Just replaced battery on my nearly five year old octavia. I was advised to get a trickle charger as I only do short journeys. Has anyone any suggestions to what type , ie electric or solar power, or if it is indeed necessary.

Depends! How short are these short journeys and how often?

Only a few local miles , not every day. Do around 2000 miles a year.

It would never hurt to hook it up to a trickle charger during the weekend or something. I'd be more concerned about the engine becoming all gunked up.

CTEK are by far the best, used by just about all the large car collection guys and supplied as standard by the likes of Ferrari, McLaren etc.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/CTEK-Battery-Automatic-Temperature-Compensation/dp/B00FC42HAA/ref=sr_1_4?crid=2EC15A9MXKUWT&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.s-FFMb2ZlvtlGyYKmQPTmtRfDPlhF-UQ266XDw2irrj9yU0iPFtmAFglHT-QhfKRX-P_tUuJ0YVwvqJDiTF-sGK1yUOFW6CsVzz409ZKS3T9HdcxBlmTgjpbcLo6Xyf7ZvgL0LCUJ_Tr71i7CcSUY3g80Hl_4JjaUYHR6A9FEtTZe-f5sPHMFiAtSSD8rE-m-etseX7KnU0Oie7tzJmZOgSTW53ZYsukynQuqhsh4W7BJKPbGSnjCaspQ0-NIpHPxxNCtxBjdUKKcKnq523uZ_tCZefSEX1yC0e13rZL0KY.wTotZJ_St3QKFBbrjwKKH3PpuvqH7AQ-Wm-BsvgN4qc&dib_tag=se&keywords=ctek&qid=1747819824&sprefix=ctek%2Caps%2C118&sr=8-4&th=1

I have the fully automated and APP controlled CTEK CS One.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/CTEK-Maintenance-Technology-Compatible-Motorcycles/dp/B09KS9T7DG/ref=sr_1_8?crid=2EC15A9MXKUWT&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.s-FFMb2ZlvtlGyYKmQPTmtRfDPlhF-UQ266XDw2irrj9yU0iPFtmAFglHT-QhfKRX-P_tUuJ0YVwvqJDiTF-sGK1yUOFW6CsVzz409ZKS3T9HdcxBlmTgjpbcLo6Xyf7ZvgL0LCUJ_Tr71i7CcSUY3g80Hl_4JjaUYHR6A9FEtTZe-f5sPHMFiAtSSD8rE-m-etseX7KnU0Oie7tzJmZOgSTW53ZYsukynQuqhsh4W7BJKPbGSnjCaspQ0-NIpHPxxNCtxBjdUKKcKnq523uZ_tCZefSEX1yC0e13rZL0KY.wTotZJ_St3QKFBbrjwKKH3PpuvqH7AQ-Wm-BsvgN4qc&dib_tag=se&keywords=ctek&qid=1747819824&sprefix=ctek%2Caps%2C118&sr=8-8&ufe=app_do%3Aamzn1.fos.0fa28f01-6fca-4422-af4e-d52d5ad71bfe&th=1

On 21/05/2025 at 12:32, logiclee said:

CTEK are by far the best, used by just about all the large car collection guys and supplied as standard by the likes of Ferrari, McLaren etc.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/CTEK-Battery-Automatic-Temperature-Compensation/dp/B00FC42HAA/ref=sr_1_4?crid=2EC15A9MXKUWT&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.s-FFMb2ZlvtlGyYKmQPTmtRfDPlhF-UQ266XDw2irrj9yU0iPFtmAFglHT-QhfKRX-P_tUuJ0YVwvqJDiTF-sGK1yUOFW6CsVzz409ZKS3T9HdcxBlmTgjpbcLo6Xyf7ZvgL0LCUJ_Tr71i7CcSUY3g80Hl_4JjaUYHR6A9FEtTZe-f5sPHMFiAtSSD8rE-m-etseX7KnU0Oie7tzJmZOgSTW53ZYsukynQuqhsh4W7BJKPbGSnjCaspQ0-NIpHPxxNCtxBjdUKKcKnq523uZ_tCZefSEX1yC0e13rZL0KY.wTotZJ_St3QKFBbrjwKKH3PpuvqH7AQ-Wm-BsvgN4qc&dib_tag=se&keywords=ctek&qid=1747819824&sprefix=ctek%2Caps%2C118&sr=8-4&th=1

I have the fully automated and APP controlled CTEK CS One.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/CTEK-Maintenance-Technology-Compatible-Motorcycles/dp/B09KS9T7DG/ref=sr_1_8?crid=2EC15A9MXKUWT&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.s-FFMb2ZlvtlGyYKmQPTmtRfDPlhF-UQ266XDw2irrj9yU0iPFtmAFglHT-QhfKRX-P_tUuJ0YVwvqJDiTF-sGK1yUOFW6CsVzz409ZKS3T9HdcxBlmTgjpbcLo6Xyf7ZvgL0LCUJ_Tr71i7CcSUY3g80Hl_4JjaUYHR6A9FEtTZe-f5sPHMFiAtSSD8rE-m-etseX7KnU0Oie7tzJmZOgSTW53ZYsukynQuqhsh4W7BJKPbGSnjCaspQ0-NIpHPxxNCtxBjdUKKcKnq523uZ_tCZefSEX1yC0e13rZL0KY.wTotZJ_St3QKFBbrjwKKH3PpuvqH7AQ-Wm-BsvgN4qc&dib_tag=se&keywords=ctek&qid=1747819824&sprefix=ctek%2Caps%2C118&sr=8-8&ufe=app_do%3Aamzn1.fos.0fa28f01-6fca-4422-af4e-d52d5ad71bfe&th=1

+1 for CTEK- top quality always. I've 5A CTEK smart charger (with Yuasa logo on it)- works fine for ~15 years already.

Thanks for the info.

Hi , as others have said C- Tec are the go to battery charger / conditioner.

On my charger a series of lights inform you as to the battery condition.

Car alternators don't fully charge car batteries so that is why occasionally I connect the charger to the battery ( see hand book for fitment instructions)

I don't have the nerve to kook up battery and leave.

I've got a Gunson solar charger in the windscreen of my camper which was off the road for months over winter. Started first time when I fired it up

Excellent news