chaseracer Posted January 11, 2015 Posted January 11, 2015 So... As you may know, I have a large Mercedes and (now) five flat batteries. Before I collect the Ring TradeCharge 27 I have tentatively reserved at Halfrauds in Wolvo, does anyone have any alternative suggestions? Cheers, etc.
brickwall Posted January 11, 2015 Posted January 11, 2015 I have a Ring one and it's very good, but not as swish as that one.
davidfowler2000 Posted January 11, 2015 Posted January 11, 2015 That looks well good. If you can afford it then go for it. 12 and 24v, slow and fast with a "Start" boost mode for maximum power. Looks the baws. Just remember slow mode for a completely flat battery so you don't overstress the internals. chaseracer 1
gm Posted January 11, 2015 Posted January 11, 2015 aldi or lidl (I forget which) have one on special next week which has a good reputation amongst the Mazda lads. I bought one years back but never needed to use it yet
mat_the_cat Posted January 11, 2015 Posted January 11, 2015 It depends how you plan to use the charger as to what type is 'best'. The Halfords one will charge up a battery quickly, but by its design will be constant voltage hence the charging rate will fall as the battery nears capacity (as its internal resistance increases) so won't *fully* charge a battery. It also won't be suitable for leaving connected permanently (as a smart charger would). Smart chargers have an initial constant current mode, and then switch to a (safe) constant voltage maintenance mode. This will get the most charge into a battery. Trouble is, ones with a comparable output are very expensive so affordable ones will be slower to charge, and you won't have the jump start option... chaseracer 1
Timewaster Posted January 11, 2015 Posted January 11, 2015 Intelligent chargers are F useless in my experience. I have a sip one that cost a fortune. If the battery is flat, it won't recognise the voltage and won't charge the bloody thing.
chaseracer Posted January 11, 2015 Author Posted January 11, 2015 I may be overspeccing, but I'm hoping it will last. "Buy nice or buy twice", and all that... Thanks for the info, chaps
retrogeezer Posted January 11, 2015 Posted January 11, 2015 I've got an Aldi smart charger and it is brilliant....it's basically a CTEK one with a slightly different case: http://www.amazon.co.uk/CTE-XS3600-Battery-Charger-3-6Amp-Functional/dp/B000RHWCNY Joey spud 1
michael1703 Posted January 11, 2015 Posted January 11, 2015 I bought a gys smart charger and its used on various vehicles daily and has rejuvenated a few that I thought were completely dead that my other chargers wouldn't recognise when connected
mat_the_cat Posted January 12, 2015 Posted January 12, 2015 Intelligent chargers are F useless in my experience. I have a sip one that cost a fortune. If the battery is flat, it won't recognise the voltage and won't charge the bloody thing. Horses for courses though...if you want something to quickly charge up old batteries from flat, then the Halfords one is the better bet. But if you're wanting them to stop them going flat in the first place it's not ideal. You're right though - some smart chargers need to detect some voltage in order to actually work, but you may be able to fool it by switching to the 6 volt setting (so it's looking for a lower voltage), or temporarily connect a good battery in parallel with it. Some CTEKs have a mode specifically for reviving old batteries where they start off in a 'pulse' mode, apparently to loosen sulphate deposits on the plates. Never tried one on a dead battery though, so can't say for certain whether it works...
Justin Case Posted January 12, 2015 Posted January 12, 2015 I had a similar plae for help a year ago:http://autoshite.com/topic/15699-battery-charger-recommendatioSincens/ and as a result I bought one Lidl's finest for a suitably modest sum. It works fine as long as you have more than 3 volts in the battery, otherwise it won't work, but a jump start and running it for a few minutes sorted that. Since then I helped clear out an elderly relative's garage and I have now acquired a Bradex Super 4, made back in the days when Bradford had a flourishing battery charger industry but I haven't needed to use it yet. Slightly off-topic, but did they need that many oil-cans in those days or was it just a collecting hobby, a surprising number of them were unearthed;)Oh and finally a Lidl battery condition indicator is quite a useful thing to check whether yor charger has done the trick, and they cost buttons
Magnificent Rustbucket Posted January 12, 2015 Posted January 12, 2015 I've got an Aldi smart charger and it is brilliant....it's basically a CTEK one with a slightly different case: http://www.amazon.co.uk/CTE-XS3600-Battery-Charger-3-6Amp-Functional/dp/B000RHWCNYI have successfully charged a dead battery with a CTEK charger much like this one. I've been pleased with it.
plasticvandan Posted January 12, 2015 Posted January 12, 2015 i use a mid 70s bradex 6 AND 12 volt battery charger.if its been good enough to charge my dads shite cars for 25 years,and mine for 10,then i see no need to replace it! Justin Case 1
tooSavvy Posted January 12, 2015 Posted January 12, 2015 .... just the other day 'this' took my SAVVY back to the land of Brummm... '1200 c.c. Model' excellent TS
chaseracer Posted January 12, 2015 Author Posted January 12, 2015 I got the big Ring (matron...) and some super-duty jumper cables. I'll try recharging the 300E's battery tomorrow.
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