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Topic: Over - winter charging

joelewes

26/9/2011 at 11:43am
Location: East Sussex
Outfit: Elddis Autoquest 195 SE

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We are off to Aldeburgh for our final (probably) outing for the season at the beginning of October. In previous years, during over-wintering my vehicle battery has completely discharged by the time Sring comes (probably because of the the permanently live connections - clock, alarm etc). I have a CTK charger (great) but have been told that I must disconnect the battery before I charge it. My question is - do I need to disconnect the battery to put it on trickle charge over the winter? If I don't, will the fact that the leisure battery (which is connected to the vehicle battery), have any effect? Will that also charge?

Pretty basic questions but there are some very knowledgeable people out there so thanks in advance!

wineciccio

26/9/2011 at 7:21pm
Location: Liverpool
Outfit: IH TIO R

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Why not invest in a solar panel , connect to leisure battery and thats it, it looks after itself and it will keep your battery charged a treat, they do work in winter as well you know, maybe not as well as in summer but they do what it says on the can!

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wineciccio

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steveiem

27/9/2011 at 12:40am
Location: Clacton on Sea . Sunshine Coast
Outfit: Compass Navigator 1200 TDi swb

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don't you take it out at all over winter ? a ride out now and again is better than having it just sat there for months , or alternatively put the ehu on it every now and again ,,

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There's a place for all gods creatures ,,

Right next to the potatoes and veg ,,,

Andy-M

28/9/2011 at 8:04am
Location: Derby
Outfit: Pilote G780FGJ

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best is to go for the solar panel option, very useful, keeps everything charged with the bonus that when you are away with no ehu you still can have power, dont bother with those silly 10w ones that place on your dash board - they are a waste of time

joelewes

28/9/2011 at 9:00am
Location: East Sussex
Outfit: Elddis Autoquest 195 SE

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Thanks for this. Still don't know whether I should disconnect the batteries though. Should I?

joelewes

28/9/2011 at 9:12am
Location: East Sussex
Outfit: Elddis Autoquest 195 SE

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Would this one work?

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/SOLAR-POWERED-PANEL-12V-2-4W-BATTERY-TRICKLE-CHARGER-/320675503273?pt=UK_Gadgets&hash=item4aa9bfdca9

Mick S.

28/9/2011 at 8:39pm
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If youve access to leccy, just leave it hooked up, itll cost next to nothing. If you hook up the leisure/cab batteries itll keep em both topped up.

Befrank

01/10/2011 at 1:38pm
Location: None Entered
Outfit: Hymer

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Quote: Originally posted by Mick S. on 28/9/2011
If youve access to leccy, just leave it hooked up, itll cost next to nothing. If you hook up the leisure/cab batteries itll keep em both topped up.

Thats a great tip Mick S.

Belle1

01/10/2011 at 4:35pm
Location: Kent
Outfit: Autocruise Starfire

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Quote: Originally posted by joelewes on 26/9/2011

We are off to Aldeburgh for our final (probably) outing for the season at the beginning of October. In previous years, during over-wintering my vehicle battery has completely discharged by the time Sring comes (probably because of the the permanently live connections - clock, alarm etc). I have a CTK charger (great) but have been told that I must disconnect the battery before I charge it. My question is - do I need to disconnect the battery to put it on trickle charge over the winter? If I don't, will the fact that the leisure battery (which is connected to the vehicle battery), have any effect? Will that also charge?

Pretty basic questions but there are some very knowledgeable people out there so thanks in advance!

I have a trickle charge for the camper and also my sports car which I lay up over winter. They work perfectly and as soon as I want to go starting is no problem. I also keep a small skirting board radiator in the camper during the winter and move all the cushions away from outside contact. This also works well and I do not get any mold on them.

Andy-M

05/10/2011 at 11:26am
Location: Derby
Outfit: Pilote G780FGJ

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no- do not go for the small trickle charge ones they are cr*p, had one and the only thing it was good for was shovling snow.

You will not have to disconnect your battery either

joelewes

05/10/2011 at 12:52pm
Location: East Sussex
Outfit: Elddis Autoquest 195 SE

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Andy M. Thanks for this advice (and all others). You can always get good advice on this site!

Mr Muffin

05/10/2011 at 12:56pm
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I have used an Optimate charger for years on my Motorcycle and put the caravan battery on it a couple of times over winter.

Its looked after the same battery on the bike with an alarm for about ten years,it does not charge all the time as it senses a drop in voltage then tops it up.

Bike has permanent connections fitted so it just plugs in,unplug it and fit the crocodile clips to connect to another battery.

Andy

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