Battery Conditioners

Started by FUBAR, October 19, 2010, 01:58:19 PM

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FUBAR

October 19, 2010, 01:58:19 PM
With the winter months almost upon us i'm looking for a good quality battery conditioner to leave connected to the Camaro's battery while its in storage over winter, has anyone used these before? anyone got any recommendations?

so far i've found things like these:

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/CTEK-XS3600-Battery-Charger-BNIB-/280426601769?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_3&hash=item414aba5d29\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow\">http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/CTEK-XS3600-Battery-Charger-BNIB-/280426601769?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_3&hash=item414aba5d29

and

http://www.frost.co.uk/item_Detail.asp?productID=9416&frostProductName=Battery\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow\">http://www.frost.co.uk/item_Detail.asp?productID=9416&frostProductName=Battery PulseMaster &catID=&frostCat=&frostSubCat=&subCatID=
It's the time that we kill that keeps us alive...

F Body

#3
October 19, 2010, 03:28:19 PM
I use three of these ALDI chargers, fully electronic and only £12.99, in magazine tests they beat some of the £50+ chargers

http://www.aldi.co.uk/uk/html/offers/special_buys3_15825.htm\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow\">http://www.aldi.co.uk/uk/html/offers/special_buys3_15825.htm

NB : The only problem I've found with them is that they are reluctant to charge completely flat batteries.

FUBAR

#4
October 19, 2010, 03:50:33 PM
Thos look like they are dedicated chargers, they don't mention the "Maintainance function" like those CTEK ones do
It's the time that we kill that keeps us alive...

F Body

#5
October 19, 2010, 03:54:05 PM
Quoting: FUBAR
Thos look like they are dedicated chargers, they don't mention the "Maintainance function" like those CTEK ones do


Mine are the same make as the ones shown but an older design, mine are squarer and slightly bigger and I've had them about 18 months.
They do have a maintenance function which works well on the Camaro, 12v bike batteries and 6v scooter batteries

FUBAR

#6
October 19, 2010, 03:57:09 PM
aah ok fair doos
It's the time that we kill that keeps us alive...

HardRockCamaro

#7
October 19, 2010, 04:56:51 PM
The only one I've had experience of is the Optimate range, I've even seen them recover flat batteries that other chargers would not.

http://www.gsjettech.com/index.php/performance/watercraft-batteries/optimate-4-12v-desulphating-battery-optimiser-and-charger.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow\">Optimate

a91_formula

#8
October 20, 2010, 02:21:39 AM
1998 Fiero GT (my toy)
2009 Dodge Challenger SRT8 (Hubbys new toy!)

http://www.solent-renegades.co.uk

Pod

#9
October 20, 2010, 06:00:18 AM
Could you not just disconnect the battery?

There's no power in our garage, so the battery was sat there for best part of three years. Charged it up and it's been fine.

FUBAR

#10
October 20, 2010, 07:38:16 AM
Quoting: Pod
Could you not just disconnect the battery?


I think the Alarm uses it?... I don't know
It's the time that we kill that keeps us alive...

philoldsmobile

#11
October 20, 2010, 08:26:26 AM
run the engine for 30 mins once a month, there is no substitute for alternator charge.

FUBAR

#12
October 20, 2010, 08:35:10 AM
Quoting: philoldsmobile
run the engine for 30 mins once a month, there is no substitute for alternator charge.


Thats what I've done in previous years, every 2 weeks for 1/2 hour, not always on idle either.
Even last year with a new Alt and the car being stored in a proper garage not the Barn the battery still went flat by the end of winter.
Hence why i'm now looking at these gizmos.
It's the time that we kill that keeps us alive...

Pod

#13
October 20, 2010, 12:48:17 PM
Quoting: FUBAR
I think the Alarm uses it?... I don't know


Ah yes, if it's got an alarm, that will need power.
Mind you, it's not going anywhere if you take the battery out.

How about whipping the battery out for a couple of hours on a charger, every so often?

Can't help with the conditioner as I've never used one.

philoldsmobile

#14
October 21, 2010, 12:59:03 PM
alarm ECU clock (if you have one) and stereo will all draw power (even if its off)

on a soak test you should be around 90 milliamps, for a car with a good clip of electronics in it, (the tahoe measured 89ma, with ECU stereo, compass, alarm and immobiliser) so the power drain is minimal, but it is there. a small block will want about 80% charge in the battery to start it properly, so its quite possible to run pretty flat after 6 weeks or so.

once a battery has been run completely flat, its never quite the same, in reality, the best bet is weekly drives, rather than just running on the driveway but thats obviously not an option with the IROC.

If you cant do that, install a cut off switch (the 'red key' type used on drag cars is ideal), they aren't expensive) and isolate the battery completely over winter. Expect the car to feel a little off after the re connection though, as the ECU will need to 're learn' its settings.

the battery itself will hold charge very well unaided if its health - after 6+ weeks the GPz span over like a champ last time I started it (no hint of flatness at all) but of course, a bike has no latent power consumption what so ever.

F Body

#15
October 22, 2010, 07:33:40 AM

Titsy

#16
October 22, 2010, 07:48:59 AM
I'd say get an old oven tray and keep it in the corner of your room after a full charge...

FUBAR

#17
October 22, 2010, 09:15:00 AM
I'd rather not have the battery disconnected all winter TBH, mainly because of the Alarm.


I'm going to go for this one I think...
http://www.alternativeenergystore.co.uk/item/item/121510/17/0/CTEK-Multi-XS-7000-Battery-Charger.htm\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow\">http://www.alternativeenergystore.co.uk/item/item/121510/17/0/CTEK-Multi-XS-7000-Battery-Charger.htm

especially as i'm not paying for it (Its an early Xmas pressie) but mainly because i know the most about it form the description.
It's the time that we kill that keeps us alive...

F Body

#18
October 22, 2010, 12:22:53 PM
Quoting: FUBAR
I'm going to go for this one I think... CTEK Multi XS 7000 Battery Charger
Price £87.24


Too rich for me  Be cheaper to buy a new battery

art b

#19
October 25, 2010, 05:05:30 PM
should get me one of these,
to keep the bike battery good over the winter,
there too expensive to replace to often...
saying that the dodge dart[ yes i still have it]  battery sits in my garage fully charged,[for the last 3 years]
and its been used to jump start a few people with flat batteries,and is fine...just charged up and left unconnected to any thing..
This forum needs, ''YOU'' posting,Not just reading ! :moon:

FUBAR

#20
November 15, 2010, 02:11:21 PM
FYI I went for this one in the end, but got it cheaper off Ebay

http://www.alternativeenergystore.co.uk/item/item/121510/17/0/CTEK-Multi-XS-7000-Battery-Charger.htm\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow\">http://www.alternativeenergystore.co.uk/item/item/121510/17/0/CTEK-Multi-XS-7000-Battery-Charger.htm

Fantastic bit of kit, very well built with high quality connections etc I've got it hooked up to the permenant eyelet connectors on each terminal and you simply plug the charger into the connector & charge it without having to disconnect any of the cars electrics.

Set it to normal mode & it automatically detects whether the battery needs a charge & ends up in pulse charging maintainance mode eventually & can be left for months at a time if needed.

Its working a treat
It's the time that we kill that keeps us alive...

Roadkill

#21
November 16, 2010, 03:37:55 AM
Quoting: FUBAR
FYI I went for this one in the end, but got it cheaper off Ebay


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