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Old 11-12-2018, 10:15 PM
top_man_eldo top_man_eldo is offline
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Default Trickle Charger

Evening all, quick question, I'm guessing a few of the members on here will use a trickle charger to keep their battery charge topped up. I don't often use the car during Winter, and it will tend to drain it's battery within 4-5 weeks.

Am I able to keep my battery connected when using a trickle charger? Does anyone have any recommendations for a decent trickle charger? The car is a 2016 STi.
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Old 11-12-2018, 11:08 PM
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I use a ctek charger. Been using it for quite a few years and my rb5 starts every time even though it hasn’t moved for 2 years.

You put a permanently installed charge lead with connector on the battery. When you want to charge or leave car on charge you pop the bonnet, connect charger and close bonnet with lead coming out through a gap which is easy.

My charger has also revived some dead batteries as mine also has a conditioning function.

Worth every single penny. I think mine is the 5 amp version.
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Old 11-12-2018, 11:13 PM
top_man_eldo top_man_eldo is offline
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Thanks for the info, I'll check that one out.

Has anyone tried the solar chargers?
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Old 11-12-2018, 11:38 PM
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Another vote for ctek, got this one on mine. Great little piece of kit.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/CTEK-MXS-5-.../dp/B00FC42HAA
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Old 12-12-2018, 09:08 AM
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Yet another vote for check, whenever the cars not in use I connect it up and never had any battery problems.
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Old 12-12-2018, 10:01 AM
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+1 for ctek
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Old 12-12-2018, 12:29 PM
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The CTEk ones are really good - but I managed for years with the Halfords one which is only about £20!
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Old 12-12-2018, 07:36 PM
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Another one for C-TEK, I have the cheapest one and it's perfect as a trickle charger, not really up to charging car batteries from flat though.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B004RADN..._rrveCbXTKD1AC
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Old 12-12-2018, 09:54 PM
top_man_eldo top_man_eldo is offline
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Cheers fellas, I'll have a look at the C-TEK chargers tonight and will order one as need to get this sorted!

When I use these trickle chargers, can I leave the battery terminals connected? I've always disconnected and removed batteries when charging them personally.
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Old 12-12-2018, 10:06 PM
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Most come with a lead you hardwire to the battery there’s then a quick disconnect plug to the charger- I led mine to the front grille as I parked facing the garage, just ran the lead under the door and plugged in:
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Old 12-12-2018, 10:26 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by top_man_eldo View Post
Cheers fellas, I'll have a look at the C-TEK chargers tonight and will order one as need to get this sorted!

When I use these trickle chargers, can I leave the battery terminals connected? I've always disconnected and removed batteries when charging them personally.
Battery can stay connected to car, so saves hassle. Just add the terminals on the right of the pic below to the battery, and then its as simple as plug/unplug the connector each time



edit/ whoops that image wasn't that large on google
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  #12  
Old 12-12-2018, 10:40 PM
top_man_eldo top_man_eldo is offline
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Thanks fellas, I've just bought the MXS 5.0 model so will try it out tomorrow when it arrives!

Thanks for your help.
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