Car trickle charger recommendations in UK

[JonW]

My folks are not really using their cars at the mo (I know few are) and as both are modern vehicles they do not like to run with low batteries and I want to avoid them throwing codes/CEL/etc etc.

To avoid that I suggested I would help them find a decent and safe trickle charger they could use, preferably with a long lead as one car is outside.

Plan is not to leave them plugged in but this would be used once every few weeks to top the batts up during the day only.

In Aus I can find plenty of good options for this, but have no idea of the market for these in the UK these days.

Any advice and links greatly received.

[Gitram]

I use the ones from Aldi's / Lidl, but they are not on sale all the time.. these do cars bikes et c. the cables are only about 2m long though so I have to use an extension cable with an RCD.

I found this at toolstation, there are other suppliers like Screwfix .. www.toolstation.com/einhell-smart-battery-charger/p81069

marti

[Deleted]

I use C-Tek's here, I'd be surprised if they aren't available in the UK

The newer models do AGM, Lead/Acid, and recondition a lead/acid or AGM and of course bike batteries too

I'd think you'd only need a 5A to do the job

[123]

I have optimate 4 and i use it on the camper all the time in the winter

[copper99]

I have two decade plus old chargers, one is an Oxford item, the other unbranded from a motorists centre and they do everything from the leisure battery on the mrs campervan to the 6v jobbie on the YSR80..

Doesn't really matter what charger you use(lithium items excluded) IMHO, as long as you use it regular enough...

[JonW]

Thanks guys, I'll have a look at what Halfords etc can deliver to them thats easy to use.

FWIW Like Howard I use CTEK units here. But I also still use the one that Lotus gave me with my Elise in 2001 which works well as I extended the lead when it was new so it could charge the cars that lived outside

[JonW]

Oh and if anyone else thinks of anything, feel free to add it here

[thomas]

I got one from Amazon, it was next day delivery with prime and about the same price as Halfords but saved me the trip out.

[LC_BOTT]

couple of people have been recommending these from another forum, not cheap though, but fit and forget I'd guess??

www.sportsbikeshop.co.uk/motorcycle_parts/content_prod/404071
all the same price no matter what size you choose.

Not sure if this is available cheaper or not elsewhere? Quite a few places doing solar chargers now.

[JonW]

Jan 15, 2021 14:25:21 GMT 1 thomas said:

I got one from Amazon, it was next day delivery with prime and about the same price as Halfords but saved me the trip out.

Thanks. which charger and how well does it work?

[JonW]

Jan 15, 2021 21:26:42 GMT 1 LC_BOTT said:

couple of people have been recommending these from another forum, not cheap though, but fit and forget I'd guess??

www.sportsbikeshop.co.uk/motorcycle_parts/content_prod/404071
all the same price no matter what size you choose.

Not sure if this is available cheaper or not elsewhere? Quite a few places doing solar chargers now.

How cool is that, makes you wonder why the manufacturers dont fit panels in the roof/bonnet of cars so the batt is always charged.

[JonW]

Thanks for you help guys, Ive sent them this info so hopefully they can find something to work for them.

[LC_BOTT]

I thought Honda had in the past, but....

www.autocar.co.uk/car-news/new-cars/hyundai-and-kia-introduce-solar-roof-charging-system

a few years old now, not sure if there are any more?

[thomas]

It was a NOCO GENIUS and you can get an adapter lead as an extra so you can hard wire a connector on to save you removing parts to get to the battery.

[lcmarky]

Optimate with flying leads on everything..

I have a lead Acid / Gel one and then another for Li Ion - be sure not to get them the crossed up as they are very different in their operation but stupidly look much the same as each other..

[JonW]

Thanks guys!