Hi again, 

 

As a locked down 'vulnerable 80 yr old' I worry that my, and many other, cars will stand a chance of losing battery charge over the coming months.

I already have a modern classic on  my drive with a smart charger attached. This has been a real boon because a rarely used vehicle is ready to start at any time without continual attention and re-attaching the charger etc.

 

Looking on other posts and it seems that the rear 12 v socket is 'live' at all times ie connected to the battery, even when everything is switched off. It seems that if that is the case an easy battery connection for a 'smart' battery charger would be that socket. Can anyone see a flaw in my logic? If so I'd like to know about it!

Edited 25 March, 20206 yr by Sandgroper

I'd be interested in the answer to this too.

The battery in my car seems to be on the way out - drops to 11v after a few days of inactivity - but there's not much chance of getting a new one coded for the next few months.

Voltage is fine with the engine running (14.5 at idle), so I'm pretty sure it's either a dodgy battery, or just the fact that I don't use the car enough to make up for the self-discharge/power drain.

 

I'm hoping that connecting it to my CTEK charger will keep it going, and I'd prefer to charge via a 12v socket rather than the battery terminals for convenience.

1 hour ago, Sandgroper said:

Hi again, 

 

As a locked down 'vulnerable 80 yr old' I worry that my, and many other, cars will stand a chance of losing battery charge over the coming months.

I already have a modern classic on  my drive with a smart charger attached. This has been a real boon because a rarely used vehicle is ready to start at any time without continual attention and re-attaching the charger etc.

 

Looking on other posts and it seems that the rear 12 v socket is 'live' at all times ie connected to the battery, even when everything is switched off. It seems that if that is the case an easy battery connection for a 'smart' battery charger would be that socket. Can anyone see a flaw in my logic? If so I'd like to know about it!

The front 12v socket is also always on. So if you have a solar panel thingy, you can put it on the dash and charge. 

 

Otherwise I reckon just start it every week and let it idle for a bit or take it for a drive. Alone of course . 

2 minutes ago, KeteCantek said:

The front 12v socket is also always on. So if you have a solar panel thingy, you can put it on the dash and charge. 

 

Otherwise I reckon just start it every week and let it idle for a bit or take it for a drive. Alone of course . 

 

Are the rear sockets live too?

Just now, Clockworks said:

 

Are the rear sockets live too?

I have not tested it so not sure about that . 

51 minutes ago, Clockworks said:

 

Are the rear sockets live too?

Yes, I used it with a solar charger to keep mine going with a dodgy battery.

Excellent. Thanks guys

Personally I'd be wary of connecting it that way as you never know what the route is between socket and battery.  If I need to top up (similar scenario with short commutes on winter mornings) I just connect my CTek to the battery post and dedicated earth point under the bonnet then tuck the cable down between the headlight and the grill and under the garage door.

 

Connecting directly to the battery is a no-no because of the 'smartness' of the battery system these days hence my caution over the 12v socket method.

My superb is parked in an underground garage for many days now, and I fear the battery might drain... Is it ok to keep a smart charger connected to the battery for the time the car is sitting there? We are on emergency lockdown in Portugal and I don't REALLY need to go anywhere for several days still, so I don't want to get arrested by telling an officer "I'm just driving around to charge the battery"...

From what I just read above I should not connect the charger directly to the battery terminals?

 

Cheers!

In simple terms it comes down to being able to attach a charger simply, without digging down to the battery every time. Just a socket, water proofed,  located in an easily accessed point would make things easy.

 

On another thread a LCD voltmeter was suggested as a low consumption method of checking on battery condition.

3 minutes ago, pcspinheiro said:

My superb is parked in an underground garage for many days now, and I fear the battery might drain... Is it ok to keep a smart charger connected to the battery for the time the car is sitting there? We are on emergency lockdown in Portugal and I don't REALLY need to go anywhere for several days still, so I don't want to get arrested by telling an officer "I'm just driving around to charge the battery"...

From what I just read above I should not connect the charger directly to the battery terminals?

 

Cheers!

The method seems to be to attach the earth (-ve) terminal to the chassis earth point rather than the battery terminal. I must admit that my Banner smart charger has been connected to the battery terminals for some three years now (on a Triumph GT6 ) and the battery is always ready to go. Later chargers may  be more sensitive of course.

From an electrical point of view, if there are no electronics in the way, I see no difference in connecting directly or not... 

I just read the manual (last resort, I know...) and they to state to connect the charger to the car's ground, not to the (-) terminal directly. It's just a metal flap sitting right there by the battery... 

 

 

This may be of use to some...

 

 

Also just read the manual and it seems that there is a difference between cars with start -stop and those witbout.

 

With start - stop should utilise the chassis earth tag rather than the negative battery pole for the negative charger connection. The positive charger connections are always to the battery pole +ve.

 

Those without the start- stop should use the battery poles for both conntctions.

At least it's not like my wife's Honda Jazz - there is no negative point and the manual says take it to a dealer if it needs charging 🤔