Vehicle Starter Battery - Charging

[Nigel W]

Update on battery charge. My main battery is still low on power after standing a day or two. Engine starts but turns very slowly. Garage says the battery is ok and suggested using a solar trickle charger. I have ctek time to go charger but think that a solar trickle which plugs into 12v socket on dash would be good as I can use this when we are away camping.
Any suggestions please?? I have seen several solar chargers on amazon but don’t know if they are suitable for my Varta AMG battery.

Mine sits for weeks on end unused so I keep one of these plugged into the cig socket. It will not charge the battery but it does keep it topped up.
https://www.amazon.co.uk/ALLPOWERS-...HRWWQ09N4DGP&refRID=0DZJY45WHRWWQ09N4DGP&th=1

 

[Martin Nolan]

Thanks for the advice and the link. Do I need a charge controller as well to stop it overcharging?

 

[Dellmassive]

Yes, a solar charge controller is recommended, most kits will come with one. (PWM are cheaper and more basic).

 

[Martin Nolan]

Thanks. Have ordered this.. It plugs into the OBD socket. Been told that I don’t need a charge controller
? Any thoughts?

 

[widu13]

As a guide ,under 20w will be fine without a charge controller.

 

[FrankFisher]

Mine sits for weeks on end unused so I keep one of these plugged into the cig socket. It will not charge the battery but it does keep it topped up.
https://www.amazon.co.uk/ALLPOWERS-...HRWWQ09N4DGP&refRID=0DZJY45WHRWWQ09N4DGP&th=1

Which cig socket do you use, and is it always live by default?

 

[Nigel W]

Which cig socket do you use, and is it always live by default?

Either of the two on the dashboard and yes permanently live by default.

 

[Dellmassive]

Not keen on those low wattage/non solar controller versions myself (the two I tried were unable to charge up the battery (too lower power generated)) . . . . Keep us posted with your results.

Be mindful of fusing when dealing with 12v and batterys.

Sockets are 24/7 powered, if you have a factory leisure battery the top dash one will be leisure fed and lower mid dash starter fed.....if not the both starter fed.

A cheap 12v battery monitor will show you what's going on..

Battery Monitoring -- How I Done It --

.

 

[FrankFisher]

Either of the two on the dashboard and yes permanently live by default.

Great, thanks. I have an issue with the battery draining, so might get the same panel you have to keep it topped up. Do you unplug it at all or leave it in there permanently?

 

[Nigel W]

Great, thanks. I have an issue with the battery draining, so might get the same panel you have to keep it topped up. Do you unplug it at all or leave it in there permanently?

My van sits unused for months on end and I just leave it plugged in all the time whilst stationary - it does keep my battery topped up but it will not charge it from flat so ensure it is charged before setting up.
I think you must unplug it before you start the engine and not use whilst engine running - not sure if I am right but I would rather be safe than sorry.

 

[Davenjo]

Seeing as the van isn't likely to be going anywhere for sometime I decided to invest in a CTEK time to go. Today I've used for the first time and when first connected it showed 8+ hours of charge time remaining - just gone to check it after circa 4 hours and the 'Go" light is now on suggesting fully charged (to 80%).

Does anyone know how accurate these charge indicator lights normally are on these CTEK chargers and/or if this sounds right?

Thanks.

 

[Teesix]

I need to charge my starter battery. Do I need to disconnect the terminals first, or can I just turn the charger on with everything connected?
Thanks.

 

[The Bear78]

Quicke answer. Yes, you can leave it connected.

 

[Rioja John]

Connect your positive lead to battery positive and connect your negative cable to a good earth point and you’re good to go.

John.

 

[Teesix]

Nice one. Thanks chaps.

 

[Dellmassive]

Connect your positive lead to battery positive and connect your negative cable to a good earth point and you’re good to go.

John.

What he said...

Because of the power shunt sensor in the battery NEG terminal.

 

[DXX]

A battery specialist advised me that if you have a vehicle with a smart alternator it’s a good idea to put an external charge on every couple of months to prolong battery life. At the moment my solar is keeping it at 100%.

 

[roadtripper]

For temporary charging on a 6.1 you should just be able to clamp the the downstream side of the negative crimp

Battery Charging - Main Battery Chassis Point -

The two leads on the jump booster are that short for a reason... they only need to reach across the battery terminals...

www.t6forum.com

 

[Dellmassive]

For temporary charging on a 6.1 you should just be able to clamp the the downstream side of the negative crimp

Battery Charging - Main Battery Chassis Point -

The two leads on the jump booster are that short for a reason... they only need to reach across the battery terminals...

www.t6forum.com

a good tweak by VW on the T6.1

shame its not an option on the T6.

 

[roadtripper]

It's useful - I just wished they had arranged more support for the famously vulnerable LIN wire to the shunt.

VW seem a bit like SONY - for every good improvement there has to be something else missed or worse to keep balance in the universe