Ok the bikes been on an Optimate for what seems like forever. Now trying to sort out cars... I’m looking after (much older) in laws, popping out (every two weeks or so) in one of the cars for a big shop, prescriptions etc. The other two just sat doing nothing... My question is... our cars are now sat around doing squat (Volvo XC60, TT and an old Peugeot) can anyone suggest an appropriate battery charger I can share between these three cars to keep them ready to go. Also any other tips for the cars whilst we are in lock down... thanks in advance
My car gets left for 2 weeks every summer when I go on holiday and has never let me down (touch wood)
I work away for up to four months at a time and never had a problem with batteries. I’ve had more problems with seized brakes and discs rusting. If you’re concerned about the batteries, sticking them on charge for a few hours every couple of weeks wouldn’t go amiss.
Ironically I went to move the car yesterday and the battery was flat. Multimeter reckons under 7v and it looks several years old, car is a 60 plate, but I have a Halfords charger that I have had for years and so have put it on there to see if it can be recovered. There may be an equivalent of an Optimate type charger for cars but personally I would just use the old fashioned ones where you remove the battery from the car first, will be a lot cheaper.
optimate do them for cars as well. I think its an optimate 6 we have had for a few years on the wifes car since it doesnt get out that much now since the kids came along. it was £100 ish and has worked well, I just bought addiotional leads so it was easier to hook up. they seem to have optimate 7 now so have a look on their website and see what suits your needs best https://www.optimate.co.uk/
Ctek are good .but expensive. I would just use a normal battery charger and charge each battery once a week for a few hours
I would agree with bike boys suggestion of ctek, I paid about £55 for mine so not really much dearer than a lithium optimate? Cars on it every day and not had a problem since
My thoughts are.... I’d prefer to leave the car battery in situ so all the “electronic gadgets” don’t have a wobbly. A trickle charger such as an Optimate appears to be the way forward. Any further thoughts from the collective welcome
Can you get trickle chargers that don't plug into the mains - stand alone battery pack - like the power bank things that you use to charge your mobile phone ? My bike is in the underground car park - all gated locked and secure in there - but no electric socket.
No direct experience. But looking down at the boats in the local marinas I can see solar chargers being used by boats of all sizes - ones that have an onboard battery.
I'd whack a solar battery charger on, a good friend of mine had one on his Nissan prairie - he used to leave standing for up to 8 months and would always start on the button. You can get them as cheap as £20 off amazon - just need sunshine! Also invest in a battery jump pack, usually around £50, then if you have a flat battery on anything, boom it goes! (and you can take it with you incase not enough charge when you stop, or stall!)
Probably shouldn't have used it but I did. An old optimate that I've had about 15 years for my BIKES. My sons car (whilst posted overseas) sat for about 6 months. Flat as anything when he tried it. Put on the optimate overnight and bang all good the next day after about 14 hours linked up. so the bike trickle charger worked a treat on his car.
I use a NOCO Genius 3500 on my car, which unless it’s on charge will drop below a point where it will start in 3 weeks, versatile charger and can be left on indefinitely.
