She`s only gone and bought a C5............ no, not one of those....

[Twiggy]

one of these:

 

 

 

Yes, a Sinclair C5...................

It was last run (well) three years ago, since when it has been unused. It has been modified to take two batteries and it came with

 

two Halford`s HB063 sealed for life batteries which were new three years ago. Obviously they are flat and I need to know how to

 

charge them up, and indeed if after being unused for so long if they can be charged up. Do I just connect them up to a standard

 

battery charger and leave them for x hours, or do I need to prepare them somehow ? Also can anyone recommend a good but

 

not overly expensive battery charger please ?

 

Thank you in advance for all replies, serious, frivolous, piss takingous.............

 

[Guest Hooli]

Just one question, WHY?

[jonathan_dyane]

Looks amazing! I'm afraid the batteries are likely to be good only for the scrap man. I wonder if a leisure battery might be a better option because standard lead acids really don't like being deep cycled.

[Dave_Q]

Nothing constructive to add except I've always harboured some wantage for one of these, top drawer shite IMO.

[richardmorris]

How much?

[NorthernMonkey]

It's straighter than my C5, I'll give you that...

[cobblers]

TOP STUFF!!!!

 

if the batteries have been left dead flat for even a few weeks then they'll probably be shagged.

 

You don't need anything fancy to charge them up, just connect to any normal charger. Use the slow charge setting if they have one.

If your charger is a "smart" charger then it won't work with a totally flat battery. If that's the case, use jump leads to connect the flat battery in parallel with a decent one and the charger will kick into life, then remove the good battery.

 

CTEK chargers are decent, but these are cheaper and will do the job.

 

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Electronic-Smart-RV-Car-Battery-Trickle-Charger-12V-3-Stage-3A-Maintainer-UK-NEW-/162422012492?hash=item25d11b3a4c:g:RnQAAOSwWWxY~xxG

[stripped fred]

These are quite collectible aren't they. I wonder if anyone actually uses one for the daily commute?

[stripped fred]

TOP STUFF!!!!

 

if the batteries have been left dead flat for even a few weeks then they'll probably be shagged.

 

You don't need anything fancy to charge them up, just connect to any normal charger. Use the slow charge setting if they have one.

If your charger is a "smart" charger then it won't work with a totally flat battery. If that's the case, use jump leads to connect the flat battery in parallel with a decent one and the charger will kick into life, then remove the good battery.

 

CTEK chargers are decent, but these are cheaper and will do the job.

 

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Electronic-Smart-RV-Car-Battery-Trickle-Charger-12V-3-Stage-3A-Maintainer-UK-NEW-/162422012492?hash=item25d11b3a4c:g:RnQAAOSwWWxY~xxG

I might get myself one of those. Can they be left connected long-term as a trickle charger?

[Twiggy]

Just one question, WHY?

 

Pass...........................

 

 

 

How much?

 

She`s not told me............

 

Looks amazing! I'm afraid the batteries are likely to be good only for the scrap man. I wonder if a leisure battery might be a better option because standard lead acids really don't like being deep cycled.

 

And battery technology has come on leaps and bounds since they were introduced err... 32 years ago

[montytom]

Love these would love one in the near future.

Everything seems to be expensive for these. There is a Facebook page for these which I am on and people are making things for them

[cobblers]

I might get myself one of those. Can they be left connected long-term as a trickle charger?

 

I wouldn't really be all that happy leaving a chinese cheapy like this connected 24/7 in case it went on fire or something, but the CTEK ones are fine.

Both will just charge til the battery is full then drop back to 13.8v float which is fine to hold a battery at indefinitely.

[Twiggy]

TOP STUFF!!!!

 

if the batteries have been left dead flat for even a few weeks then they'll probably be shagged.

 

You don't need anything fancy to charge them up, just connect to any normal charger. Use the slow charge setting if they have one.

If your charger is a "smart" charger then it won't work with a totally flat battery. If that's the case, use jump leads to connect the flat battery in parallel with a decent one and the charger will kick into life, then remove the good battery.

 

CTEK chargers are decent, but these are cheaper and will do the job.

