MiataMark
Club Retro Rides Member
Posts: 2,963
Club RR Member Number: 29
|
Battery chargersMiataMark
@garra
Club Retro Rides Member 29
|
|
Having battery issues mainly caused by cars being used for short journeys and now it looks like my faithful ~40year old battery charger has called it a day. Need recommendations for a new charger, want something that will also 'condition' batteries. It will be used for topping up Discovery and Alfa batteries*, maintaining the battery in the MX5 and I've got an old leisure battery that I'd like to use for off-grid power in a shed with an inverter that probably needs reviving. CTEK seem to get good reviews are they good? Something like the MXS 3.8 (~£60). Probably should replace the batteries as well but at ~£100 each a bit of revival action first is worth a shot. Are Halfords Calcium batteries any good? The Disco does up to 3 short (less than 2 miles) trips a day, and the Alfa much the same but does get a monthly 600miles in 2 days trip, I think the Alfa battery was tipped over the edge by jump starting the Disco. Meanwhile the MX5 fires up first time every time despite sitting for weeks (jinxed that now though). Thanks for any help Mark
|
|
1990 Mazda MX-52012 BMW 118i (170bhp) - white appliance 2011 Land Rover Freelander 2 TD4 2003 Land Rover Discovery II TD52007 Alfa Romeo 159 Sportwagon JTDm
|
|
|
|
Jan 13, 2015 10:44:46 GMT
|
|
|
|
|
MiataMark
Club Retro Rides Member
Posts: 2,963
Club RR Member Number: 29
|
Battery chargersMiataMark
@garra
Club Retro Rides Member 29
|
Jan 13, 2015 11:47:24 GMT
|
That looks like a no-brainer to get, if they have one in store. Thanks for the info.
|
|
1990 Mazda MX-52012 BMW 118i (170bhp) - white appliance 2011 Land Rover Freelander 2 TD4 2003 Land Rover Discovery II TD52007 Alfa Romeo 159 Sportwagon JTDm
|
|
|
|
Jan 13, 2015 12:47:17 GMT
|
The Lidl chargers have an excellent reputation on other forums. I use one for my mobility scooter batteries as the standard charger doesn't keep them "topped up". I've used it to "recover" batteries that other chargers have failed to do anything with. LCD display of volts is is more useful than amps IMO The Lidl items aren't high output so connecting for a few hours isn't really viable - they are more like a min of overnight type.
BTW I've got a Honda ED400 generator that provides 12/ & 24v output only - no mains. It is a battery charging generator that is popular with boaters so they don't have to run the main engine to recharge battery banks. Useful for remote situations like barns, lock-up's etc if a vehicles has a flat battery as it puts enough charge in 30 mins or so for starting. Properly regulated unlike most modern 240v gennies that also have a 12v output.
|
|
|
|
MiataMark
Club Retro Rides Member
Posts: 2,963
Club RR Member Number: 29
|
Battery chargersMiataMark
@garra
Club Retro Rides Member 29
|
Jan 13, 2015 12:59:48 GMT
|
2 local Lidl's don't have them, will need to get something else but will keep an eye out for them at Lidl as a back up.
|
|
1990 Mazda MX-52012 BMW 118i (170bhp) - white appliance 2011 Land Rover Freelander 2 TD4 2003 Land Rover Discovery II TD52007 Alfa Romeo 159 Sportwagon JTDm
|
|
|
|
Jan 13, 2015 18:04:05 GMT
|
hi, Try again Thursday 15th, as that is the day they are on offer from. Colin
|
|
Last Edit: Jan 13, 2015 18:05:00 GMT by colnerov
|
|
MiataMark
Club Retro Rides Member
Posts: 2,963
Club RR Member Number: 29
|
Battery chargersMiataMark
@garra
Club Retro Rides Member 29
|
Jan 13, 2015 18:14:15 GMT
|
hi, Try again Thursday 15th, as that is the day they are on offer from. Colin Thanks for the info I will, assuming I can get the car started by then. Tried a jump start from the MX5 no way, but the old charger seems to be working again so it's on charge. But now the gearbox/clutch is playing up on the MX5!
|
|
1990 Mazda MX-52012 BMW 118i (170bhp) - white appliance 2011 Land Rover Freelander 2 TD4 2003 Land Rover Discovery II TD52007 Alfa Romeo 159 Sportwagon JTDm
|
|