uk/it010001.html
Most car parts outlets have some version of them.
yours, Pete
I went into the RSPCA office the other day. It was so small you could hardly swing a cat in there.
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JoelP
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| posted on 16/11/04 at 06:46 PM |
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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.
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tractorboy
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| posted on 16/11/04 at 07:57 PM |
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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.
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Deckman001
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| posted on 16/11/04 at 08:04 PM |
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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
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jack trolley
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 posted on 16/11/04 at 08:32 PM |
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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.
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splitrivet
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| posted on 16/11/04 at 10:06 PM |
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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
I used to be a Werewolf but I'm alright nowwoooooooooooooo
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David Jenkins
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| posted on 17/11/04 at 08:18 AM |
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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
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bob
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| posted on 17/11/04 at 09:23 AM |
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Or
what about solar power charging
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=324&item=5535588406&rd=1
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David Jenkins
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| posted on 17/11/04 at 09:52 AM |
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I did think about these, but unfortunately the car's in a dark garage, and no window nearby!
David
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bob
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| posted on 17/11/04 at 02:30 PM |
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I think they are supplied with enough lead to take the panel outside the door or on the roof.
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Rob Lane
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| posted on 17/11/04 at 03:48 PM |
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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
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stephen_gusterson
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| posted on 17/11/04 at 06:55 PM |
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nice to see you came back, rob
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David Jenkins
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| posted on 17/11/04 at 07:44 PM |
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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:
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
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Rob Lane
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| posted on 17/11/04 at 09:56 PM |
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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.
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Rob Lane
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| posted on 17/11/04 at 10:30 PM |
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Found the images, they are jpg.
Don't know why I thought it was this year, it has a '98 date !!!
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Rob Lane
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| posted on 18/11/04 at 01:28 PM |
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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
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