Correct use of a Battery Trickle Charger?

Welton · Mar 20th, 2020, 10:10

Bought an 'intelligent' trickle charger recently from Lidl. Haven't really studied it yet but how do you use these devices when connecting direct to the battery terminals?

Disconnect the car's own battery leads first?

Leave the leads connected?

We have a 'spare' car at most times and what with everything going on now I might tuck one away for a few weeks 'on charge'.....

ITSv40 · Mar 20th, 2020, 10:30

If it is similar to the CTEK chargers where they monitor the condition of the battery leave everything connected. The charger then charges and discharges the battery to keep it in optimum condition and the car is always 'on the button'

Zebster · Mar 20th, 2020, 10:34

No idea what model you have, but later models have a sophisticated charge-monitoring system that needs to know what charge is being introduced by a remote charger, in which case the positive connection of the charger goes directly onto the battery positive post while the negative connection of the charger has to go to the vehicle chassis or engine block, ensuring that the current then runs via the sensor built in to the vehicle negative lead.

No need to disconnect the battery UNLESS you run the 'battery refresh' mode

Red Tony · Mar 21st, 2020, 12:52

I got a low battery warning. Sure enough the [main] battery reads 12.4v. Put my intelligent charger on, red on terminal, black on chassis, per the manual. Got contact break error message [uh?] Meter on; red on terminal, black on chassis > 23.6v. So that's with the little battery in series then? [tho i cannot see the little battery in my 2016 XC60, doesn't seem to be per manual picture].

So do I recharge, red on main terminal, black on chassis at 24v? Recharge the main battery only at 12v [manual says NOT to attach to -ve pole, it upsets the electronics], which will then flow thru to the little 'un?

Thanks for suggestions

Dastardly Diesel · Mar 21st, 2020, 22:16

Mines connected directly to the battery poles, no problem. Car doesn't seem to care less.

Mar 20th, 2020, 10:10	#1
Welton Premier Member Last Online: Sep 14th, 2021 17:03 Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Market Harborough	Correct use of a Battery Trickle Charger? Bought an 'intelligent' trickle charger recently from Lidl. Haven't really studied it yet but how do you use these devices when connecting direct to the battery terminals? Disconnect the car's own battery leads first? Leave the leads connected? We have a 'spare' car at most times and what with everything going on now I might tuck one away for a few weeks 'on charge'..... __________________ 2005 S40 T5 SE - Manual. Bilstein B4's. (For Sale) 2010 Citroen C4 1.6 HDi (bizarre Gearbox model). 2010 Renault Twingo (refreshingly simple) 2018 Infiniti Q30 1.6T Business Executive (what's this button do?)

Mar 20th, 2020, 10:30	#2
ITSv40 VOC Member Last Online: Today 11:53 Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Northampton	If it is similar to the CTEK chargers where they monitor the condition of the battery leave everything connected. The charger then charges and discharges the battery to keep it in optimum condition and the car is always 'on the button' __________________ 2001 V40 2.0lt Sport lux - Daily Driver. 174k miles. 2003 C70 2.4 GT Convertible - Garage Queen. 65k miles. http://www.neptuno6benagil.com

Mar 20th, 2020, 10:34	#3
Zebster Upstanding Member Last Online: Sep 12th, 2023 11:29 Join Date: Mar 2018 Location: Ludlow	No idea what model you have, but later models have a sophisticated charge-monitoring system that needs to know what charge is being introduced by a remote charger, in which case the positive connection of the charger goes directly onto the battery positive post while the negative connection of the charger has to go to the vehicle chassis or engine block, ensuring that the current then runs via the sensor built in to the vehicle negative lead. No need to disconnect the battery UNLESS you run the 'battery refresh' mode __________________ GONE: 2015 V60 D4 181 (VEA) R-Design Lux Nav manual in black

Mar 21st, 2020, 12:52	#4
Red Tony New Member Last Online: Mar 30th, 2024 11:00 Join Date: Jul 2015 Location: Watford	I got a low battery warning. Sure enough the [main] battery reads 12.4v. Put my intelligent charger on, red on terminal, black on chassis, per the manual. Got contact break error message [uh?] Meter on; red on terminal, black on chassis > 23.6v. So that's with the little battery in series then? [tho i cannot see the little battery in my 2016 XC60, doesn't seem to be per manual picture]. So do I recharge, red on main terminal, black on chassis at 24v? Recharge the main battery only at 12v [manual says NOT to attach to -ve pole, it upsets the electronics], which will then flow thru to the little 'un? Thanks for suggestions

Mar 21st, 2020, 22:16	#5
Dastardly Diesel Senior Member Last Online: May 14th, 2020 13:58 Join Date: Jul 2019 Location: The countryside	Mines connected directly to the battery poles, no problem. Car doesn't seem to care less.

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