MR2 Roadster Owners Club

The Workshop => Audio / Security / Electrical => Topic started by: Anonymous on January 5, 2009, 13:52

Title: External charging socket?
Post by: Anonymous on January 5, 2009, 13:52
When charging a car battery is it necessary to disconnect it from the car electrics?

Could I fit an external connector, leave the battery terminals connected and just plug in a trickle charger?
Title: Re: External charging socket?
Post by: roger on January 5, 2009, 13:55
I don't disconnect, because you'd loose the power to alarm etc.

However it is one of those "intelligent" ones, so it says.
Title: Re: External charging socket?
Post by: Anonymous on January 5, 2009, 14:11
Mine's one of the Halfords "intelligent" ones, switches from charge to maintenance, no output power until both terminals connected ...
Title: Re: External charging socket?
Post by: aaronjb on January 5, 2009, 14:38
Quote from: "Moleshome"When charging a car battery is it necessary to disconnect it from the car electrics?

Depends on the charger - I think you're safe with one of the ones designed for maintenance, but the big ones (a 'normal' charger) should really not be connected to the car electrics as they output very unclean power.

I think Grant gave a far better explanation than I, somewhere back in the mists of time  s:) :) s:)

Yes you could, though, have an external socket - in fact there are sockets designed for just that purpose.. Demon Tweeks sell them IIRC, although they are ones designed for jump starting cars as well as charging (for racing), just like the ones the AA vans have in their front grills.
Title: Re: External charging socket?
Post by: StuM on January 5, 2009, 15:16
Quote from: "aaronjb"Yes you could, though, have an external socket - in fact there are sockets designed for just that purpose.. Demon Tweeks sell them IIRC, although they are ones designed for jump starting cars as well as charging (for racing), just like the ones the AA vans have in their front grills.

Are these the ones:

Demon Tweeks (http://www.demon-tweeks.co.uk/products/ProductDetail.asp?cls=MSPORT&pcode=LON45720)

Thinking about this (or similar) on my bike as the battery is a pig to get to.
Title: Re: External charging socket?
Post by: aaronjb on January 5, 2009, 15:18
Actually I was thinking of these, though they might be a little bit overkill..

Anderson Jack Plugs (http://www.demon-tweeks.co.uk/products/ProductDetail.asp?cls=MSPORT&pcode=AJP3)
Title: Re: External charging socket?
Post by: Anonymous on January 5, 2009, 15:53
Thanks Aaron, the 50A looks like just what I'm after.