 

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Electronic-Smart-RV-Car-Battery-Trickle-Charger-12V-3-Stage-3A-Maintainer-UK-NEW-/162422012492?hash=item25d11b3a4c:g:RnQAAOSwWWxY~xxG

 

Thank you - can`t find a thank you button on your post...

[Bear]

These need deep discharge leisure batteries. Oldham made the originals - if you seriously want to use it get some Optima AGM ones, but failing that, caravan batteries. Be careful not to blow the control box and keep the chain tensioner oiled.

 

I had one when I was 14, used to go to school and do shopping in it 😂

[Bear]

Also upgrade to LED lights!

 

Nice accessories on that with the mirrors and indicators.

[Twiggy]

 

Nice accessories on that with the mirrors and indicators.

 

Picture courtesy of Wikki............. haven't got one of hers - can`t remember if it has the indicators and mirrors

[Braddon81]

Welcome to the C5 club! As Richard k has said,get yourself a deep discharge leisure battery and some quick release connectors and you'll be fine. Get ready for a lot of attention whilst riding/driving it - you'll get more looks than if you spunked 200k on a Lambo!

[Pillock]

Apparently you can get replacement batteries from Comet.

 

Good luck!

[Bear]

It's straighter than my C5, I'll give you that...

 

 

How's that one coming along?

[NorthernMonkey]

I'm still looking for a wing in black...in the meantime, it's quite a pleasant place to go and sit with a coffee whilst watching a DVD on the sat nav....

[RayMK]

Leisure batteries tend to be expensive but I have no experience of using them for a vehicle.  I have, however, used car type lead acid batteries in mobility scooters and had no problems with them.  They tend to perform better and for longer (i.e. life) than equivalent capacity gel type batteries, particularly in cold weather.  The C5s I saw when they were introduced were usually being pedalled and were barely faster than a pavement mobility scooter when under power.*  They were referred to as a motorised slipper - except that slippers are usually comfortable.  C5s are below the bumper height of almost all modern vehicles.  If they are allowed on cycle paths, that's where I would stay.  

[Ghosty]

Wonder if I could use one feasibly for Deliveroo.

[Cleon-Fonte]

Also can anyone recommend a good but

 

not overly expensive battery charger please ?

 

I'd recommend one of these:

 

[Roobarb]

Ooohhhh, always had a deep want for one of these too.

 

No idea what I would use it for, or when, but then the wife has me and I'm pretty useless.

 

Nice score!

[SiC]

I was looking to buy one of these when I was at uni. My very nerdy C Programming lecturer over heard the conversation, laughed and said you have zero street cred if you go around in one of these.

 

I wonder what these would be like now if using LiPo batteries (like the technology used in your phone).

 

Are these limited to 15mph assistance like electric bikes are?

[Twiggy]

 

Are these limited to 15mph assistance like electric bikes are?

 

Apparently, 15 m.p.h. was the maximum - if you were lucky.............

[purplebargeken]

These are ace things. A mate has one and he loves it. A real cult following and parts can be pricey or so I believe. 

[Faker]

I'm hunting for one of these at present!

[PiperCub]

Try any leisure battery or ones from mobilitiy scooters. 

 

You can try to revive your 063 items but as said above, a smart charger won't recognise anything totally flat so give them a kick by connecting an old-fashioned battery charger and leave it on for a bit to give an initial charge and raise the terminal voltage to the extent smart one will 'see' it and work from there. 

 

If you can open up the cells via a cap (non-sealed flavour), check for excessive bubbling when first you switch the charger on, if one or more is fizzing like a bastard straight away, the thing is FUBAR, similarly if the casing gets hot (not just slightly warm), it's fucked. 

 

With modern batteries, they are better & last longer that ones two decades or so back but tend to be more fussy if left discharged for even a short period which usually wrecks them (don't know the reason why). I suspect yours probably are u/s to be honest.

 

Admire the C5 as a piece of history but wouldn't take one on the road - ever. Nearly drove over one when I was 18 - scared me more than the C5 owner. 

[Alexg]

Nice one! I just use a cheap 038 size car battery as it fits reasonably well under the key lid and isn't used other than to 'show off' as it were.