Battery charger recommendations please

[uniacidz]

Projecta Automatic 12V 6200mA 2 Stage Battery Charger I have

$20 or so off ebay, 2nd hand in excellent condition

Does the trick

[Itsme]

Originally Posted by CoolBFWagon

Not sure if its a myth or not but we used to get told at my old workshop that leaving any type of auto battery on a concrete floor will discharge it.

Can't see how that is possible really?

This was true decades ago when battery cases were made from different materials, these days battery cases are made of plastic which makes your statement a myth these days.

[aussiblue]

Probably more than a century ago now. The first lead-acid batteries consisted of glass cells that were enclosed in tar-lined wooden boxes. A damp concrete floor could cause the wood to swell, breaking the glass inside. But it has also been suggested that old hard rubber cased car batteries had cases porous enough that battery acid could seep through it and create a conductive path through the damp concrete, draining the battery.

[Mercury Bullet]

Originally Posted by Tassie f100

Don't totally agree.Most alternators are banging up to 100 amps into flat batteries

Yep and that is why modern alternators kill batteries.

Remember the old pre EFI falcons that had 20 amp alternators.
They never blew batteries the way modern cars can.

[Tassie f100]

I get your point but you are a bit out There never were 20 amp alternators.The smallest Lucas or Bosch used in Aust were 35 then 40 then 55 and so on.But does the alternator kill the battery or batteries made of lighter materials that just don't last

[Itsme]

Originally Posted by Tassie f100

Don't totally agree.Most alternators are banging up to 100 amps into flat batteries

Your comment is totally wrong, battery will take what amp charge it will need when charging regardless how high of an amp rating of alternator, remember the regulator also decides what charge rate is for the battery when charging.

[Tassie f100]

Originally Posted by trublu

Your comment is totally wrong, battery will take what amp charge it will need when charging regardless how high of an amp rating of alternator, remember the regulator also decides what charge rate is for the battery when charging.

Whatever you say must be right!

[BFIIGhiaZF6]

Decent ammeter, 530CCA Ford Motorcraft battery and $75 (Bunnings) Projecta 4300mA Automatic Charge/Maintain does the the job for me

[sr71]

Originally Posted by Blue Dog

If you are considering getting a CTEK battery charger, now might be a good time to get one as there is a 20% discount offer on ebay up to the 11th June.

See here:

https://www.ebay.com.au/sch/m.html?_...harger&_sop=16

Thanks Blue Dog.
I checked this out and went with a 5amp charger :
Ctek MXS 5. It came with alligator clips. Plus I got a pack of 3 connectors with eyelet connectors to fit permanently onto battery M6/M8 terminal bolts.
Cost about $105, with 20% discount. It seems they've always got a 5,10 or 20% discount.
The beauty of Ctek is that it's a system. The plugs can have battery condition indicators, extension leads and panel mount indicators. A mate bought the Bluetooth connector. So within range, he can check battery % charged on his phone.
The 3 pack of connectors was only $26.
This year I paid $220 at supercheap for a 16A Charger. It got a battery charged again, but swollen at the ends. The battery was 3 years old and unused for 9 months?? I think multiple Ctek chargers is a better option.
The Ctek 0.8A would work as a trickle charger for small batteries.
then Ctek 3.8A for small & medium. But similar price to the 5.0A.
and Ctek 5.0A (mine) which will do small to large SUV batteries, and AGM as well.
The Lithium 5.0A is for next generation batteries. This is what you'll need if you've got a Lithium battery.

I reckon for maintaining multiple cars, the MXS 5.0 and permanent connector on each car. Then just alternate every week or two between vehicles ( after 10 days on trickle, they cycle back to start)
OR
An MXS3.8 or 5.0 for each vehicle.