I have fitted an auxiliary socket for this purpose. Best to fit it as close
as possible to the battery, and wire it direct to the battery using at least
the same size cable used for the starter motor supply. Our battery is in the
engine compartment, so I mounted the socket on top of the foot well right
next to the battery,. I made a small access door in the upper cowl on the
same lines as the ones used for oil and water checks.
It came in very useful last winter when I had to make some sub zero starts
on an ageing battery.
There are charging plug and sockets available, as used on electric fork lift
trucks, which are rated at 100+ amps, these are ideal to carry the starting
current required for a jump start. Look out for the smaller versions of
these though, some of them are far to big and heavy for the job.
I can't see any reason why the battery should be totally disconnected for
charging, especially as the master switch should effectively cut the
connection to the rest of the electric's.
Jim
> I have also used this same Gunson charger in automatic mode on my aircraft
> battery (normal lead acid)and found it to be quick and effective.
However,
> I have always disconnected the aircraft cables from both the +ve and -ve
> terminals of the battery prior to charging. Is this strictly necessary?
>
> One other question concerns auxiliary power sockets for those occasions
> where the battery has run down for some reason and you're far from a
battery
> charger. How do people wire such sockets up to the battery? Is it simply
> direct to the terminals? What sort of socket do you use and where do you
> mount it? Could such sockets also be used for trickle or fast charging
the
> battery without having to take the cowls off?
>
> Any thoughts most welcome.
>
> David
> GBWJH
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: owner-europa@aztec.houxou.com
> Subject: Re: Battery Charging
>
>
> I always use an inexpensive automatic charger made by Gunsons. Available
in
> the UK for around 20 from Argos. I use it on all the Gas RC batteries we
> sell as well as my own batteries on cars and aircraft. It delivers a high
> charge to bring the battery up to charge and then reduces the charge
> automatically until it virtually switches off. Far better than a trickle
> charge and hardly any more expensive.
>
> Jerry
>
> LTS@avnet.co.uk
> http://www.avnet.co.uk/touchdown
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: John Cliff <john@crixbinfield.freeserve.co.uk>
> Subject: RE: Battery Charging
>
>
> > Forwarded from the bounce bin. Message is from
> > "Cliff Shaw" <flyinggpa@home.com>
> >
> > ***************************************************
> >
> > Martin
> >
> > Good you ask about trickle charging. I am now working on a charger for
> Bob;'
> > Europa, Beep Beep, that will do just that.
> >
> > We picked up a 600ma plug in the wall 12 volt charger. I tested it with
a
> > multimeter and it does charge around 1/2 amp when the battery is down.
> That
> > would be OK for a overnight "kick" but too much to leave on for weeks at
a
> > time. I am installing a 30 ohm resister in series with the charge line
to
> > the battery to reduce the charge rate to 50 or 60 ma. I think this is
> much
> > better for long term use. The voltage on the battery with the trickle
> should
> > be not more than 14.2 volts. I will be happier with 13.8 volts. It
voltage
> > depends on the battery and the temperature.
> >
> > I hope this helps. Use this info with your desecration, it comes from my
> > experience, not an engineer degree.
> >
> > Have fun
> > Cliff Shaw
> >
> >
>
>
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