djvoodoo Posted July 3, 2015 Share Posted July 3, 2015 I don't think this topic has been discussed much at all on SAU. I know a few people on SAU use trickle chargers. This will be a first for me. I bought myself a Trickle charger from Jaycar, but have been given advice that I need to disconnect the battery from the car so that I don't ruin the Alternator or other electronics if there is a current surge from 240V. A few questions I have. 1. Owning an R34 GTR, where the battery in the boot, it's not very well ventilated. Are people removing their batteries from the car? Kind of defeats the purpose of a quick solution. 2. The car only gets taken out on weekends. Am i better off simply disconnecting the -ve terminal for the week? Have i wasted my $$$ on the charger? What other tips do people have when using a Trickle charger? Link to comment https://www.sau.com.au/forums/topic/457967-using-trickle-chargers/ Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hadouken Posted July 3, 2015 Share Posted July 3, 2015 I do this, Disconnect +Ve side on the battery and leave it. It has been fine for me for up 6 months. When I come back from lengthy times away, I put the car on the trickle over night and that is perfect. With the +ve side disconnected instead of the -ve I don't see how there can be a problem with sending a surge through the car.... Link to comment https://www.sau.com.au/forums/topic/457967-using-trickle-chargers/#findComment-7562088 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hadouken Posted July 3, 2015 Share Posted July 3, 2015 And I think the trickle charger would fry before it got to the car if it had to process a dick load of current in a surge. Link to comment https://www.sau.com.au/forums/topic/457967-using-trickle-chargers/#findComment-7562090 Share on other sites More sharing options...
GeeDog Posted July 4, 2015 Share Posted July 4, 2015 Given that there is a 20:1 step-down in the charger (240V input, 12V or so output) there would need to be a huge input voltage surge to damage any car electronics. Do you have a surge arrester in your meter box - a big enough surge to damage anything in the car will also take out most of your house electronics. I use a 1 amp trickle charger on a motorbike, but I run it off a timer so it's only on for an hour each day. This helps prevent over-charging the battery. Have done this for many years and battery life has been great. Link to comment https://www.sau.com.au/forums/topic/457967-using-trickle-chargers/#findComment-7562092 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sinista32 Posted July 4, 2015 Share Posted July 4, 2015 My experience is using a Trickle charger is fine. In my case If I disconnect the battery the mongoose alarm goes off. So I leave both terminals connected while charging. Generally only connect it up if I'm leaving the GTR in situ for over a few weeks. Link to comment https://www.sau.com.au/forums/topic/457967-using-trickle-chargers/#findComment-7562097 Share on other sites More sharing options...
zoomzoom Posted July 4, 2015 Share Posted July 4, 2015 Digital trickle chargers are cheap. They will monitor the battery voltage, its response to a charging current and then maintain the battery as needed. Set and forget. Link to comment https://www.sau.com.au/forums/topic/457967-using-trickle-chargers/#findComment-7562103 Share on other sites More sharing options...
djvoodoo Posted July 4, 2015 Author Share Posted July 4, 2015 Given that there is a 20:1 step-down in the charger (240V input, 12V or so output) there would need to be a huge input voltage surge to damage any car electronics. Do you have a surge arrester in your meter box - a big enough surge to damage anything in the car will also take out most of your house electronics. I use a 1 amp trickle charger on a motorbike, but I run it off a timer so it's only on for an hour each day. This helps prevent over-charging the battery. Have done this for many years and battery life has been great. Having it on a timer is a brilliant idea. Might give that a go. The charger i got is: http://www.jaycar.com.au/PRODUCTS/Power-Products-Electrical/Charging/SLA-GEL-Chargers/6V-%26-12V-Heavy-Duty-8A-Car-Battery-Charger-with-Trickle-Charge/p/MB3522 I guess my main issue is that the car is kept in a downstairs garage (unit block) and I don't want to come home to an inferno. I understand that most batteries when on charge can emit gasses, which could cause a fire. If anyone has seen the battery location on a 34R, it's an enclosed, tight space with a tonne of carpet surrounding metal Link to comment https://www.sau.com.au/forums/topic/457967-using-trickle-chargers/#findComment-7562110 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hadouken Posted July 4, 2015 Share Posted July 4, 2015 Lol. I'm sure everyone on here knows where the battery is. It's not like 33's are any different. Besides, any good trickle charger won't cook your battery. And if you are so concerned about then remove it from the car. Link to comment https://www.sau.com.au/forums/topic/457967-using-trickle-chargers/#findComment-7562125 Share on other sites More sharing options...
