Cigarette Lighter Reverse Charge

[w1lde1]

Hi

Can i confirm that on a 2004 4200 model the Cigarette Lighter do not work whilst the car is not on/running?

The reason for asking is that i am looking at a Solar Powered 12V 1.5W Battery Auto Trickle Charger which ideally would plug into the lighter socket whilst my car is parked up. Otherwise it would need connecting directly to the battery which would mean finding a path for the cables between the boot and back window.

Anyone else done this before please?

Thanks

 

[CatmanV2]

Hi

Can i confirm that on a 2004 4200 model the Cigarette Lighter do not work whilst the car is not on/running?

The reason for asking is that i am looking at a Solar Powered 12V 1.5W Battery Auto Trickle Charger which ideally would plug into the lighter socket whilst my car is parked up. Otherwise it would need connecting directly to the battery which would mean finding a path for the cables between the boot and back window.

Anyone else done this before please?

Thanks

There's another socket in the boot which is powered all the time, but you are correct. The one in the cabin is controlled by the ignition.

For what it's worth I really doubt that it'll make much difference. Although someone has reported their GTS (I think) is fine after a couple of weeks, simple maths suggests that, in England, at least, the output of a solar charger is about 2/3 of sod all


C

 

[D Walker]

There's another socket in the boot which is powered all the time, but you are correct. The one in the cabin is controlled by the ignition.

For what it's worth I really doubt that it'll make much difference. Although someone has reported their GTS (I think) is fine after a couple of weeks, simple maths suggests that, in England, at least, the output of a solar charger is about 2/3 of sod all


C

Is it possible to get a charger / conditioner that works through the rear 12v point - or are they all requiring connecting straight to the battery?

Dave

 

[CatmanV2]

Is it possible to get a charger / conditioner that works through the rear 12v point - or are they all requiring connecting straight to the battery?

Dave

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/CTEK-Comf...687554?hash=item23590a1202:g:Fh8AAOSwEetV-B5b

Or just add your own plug to the flying leads:

http://www.maplin.co.uk/p/car-accessory-plug-3a-fuse-and-power-led-bv46a

C

 

[MAF260]

There's another socket in the boot which is powered all the time, but you are correct. The one in the cabin is controlled by the ignition.

For what it's worth I really doubt that it'll make much difference. Although someone has reported their GTS (I think) is fine after a couple of weeks, simple maths suggests that, in England, at least, the output of a solar charger is about 2/3 of sod all

I used a solar charger to great effect on my old E30 convertible which was often parked up for weeks/months on end. I got fed up with jump starting it or charging the battery off the car so invested in one (from ebay, I think) and never had an issue subsequently. I'll see if I can find it in the garage at some point to find out which make it is - certainly had enough output for the requirement.

 

[CatmanV2]

I used a solar charger to great effect on my old E30 convertible which was often parked up for weeks/months on end. I got fed up with jump starting it or charging the battery off the car so invested in one (from ebay, I think) and never had an issue subsequently. I'll see if I can find it in the garage at some point to find out which make it is - certainly had enough output for the requirement.

Interesting. Certainly would be good to know the output etc

C

 

[drewf]

Also had good success with a solar charger from Maplin, which I used on the Cayenne when left at an airport for 6/7 week stints.

 

[alfamaserman]

Always used a Ctek connected to a fly lead across the battery terminals. The cable is thin enough to allow the boot to close.

 

[D Walker]

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/CTEK-Comf...687554?hash=item23590a1202:g:Fh8AAOSwEetV-B5b

Or just add your own plug to the flying leads:

http://www.maplin.co.uk/p/car-accessory-plug-3a-fuse-and-power-led-bv46a

C

Excuse my ignorance - So I take it there is no reverse polarity protection and a CTEK connected to the rear 12v socket will keep the battery optimised??

 

[miket]

Always used a Ctek connected to a fly lead across the battery terminals. The cable is thin enough to allow the boot to close.

Not a good idea to charge with boot closed, you can get a build up of potentially explosive gases (by product from the charging process)
Read this: http://www.hse.gov.uk/pubns/indg139.pdf

 

[mjheathcote]

Not a good idea to charge with boot closed, you can get a build up of potentially explosive gases (by product from the charging process)
Read this: http://www.hse.gov.uk/pubns/indg139.pdf

The battery should be vented to outside. Mine was, and retained when I replaced the battery.

 

[Ebenezer]

What's the difference charging a bettery with a CTEK with the boot closed, and charging it with teh alternator, with the book closed?
Eb

 

[alfamaserman]

What's the difference charging a bettery with a CTEK with the boot closed, and charging it with teh alternator, with the book closed?
Eb

Yes that's what I thought too but I'm happy to accept that charging with the boot closed may not be best practice even at 0.8amp.

 

[CatmanV2]

Excuse my ignorance - So I take it there is no reverse polarity protection and a CTEK connected to the rear 12v socket will keep the battery optimised??

Well the CTEK protects itself, but you do need to make sure it's connected the correct way. If you add your own cigarette plug (which, no offence, I'd suggest you don't), you'd want the positive output from the CTEK to go to the tip.

If you buy the CTEK comfort lead, then the plug between it and the CTEK is polarity protected.

Make sense?

C

 

[D Walker]

Well the CTEK protects itself, but you do need to make sure it's connected the correct way. If you add your own cigarette plug (which, no offence, I'd suggest you don't), you'd want the positive output from the CTEK to go to the tip.

If you buy the CTEK comfort lead, then the plug between it and the CTEK is polarity protected.

Make sense?

C

Yep, I can solder etc, just a bit electronics rusty, but for the couple of quid may as well buy the bits!!
Thanks

 

[CatmanV2]

Yep, I can solder etc, just a bit electronics rusty, but for the couple of quid may as well buy the bits!!
Thanks

Always a pleasure. If you're anywhere near, I'd be happy to help.

I have one of these:

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/CTEK-COMF...061654?hash=item27af513e16:g:38wAAOSwd4tT7kRn

I've mounted it on the panel next to the battery access flap, and it's nice and neat, and gives an indication of the battery voltage.

C

 

[Zep]

If you add your own cigarette plug (which, no offence, I'd suggest you don't), you'd want the positive output from the CTEK to go to the tip.

I connect my charger in this way, why would it be a bad thing?

 

[CatmanV2]

I connect my charger in this way, why would it be a bad thing?

Ah, I was more concerned at the level of technical expertise indicated by the questions....
..hence the 'no offence' tag.
C

 

[D Walker]

It's my fault, too lazy to look at diagrams etc when it's just as easy to ask questions on here.

Wouldn't think I used to repair laser range finders, thermal imagers and electronic fire control systems!!! Amongst other things, age old adage, don't use it, forget it!!!

Lol!

 

[CatmanV2]

It's my fault, too lazy to look at diagrams etc when it's just as easy to ask questions on here.

Wouldn't think I used to repair laser range finders, thermal imagers and electronic fire control systems!!! Amongst other things, age old adage, don't use it, forget it!!!

Lol!

I know that feeling

C