Home

   Log in or Register



Insurance Quotes
forums Campsite Search Comp Directory tips virtual brochure Profile
Tent and Awning Reviews Competitions Caravans and Motorhomes For Sale Shopping Diary Advent Calendar

Advertisement

Message Forums
Welcome Guest Register Login Search The Forum Posts Since Last Visit
 Reception - All Forums
  Caravans and Caravanning 		Share   Post on X / Twitter  Share on Facebook  Email  Printer Friendly Version Print
Subject Topic: Idiot`s Guide to Battery Charger sought Post Reply Post New Topic
PersonGonnate
12/12/2016 at 6:35pm
 Location: Northants
 Outfit: Rapido Club32 caravan View Gonnate's Profile View Profile   Reply to Gonnate Reply   Quote Gonnate Quote  
Joined: 13/7/2008

Silver Member
Silver Member

Forum Posts:   120
Tent Reviews:   2
Site Reviews Total: 28
Site Reviews 2024: 4  
Site Reviews 2023: 0  
Site Reviews 2022: 2  
Site Reviews 2021: 6  
Site Reviews 2020: 2  
Site Reviews 2019: 4  
Site Reviews 2018: 2  
Site Nights 2024: 16
Site Nights 2023: 0
Site Nights 2022: 9
Site Nights 2021: 25
Site Nights 2020: 6
Site Nights 2019: 8
Site Nights 2018: 2
I am not just unconfident over all things electric, I somehow never got the different units of measurement involved. Not at "O" level, not before, not since!

So... we have a Leisure battery for our new-to-us caravan. It says XV31MF 110Ah C20 720EN 1000MCA on top, and is brand new and was fully charged when we collected the 'van nearly 2 weeks ago. I've taken it out for security, & for trickle charger top-up in the garage from time to time.

My charger is ancient, a "Pro User" 4 amp 12 volt model... with a box proudly advertising that it comes complete with a 13amp plug. Wow.
Should this be compatible with this battery?

Please be patient with my ignorance when replying

... though I can give informed instructions on how to string and tune a medieval harp, unstick a Victorian concertina reed, or set up a hurdy-gurdy if that's any help...
Thanks!


Personbirdman101
12/12/2016 at 6:48pm
 Location: Milton Keynes
 Outfit: 2023Archway Woodford View birdman101's Profile View Profile   Reply to birdman101 Reply   Quote birdman101 Quote  
Joined: 30/8/2011

Diamond Member
Diamond Member

Forum Posts:   2693
Site Reviews Total: 0
Site Reviews 2024: 0  
Site Reviews 2023: 0  
Site Reviews 2022: 0  
Site Reviews 2021: 0  
Site Reviews 2020: 0  
Site Reviews 2019: 0  
Site Reviews 2018: 0  
Site Nights 2024: 0
Site Nights 2023: 0
Site Nights 2022: 0
Site Nights 2021: 0
Site Nights 2020: 0
Site Nights 2019: 0
Site Nights 2018: 0
Ideally you need a charger such as C-tec which is an electronic charger that can be left connected permanently..This will just keep the battery topped up when it requires it.Aldi and Lidl have these type of chargers on offer from time to time at very good prices,usually under £15


Discounted Insurance Quotes for UKCampsite.co.uk visitors! Up to 12.5% off!
UKCampsite.co.uk users are rewarded with up to 12.5% off Caravan Guard touring caravan insurance, folding camper and trailer tent insurance, and 5% off motorhome and campervan insurance. Static caravan insurance is also available. Get an online quote now

PersonJesscar
12/12/2016 at 6:54pm
 Location: Leicester
 Outfit: Avondale Argente 650-6 View Jesscar's Profile View Profile   Reply to Jesscar Reply   Quote Jesscar Quote  
Joined: 20/8/2012

Silver Member
Silver Member

Forum Posts:   166
Site Reviews Total: 1
Site Reviews 2024: 0  
Site Reviews 2023: 0  
Site Reviews 2022: 0  
Site Reviews 2021: 0  
Site Reviews 2020: 0  
Site Reviews 2019: 0  
Site Reviews 2018: 0  
Site Nights 2024: 0
Site Nights 2023: 0
Site Nights 2022: 0
Site Nights 2021: 0
Site Nights 2020: 0
Site Nights 2019: 0
Site Nights 2018: 0
Your charger sounds old and basic, but should work fine for charging this battery, just pay attention to polarity ... it probably has one red wire or crocodile clip, and that needs to go to the battery terminal marked '+'

It is unlikely to be a suitable charger to leave connected permanently, so just use it for a few hours every month and that'll be ok.



