Just looking for some advice on an optimate type device but for a car not a bike.

We've one car that will probably not be driven over winter and need to keep the battery topped up and conditioned.

 

I've looked up optimate but everything is for bikes.

I think the CTEK range is what is commonly used to maintain batteries.

I can recommend the Ring smart charger.

@AspmanI assume we are not talking a nice simple battery type like for a Suzuki Jimny,

So something more involved like modern vehicles. 

MINI or the like?

 

Just been out sorting out my extension cable, greenhouse heater and the charger i used for cars and bikes and that i plug in and unplug as needed, and take the car a few miles each week.

 

This is as the cold nights are coming this week. 

All pre winter stuff done yesterday & this morning, coolant check, locks, bonnet catches, door seals and hatch, windscreen wash, hinges, tyres / pressures. 

Edited 14 September, 20223 yr by roottoot

I've got a NOCO Genius 10 

Make sure you are looking for a maintenance charger and not a trickle charger - explainer HERE.

On 14/09/2022 at 11:25, roottoot said:

@AspmanI assume we are not talking a nice simple battery type like for a Suzuki Jimny,

So something more involved like modern vehicles. 

MINI or the like?

 

Just been out sorting out my extension cable, greenhouse heater and the charger i used for cars and bikes and that i plug in and unplug as needed, and take the car a few miles each week.

 

This is as the cold nights are coming this week. 

All pre winter stuff done yesterday & this morning, coolant check, locks, bonnet catches, door seals and hatch, windscreen wash, hinges, tyres / pressures. 

 

Well tbh yes for the Mini right now, but the Jimny will probably need something come the spring.

Ring and CTEK look worth investigating. I really wanted something that lets me leave the battery in the car and these do

CTek seem to be favoured in the MX5 community for laying cars up over winter...

10 minutes ago, skomaz said:

CTek seem to be favoured in the MX5 community for laying cars up over winter...

I have a CTek car charger (which includes a maintenance capability) and a couple of small battery chargers.  Apart from some at times quirky use of English in the instructions all have performed well for the last 3 years or so.

So this might sound stupid but I can't see clearly if either the Ring or CTEK maintainers can be used whilst the care battery is still connected.

 

I really don't want to have to take it out and have the hassle of recovering the car's settings.

 

Do they work in-situe? It's implied but only implied.

11 minutes ago, Aspman said:

I really don't want to have to take it out and have the hassle of recovering the car's settings.

 

Do they work in-situe? It's implied but only implied.

 

The NOCO I have just connects to the jumpstart points under the bonnet and can be left connected as removing the battery means removing the passenger seat so not really practical 

On a recent car with battery management module it's a bad idea to remove batteries to charge them, because that added charge will confuse the system by being unaccounted for.

 

Have ordered CTEK CS One. It's a dear one but since it does everything for you including sorting out the polarity I can't make a mistake and the Mrs will be much more confortable with it.

Thanks all.

On 23/09/2022 at 16:48, Aspman said:

So this might sound stupid but I can't see clearly if either the Ring or CTEK maintainers can be used whilst the care battery is still connected.

 

I really don't want to have to take it out and have the hassle of recovering the car's settings.

 

Do they work in-situe? It's implied but only implied.

For a normal, smart charger, there will be no issues with charging the battery while still on the vehicle - important to follow the instruction that the Negative charger connector be attached to the metal tag on the firewall - NOT to the battery Negative post. 

Instruction for the Coupe are to use the battery terminals. It doesn't have a seperate negative mounting point. Which is odd since the Countryman clearly does.

 

Battery appears to be knackered anyway. Getting discharge warning 15min after taking it off the charger. Not a shock (fnar fnar) really it being a 10yr old battery.

 

Should be covered under warranty, or it is according to the Mini site. But also a bulb went, going to replace found that the trim int he wheelarch was loose and there was no cover over the access to the lights. Hopefully the buld has gone and water hasn't buggered the electrics in there. Will be pushing to have that fixed too.

On 15/09/2022 at 13:35, Aspman said:

Ring and CTEK look worth investigating. I really wanted something that lets me leave the battery in the car and these do

 

You can put rings on the battery (or appropriate) terminals and then you have an accessible connector.

The CTEK claim they are suitable for maintainance charging and I believe are what is supplied by a number of vehicle OEM.

 

I actually use the cigarette lighter (12v power) adapter and charge through there most of the time.

 

Edited 3 October, 20223 yr by cheezemonkhai