Dacia Duster - Battery charger

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Wed 11 Dec 2024 16:52
Dacia Duster - Battery charger - BeeJay71

Hi all,

I have a small compact charger that I connect to the car battery during wintery conditions to keep the fairly new battery "topped up" the unit is not designed to charge a flat battery & I've used it a lot in Winter.

What I'm going to do this winter is connect the charger to the battery as normal, the unit would then be plugged into a waterproof socket outside the garage. Then instead of lifting the bonnet to disconnect in a morning, I'll be leaving the charger leads connected, but isolated at the socket outlet. Obviously I'll make an easy access, waterproof connection behind the bumper to link the two. I can't see a problem having the charger connected to the battery whilst the engine is running. I've merely posted this up for any comments that might agree/disagree.

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Wed 11 Dec 2024 17:06
Dacia Duster - Battery charger - Xileno

I am not an electrician but that doesn't sound sensible to me. As well as the waterproof socket outside the garage, I would also install a waterproof cupboard for the charger, then you just run the lead to the socket behind the bumper.

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Wed 11 Dec 2024 17:26
Dacia Duster - Battery charger - elekie&a/c doctor
Can’t really see any advantage in doing that . The connectors at the battery would need to be screwed down , not using croc clips. The free and of the charging lead(battery side ) would need a waterproof connector to stop any moisture entering while it’s not connected. Also you run the risk of driving off with it all connected.
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Thu 12 Dec 2024 03:35
Dacia Duster - Battery charger - edlithgow

I had a small UPS connected up to the Skywing battery in a similar fashion for a while. Didn't cause any trouble, but of course that doesn't mean it couldnt have.

The leads will be subjected to 14.2 or so applied voltage, with maybe higher spikes (?) when the engine is running, which they wont be tested for and I suppose might not like.

The internal battery on these little UPS eventually fail, and replacing them would be maintenance, and thus inconsistent with Taiwan culture, so the dead UPS were available in quantity for free. Car battery just replaced internal UPS battery via leads run through the case.

Gave me battery topup charging and the ability to run my (dead battery) laptop off 120V AC in the car, though I didn't really do that much.

Landlord withdrew routine parking rights, meaning I couldn't charge it via my room window, so I took it out.

Edited by edlithgow on 12/12/2024 at 04:42

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Thu 12 Dec 2024 11:27
Dacia Duster - Battery charger - skidpan

When I was competing in the Caterham most owners in the non-roadgoing classes used the smallest battery that had capacity to power the ignition, fuel pump and instruments, any extra was pointless. Most used a sealed Golf Trolley type battery. For starting we had a pair of starter sized cables attached to that battery that terminated at an Anderson plug (www.12voltplanet.co.uk/anderson-power-connectors.h...l) that was fixed in an easy to access place and a normal car battery that had a pair of starter cables attached that again terminated in an Anderson plug (I used quick release battery clamps to connect them to the starter battery).

The smaller type they sell should be ideal for connecting a battery charger and cable entry sleeves are available to prevent water ingress. Would still need placing somewhere its a bit protected though.

But I cannot see why you would want to carry the charger with you, that bits seems crazy to me.

Edited by skidpan on 12/12/2024 at 11:28

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Sun 15 Dec 2024 20:46
Dacia Duster - Battery charger - focussed

A somewhat easier solution is the Bikestart kit intended for BMW bikes but adaptable for any bike or car. The socket is mounted anywhere accessible, wired up to the battery and the other half of the kit with the plug clipped on to a slave battery.

The bike battery is under the fuel tank and is a b****r to get to.

Needed on my BMW R1100S as the compression ratio is 11.3 to 1 and it makes the first start of the day, swinging over in effect two 550 cc singles in cold weather or when the battery is less than 100% a lot more positive.

Well made & sturdy with nice long leads.

www.motorworks.co.uk/bikestart-kit-tea00001-1.html

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Fri 20 Dec 2024 16:14
Dacia Duster - Battery charger - BeeJay71

Hi skidpan.

With respect, I can't work out why you would think I'd be carrying a charger around with me?

The battery maintainer charger, is compact, quite heavy for its size, & sturdy, but small enough to sit in the palm of your hand, (That's if you wanted to carry it around with you for whatever reason)? In my case, it will be securely anchored under the bonnet, the leads then connected to the vehicle battery. The mains feed to the charger from the waterproof socket outlet that's affixed to the garage wall, terminates at a weather proof connector behind the bumper, which then continues the feed to the battery. When it needs to be disconnected, (so we don't drive away taking the garage & all my tools etc) an easy access to the splitter is all it needs to break the circuit. Being well retired, the car doesn't get used as much as it used to, we'd rather be out on the Harley, so this little gizmo is perfect to keep the motor fully charged. I hope that clears up your comment.

Take care BJ

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Fri 20 Dec 2024 17:46
Dacia Duster - Battery charger - Andrew-T
Also you run the risk of driving off with it all connected.

To me, that sounds like a sensible consideration. Plus I don't like the idea of an electrical connector 'behind the bumper' being subjected to everything the wheels throw about, never mind driving into deepish water ?

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