PersonGonnate
12/12/2016 at 7:22pm
 Location: Northants
 Outfit: Rapido Club32 caravan View Gonnate's Profile View Profile   Reply to Gonnate Reply   Quote Gonnate Quote  
Joined: 13/7/2008

Silver Member
Silver Member

Forum Posts:   120
Tent Reviews:   2
Site Reviews Total: 28
Site Reviews 2024: 4  
Site Reviews 2023: 0  
Site Reviews 2022: 2  
Site Reviews 2021: 6  
Site Reviews 2020: 2  
Site Reviews 2019: 4  
Site Reviews 2018: 2  
Site Nights 2024: 16
Site Nights 2023: 0
Site Nights 2022: 9
Site Nights 2021: 25
Site Nights 2020: 6
Site Nights 2019: 8
Site Nights 2018: 2
Thanks both. Either way, that's useful to know.


PersonGonnate
12/12/2016 at 8:07pm
 Location: Northants
 Outfit: Rapido Club32 caravan View Gonnate's Profile View Profile   Reply to Gonnate Reply   Quote Gonnate Quote  
Joined: 13/7/2008

Silver Member
Silver Member

Forum Posts:   120
Tent Reviews:   2
Site Reviews Total: 28
Site Reviews 2024: 4  
Site Reviews 2023: 0  
Site Reviews 2022: 2  
Site Reviews 2021: 6  
Site Reviews 2020: 2  
Site Reviews 2019: 4  
Site Reviews 2018: 2  
Site Nights 2024: 16
Site Nights 2023: 0
Site Nights 2022: 9
Site Nights 2021: 25
Site Nights 2020: 6
Site Nights 2019: 8
Site Nights 2018: 2
Ctek's own site has the useful guide to which charger for which battery .... OK, so it's a 12v battery. Does the information I quoted earlier give any indication of how many steps it has, and all the other parameters mentioned here? It would be a pity to get the wrong sort when I do spot one on offer somewhere.
Sorry to be so way-behind here.
http://www.theultimatefinish.co.uk/documents/CTEK-Battery-Charger-Guide.pdf
Thanks again for help given!


Advertisement



PersonGonnate
12/12/2016 at 8:11pm
 Location: Northants
 Outfit: Rapido Club32 caravan View Gonnate's Profile View Profile   Reply to Gonnate Reply   Quote Gonnate Quote  
Joined: 13/7/2008

Silver Member
Silver Member

Forum Posts:   120
Tent Reviews:   2
Site Reviews Total: 28
Site Reviews 2024: 4  
Site Reviews 2023: 0  
Site Reviews 2022: 2  
Site Reviews 2021: 6  
Site Reviews 2020: 2  
Site Reviews 2019: 4  
Site Reviews 2018: 2  
Site Nights 2024: 16
Site Nights 2023: 0
Site Nights 2022: 9
Site Nights 2021: 25
Site Nights 2020: 6
Site Nights 2019: 8
Site Nights 2018: 2
For example, CTEK XC 0.8 - 6V Battery Charger & Conditioner, which appears both to fit the numbers I can find, and isn't the most expensive sort, which gives me hope of finding one cheaper on offer some time. Would this be right?


Persontango55
12/12/2016 at 9:23pm
 Location: Lichfield
 Outfit: Coachman Amara 450 View tango55's Profile View Profile   Reply to tango55 Reply   Quote tango55 Quote  
Joined: 15/5/2008

Diamond Member
Diamond Member

Forum Posts:   9587
Site Reviews Total: 23
Site Reviews 2024: 0  
Site Reviews 2023: 0  
Site Reviews 2022: 3  
Site Reviews 2021: 1  
Site Reviews 2020: 0  
Site Reviews 2019: 4  
Site Reviews 2018: 0  
Site Nights 2024: 0
Site Nights 2023: 0
Site Nights 2022: 11
Site Nights 2021: 3
Site Nights 2020: 0
Site Nights 2019: 24
Site Nights 2018: 0
All you need is a 12 volt smart charger that charges in 4 stages which the one in the link is exactly the same as I have been using for the past six years without any problems.


Durite Smart Charger


Personmarg6
12/12/2016 at 9:28pm
 Location: 
 Outfit:  View marg6's Profile View Profile   Reply to marg6 Reply   Quote marg6 Quote  
Joined: 11/8/2016

Diamond Member
Diamond Member

Forum Posts:   3126
Site Reviews Total: 3
Site Reviews 2024: 0  
Site Reviews 2023: 0  
Site Reviews 2022: 0  
Site Reviews 2021: 0  
Site Reviews 2020: 0  
Site Reviews 2019: 3  
Site Reviews 2018: 0  
Site Nights 2024: 0
Site Nights 2023: 0
Site Nights 2022: 0
Site Nights 2021: 0
Site Nights 2020: 0
Site Nights 2019: 15
Site Nights 2018: 0
try this one http://www.tkqlhce.com/click-1428744-10294381?url=http://www.argos.co.uk/product/7405392