scotty nm35 Posted July 4, 2015 Share Posted July 4, 2015 The whole idea of trickle charging is to leave the charger on the battery constantly. I don't like charging at high voltage/current with the battery connected in the car, but trickle charging should be fine. Link to comment https://www.sau.com.au/forums/topic/457967-using-trickle-chargers/#findComment-7562130 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Piggaz Posted July 4, 2015 Share Posted July 4, 2015 Have used a Jaycar trickle charger on my R33 GTR for the past 8 years. I come in, open the boot, plug it in and walk away. When I want to use the car I'll unplug it and drive off. Never an issue. Link to comment https://www.sau.com.au/forums/topic/457967-using-trickle-chargers/#findComment-7562152 Share on other sites More sharing options...
JH32 Posted July 4, 2015 Share Posted July 4, 2015 I guess my main issue is that the car is kept in a downstairs garage (unit block) and I don't want to come home to an inferno. I understand that most batteries when on charge can emit gasses, which could cause a fire. When you are driving the car the alternator is charging the battery, so there should be no difference really Link to comment https://www.sau.com.au/forums/topic/457967-using-trickle-chargers/#findComment-7562158 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Piggaz Posted July 4, 2015 Share Posted July 4, 2015 Shouldn't it be a sealed unit if it's in the boot of R34? Link to comment https://www.sau.com.au/forums/topic/457967-using-trickle-chargers/#findComment-7562166 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ben C34 Posted July 4, 2015 Share Posted July 4, 2015 The unit that the op linked isn't really a trickle charger. Link to comment https://www.sau.com.au/forums/topic/457967-using-trickle-chargers/#findComment-7562175 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hadouken Posted July 4, 2015 Share Posted July 4, 2015 Shouldn't it be a sealed unit if it's in the boot of R34? Same as 33. Acid battery with vent tube that runs from the battery to the outside of the car. Link to comment https://www.sau.com.au/forums/topic/457967-using-trickle-chargers/#findComment-7562196 Share on other sites More sharing options...
GTR-N1 Posted July 5, 2015 Share Posted July 5, 2015 The BNR34 has charging terminals in the front under the fuse box. The main possible problem is reversing polarity (by accident). If you're so concerned about surges from lightning strikes just put a surge protector between the trickle charger and the power point the same way you protect your computer. Link to comment https://www.sau.com.au/forums/topic/457967-using-trickle-chargers/#findComment-7562981 Share on other sites More sharing options...
djvoodoo Posted July 6, 2015 Author Share Posted July 6, 2015 The BNR34 has charging terminals in the front under the fuse box. The main possible problem is reversing polarity (by accident). If you're so concerned about surges from lightning strikes just put a surge protector between the trickle charger and the power point the same way you protect your computer. Learn something new everyday. Did not know that. Makes it a hell of a lot easier if this is the case 1 Link to comment https://www.sau.com.au/forums/topic/457967-using-trickle-chargers/#findComment-7563117 Share on other sites More sharing options...
djr81 Posted July 6, 2015 Share Posted July 6, 2015 Just get one of the first three of these. They turn themselves off every night and restart automatically the next morning. http://www.supercheapauto.com.au/online-store/4wd-and-outdoors/solar-power-and-generators/solar-panels-and-kits.aspx?id=1021381 Link to comment https://www.sau.com.au/forums/topic/457967-using-trickle-chargers/#findComment-7563124 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hadouken Posted July 6, 2015 Share Posted July 6, 2015 Learn something new everyday. Did not know that. Makes it a hell of a lot easier if this is the case Lol, look at the fuse box and you will see a (+) and a (-) each next to a metal tab. Surely you didnt think that if you wanted to jump start your car that they would make you do it in the boot... Link to comment https://www.sau.com.au/forums/topic/457967-using-trickle-chargers/#findComment-7563136 Share on other sites More sharing options...
djvoodoo Posted July 6, 2015 Author Share Posted July 6, 2015 Lol, look at the fuse box and you will see a (+) and a (-) each next to a metal tab. Surely you didnt think that if you wanted to jump start your car that they would make you do it in the boot... ok ok, geez, chill out man. Link to comment https://www.sau.com.au/forums/topic/457967-using-trickle-chargers/#findComment-7563202 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hadouken Posted July 6, 2015 Share Posted July 6, 2015 Not a dig. Just the internet 2 Link to comment https://www.sau.com.au/forums/topic/457967-using-trickle-chargers/#findComment-7563211 Share on other sites More sharing options...
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