Sorry me again so much to learn 🤯 I have put my camper to bed in a nice dry barn and now want to charge the battery as I read somewhere if I leave it until I need it next year it will be no good, my question is what battery charger is best, is there a trickle charger that I just leave on until I need it or do I keep turning it on and off.
ctek is the best one but a bit pricey, we just use a normal car battery charger but put a timer socket on it so i dont have to remember to turn on and off
Halfords do them, CTEK are one of the better brands.
------------- XVI yes?
As well is two words!
How does a sage know everything about everything? or does he? or does he just think he does?
Remember, if you buy something you bought it, not brought it.
Aldi do a smart-charger and I believe Lidl do one too, and these work very well. I have had my Aldi one for several years now and I use it every winter to keep my caravan battery in good condition. The Aldi chargers are of a very similar type to the Ctek ones, but MUCH cheaper and in my opinion just as good. No complaints about mine anyway. The only snag is that Aldi don't always seem to have them in stock so it's a case of buy one when you see them. You might be able to get them online, it's worth a try.
Hi... Just reading the article... I have a trailer tent also... Never charged the battery over winter storage... Is this a must thing to do?.. If so what must I do please?... Thanks
Quote: Originally posted by Dudser on 04/10/2024
Hi... Just reading the article... I have a trailer tent also... Never charged the battery over winter storage... Is this a must thing to do?.. If so what must I do please?... Thanks
Lead acid batteries deteriorate due to them not being used and being undercharged, causing sulphation of the plates. A regular trickle charge, ideally with a smart charger, will reduce sulphation and therefore extend the life of the battery.
We haven't put ours to bed yet, but I'm also wondering what to do about the battery never having had one before.
I can easily plug in the mains every few weeks, which would mimic summer use so presumably would be okay?
Or, I was thinking about a solar charger, but don't know the first thing about those! We have a car port type arrangement in the garden for the trailer, so it would be feasible to put a panel on the roof which would be south facing. The plus side of solar would be non EHU camping options, so I would like to know a bit more about it.
Or is the best option simply to take it out and use a smart charger?
Quote: Originally posted by Bernie47 on 04/10/2024
Quote: Originally posted by Dudser on 04/10/2024
Hi... Just reading the article... I have a trailer tent also... Never charged the battery over winter storage... Is this a must thing to do?.. If so what must I do please?... Thanks
Lead acid batteries deteriorate due to them not being used and being undercharged, causing sulphation of the plates. A regular trickle charge, ideally with a smart charger, will reduce sulphation and therefore extend the life of the battery.
Fantastic thanks... Another thing for the list... Kept it outside last year and all seemed fine....
Yesterday I was in Lidl and spotted battery chargers so my battery is now checked and fully charged, I know it was a cheap charger but the last couple of months have been very expensive bought folding camper and new wood burner for house £2000 on operations for my lovely old Labrador so if it lasts a couple of seasons it will give me time to refill the coffers 🤣🤣
Quote: Originally posted by JANEVANS02 on 04/10/2024
Yesterday I was in Lidl and spotted battery chargers so my battery is now checked and fully charged, I know it was a cheap charger but the last couple of months have been very expensive bought folding camper and new wood burner for house £2000 on operations for my lovely old Labrador so if it lasts a couple of seasons it will give me time to refill the coffers 🤣🤣
I have both the Lidl and the Aldi auto charges and they work just as good as my expensive one, I also prefer to use them as they turn themselves back after a power cut.