PersonGonnate
12/12/2016 at 9:37pm
 Location: Northants
 Outfit: Rapido Club32 caravan View Gonnate's Profile View Profile   Reply to Gonnate Reply   Quote Gonnate Quote  
Joined: 13/7/2008

Silver Member
Silver Member

Forum Posts:   120
Tent Reviews:   2
Site Reviews Total: 28
Site Reviews 2024: 4  
Site Reviews 2023: 0  
Site Reviews 2022: 2  
Site Reviews 2021: 6  
Site Reviews 2020: 2  
Site Reviews 2019: 4  
Site Reviews 2018: 2  
Site Nights 2024: 16
Site Nights 2023: 0
Site Nights 2022: 9
Site Nights 2021: 25
Site Nights 2020: 6
Site Nights 2019: 8
Site Nights 2018: 2
Quote: Originally posted by tango55 on 12/12/2016
All you need is a 12 volt smart charger that charges in 4 stages which the one in the link is exactly the same as I have been using for the past six years without any problems.


Durite Smart Charger

... Thanks. Sadly they appear to have discontinued this, but it points me more in the right direction!


PersonGonnate
12/12/2016 at 9:38pm
 Location: Northants
 Outfit: Rapido Club32 caravan View Gonnate's Profile View Profile   Reply to Gonnate Reply   Quote Gonnate Quote  
Joined: 13/7/2008

Silver Member
Silver Member

Forum Posts:   120
Tent Reviews:   2
Site Reviews Total: 28
Site Reviews 2024: 4  
Site Reviews 2023: 0  
Site Reviews 2022: 2  
Site Reviews 2021: 6  
Site Reviews 2020: 2  
Site Reviews 2019: 4  
Site Reviews 2018: 2  
Site Nights 2024: 16
Site Nights 2023: 0
Site Nights 2022: 9
Site Nights 2021: 25
Site Nights 2020: 6
Site Nights 2019: 8
Site Nights 2018: 2
Quote: Originally posted by marg6 on 12/12/2016
try this one http://www.tkqlhce.com/click-1428744-10294381?url=http://www.tkqlhce.com/click-1428744-10294381?url=http://www.argos.co.uk/product/7405392



Thanks - that's a more tempting price


Advertisement



PersonGrampian91
12/12/2016 at 9:45pm
 Location: Midlands
 Outfit: Mondeo Avondale Gram View Grampian91's Profile View Profile   Reply to Grampian91 Reply   Quote Grampian91 Quote  
Joined: 11/5/2008

Diamond Member
Diamond Member

Forum Posts:   6893
Site Reviews Total: 2
Site Reviews 2024: 0  
Site Reviews 2023: 0  
Site Reviews 2022: 0  
Site Reviews 2021: 0  
Site Reviews 2020: 0  
Site Reviews 2019: 0  
Site Reviews 2018: 0  
Site Nights 2024: 0
Site Nights 2023: 0
Site Nights 2022: 0
Site Nights 2021: 0
Site Nights 2020: 0
Site Nights 2019: 0
Site Nights 2018: 0
That battery sounds like a car battery with the CCA figure. CCA = cold cranking amps. (starting your engine during the winter).

Ahh its a dual purpose one. 2 sets of lugs, one to the engine/starter and one to the electrics. So suitable for a campervan also.

I have the CTEK 3600, an older model and its still going well.

MSX3.6 now or something?

Something 3 - 4 amps for tricker charging will be ideal. Something a little bigger if you need more than 3 amp charging. I have larger smart and dumb chargers for that situation.



In order to post a reply you will need to register, or if already registered please log in here

Prev       Next
Quick Links - All Forums - Caravans and Caravanning - Top of Page

Printer Friendly Version Printable version      Share   Post on X / Twitter  Share on Facebook  Email


Latest News, Discounts and Competitions  see all...

7153 Visitors online !

Free UKCampsite.co.uk Window Sticker  -  Recommend to Friend  -  Add a Missing Campsite

[Message Forums]  [Caravan Sites & Camping]  [Company Listings]  [Features / Advice]  [Virtual Brochure]  [Shop!]
[Reception]  [Competitions]  [Caravans & Motorhomes For Sale]  [Event Diary]  [Contact Us]  [Tent Reviews] 



Please note we are not responsible for the content of external sites & any reviews represent the author's personal view only. Please report any error here. You may view our privacy and cookie policy and terms and conditions here. All copyrights & other intellectual property rights in the design and content of this web site are reserved to the UKCampsite.co.uk © 1999 - 2024


Advertisement
Advertisement


UKCampsite.co.uk
2024 Advent Calendar

Advent Calendar

24 Daily Prizes PLUS a Christmas Day Star Prize worth £999

Request a Reminder