whbs Posted June 2, 2008 Share Posted June 2, 2008 Hello all. I bought a low wattage little battery charger which, according to the instructions, can be left permanently attached to the car (motorhome) battery. It keeps it trickle charged so it's always fresh - ideal if one isn't using the van for a while. It's a bit of a faff to connect it with the spring clips to the battery and have the lead out from under the bonnet, through the van window and plugged into the mains. Does anyone know if it is feasible to take off the battery clips and connect a 'cigar lighter' plug and instead of connecting it directly to the battery, plug it into the cigar lighter? Will this charge the battery? Thanks in anticipation. - Bill. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
davenewellhome Posted June 2, 2008 Share Posted June 2, 2008 Depends on what van you have really. Some have the ciggy lighter socket permanently live others it is ignition switched. This is a prime example of why forum members should put the van details in their profile. D. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
whbs Posted June 2, 2008 Author Share Posted June 2, 2008 Silly me - It's a Compass Calypso on a 2002 Volkswagen T4 - Bill Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Frankkia Posted June 2, 2008 Share Posted June 2, 2008 I had one of these low amp chargers which was left attached to the car, in the garage, whilst we were away for the winter in the 'van. On our return the battery had a cell failure and the charger had overheated to the point of melting the case before it fused. I now have a small 1 amp charger which I attach via a time switch which runs the charger for 1 hour a day (sufficient to keep the battery charged even with the alarm on). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
whbs Posted June 2, 2008 Author Share Posted June 2, 2008 Wow! Salutary tale. Sounds like a good idea to put it on a time switch. I've checked and the cig lighter socket in our Calypso is live all the time - does this mean we can use that to charge it (Dave) ? Bill Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Frankkia Posted June 2, 2008 Share Posted June 2, 2008 If your ciggy lighter is permanently live you should have no problem using a trickle charger with a plug on the end. Just be carefull connecting and disconnecting (suggest plug in to lighter socket then turn power on. then before unplugging turn power off). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Itexuk Posted June 3, 2008 Share Posted June 3, 2008 I use an Optimate charger that I have for my motorbike. Find it great to keep Habitation battery topped up. You can leave it on all the time http://www.varta-motorcycle-batteries.co.uk/shop/detail.asp?ProductGroupID=3847 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dave Newell Posted June 3, 2008 Share Posted June 3, 2008 Hi Bill, yes as Bernie says, you can connect your charger via the permanent live ciggy socket. Make sure you get the polarity correct when you fit the ciggy plug to your charger's output wires though. D. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
whbs Posted June 3, 2008 Author Share Posted June 3, 2008 Very many thanks for the advice. Much appreciated. Dave - further to posts some time ago, may I pass on a piece of info in case you don't know re T Mobile internet via phone/laptop. If you are on PAYG, you can send a text saying "web" to 441. This will give you five days internet for £2.50. Within 30 minutes, T-Mobile will text you to let you know that the pass is ready to go and this access will continue until midnight 5 full days later. Cheers - Bill Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dave Newell Posted June 3, 2008 Share Posted June 3, 2008 whbs - 2008-06-03 9:46 AM Very many thanks for the advice. Much appreciated. Dave - further to posts some time ago, may I pass on a piece of info in case you don't know re T Mobile internet via phone/laptop. If you are on PAYG, you can send a text saying "web" to 441. This will give you five days internet for £2.50. Within 30 minutes, T-Mobile will text you to let you know that the pass is ready to go and this access will continue until midnight 5 full days later. Cheers - Bill Thanks for the info Bill. D. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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