Trickle chargers - advice please

[Johnmed]

Anyone tried the Lidl trickle chargers?

[MikkiJayne]

I use my Ctek outside a lot but I run a mains extension to the car. For the D2 the charger sits in the boot and the boot will easily close with the mains cable in the seal. For A4/A6 I'll put the charger in the cabin and use the Ctek extension through the door hinge and under the bonnet at the base of the screen. Again, the door shuts with the cable in it just fine.

[Markiii]

Originally Posted by steamship

Well timed tintin, as I have been considering purchasing two of these.

For those that have them, is anyone using them with the car outside (no garage), as I was wondering if you could string two of the 2.5m extension leads together with them.

EDIT: Forgot to add that the cheapest place I could find them was Amazon at £68.94

I've done that with 3 x extension leads and teh car in question has been using this happily for over a year

[steamship]

Originally Posted by Markiii

I've done that with 3 x extension leads and teh car in question has been using this happily for over a year

Thanks. Good to know. Do you seal the connections in any way to prevent water ingress?

[ainarssems]

Originally Posted by Johnmed

Anyone tried the Lidl trickle chargers?

Yes. Works a treat and only £13 or so. It's lower amp @ 3.8A so will take longer to charge flat battery but above 80 percent charge and in maintenance mode it is 0.8A same like CTEK. It does not have regeneration mode but I don't think it does anything anyway.

[Ameiseuk]

+1 for CTEK charger. Have one now in my camper project permanently installed under the passenger seat.

The Lidl ones are ok however you have to select which battery you want to charge every time you switch it on (which on the camper was a bit of a faff)
They also won't charge anything which has dropped below 10v

The CTEK will remember your settings and lift a very low battery over a 24hr period back to life.

Personally the CTEK is worth the extra money

[Architex_mA8tey]

I should add that I bought my 2 CTEK 5 Chargers at the same Auction in Scotland that I bought the pair of New D2 Bi Xenon Headlights at - I won the chargers at about £18 odd each which was a bargain even then.
it was via https://www.johnpyeauctions.co.uk/

[47p2]

Been using CTEK (and others) for years so here's my findings...

The older CTEK chargers and Lidl chargers don't restart automatically if the power source is disturbed so you will be required to reset them before they charge again

Don't leave the charger on your battery permanently as it will eventually destroy the cells. It takes a couple of years to do this and the battery will require to be replaced

CTEK housing is waterproof but make sure you use a minimum IP65 waterproof connection at any mains joints if you are using outdoors. 240v gives the human body one heck of a jolt and possible death...

Best to connect the CTEK and top up the battery once a week then remove the CTEK

[steamship]

Originally Posted by 47p2

CTEK housing is waterproof but make sure you use a minimum IP65 waterproof connection at any mains joints if you are using outdoors. 240v gives the human body one heck of a jolt and possible death...

That was my only concern about running with a couple of extension leads.

Been there, done that... didn't like it!

[Markiii]

Originally Posted by steamship

Thanks. Good to know. Do you seal the connections in any way to prevent water ingress?

nope and never yet been an issue