Battery charging ON or OFF ?

Hello all,

apologies if this is a dumb question, but I have read so many different opinions I am now thoroughly confused.

I have an 02 Range Rover L322 V8 and until recently it had no apparent battery problems but after a holiday where the RR stood for approx 10 days, it had a virtually dead battery.
I jumped it from another car and it fired up fine, I took it for a run, maybe 30 minutes, and when I got her back home, turned it off and it restarted OK.
After a couple of days, it was dead again.
Anyway, onto my question.
I obviously would like to get a decent charge back into the battery but here's the question, some posters say it's OK connect the battery charger in situ, others (including the manual) say only do it with the battery disconnected.

So what say you all ?

And a second question, if I do decide to charge it with the battery connected, can I connect the charger to the jump lead connection points as opposed to the battery itself, or does it have to go the battery ?

Thank in advance and great web site

Pete

It's safer to connect directly on to the battery in case there is a dodgy wire anywhere and the charger voltage rises as it tries to push the charge in.
Similarly a rapid charger will give out a high voltage and maybe damage the electrics if the battery is left connected.
Sounds as though your battery has had it though from what you say.
zeb

Hi mate,

I had the same problem with the flat battery, a 30 minute drive would not put any power in to the battery, it took my battery 8 hours to charge fully from flat using a charger. To re charge the battery i disconnected the battery terminals first, I would NOT recommend charging the battery while it is still connected to the car, there are TOO many electronic devices in the car that could be affected. Its really easy to disconnect the battery just a few simple steps to follow, you dont need to remove the battery from the car just disconnect the terminals before charging. The positive terminal on the battery has an explosive charge on it to cut the power in a crash so you need to follow the disconnection procedure to ensure the system is safe before disconnecting. Check this link out this link it is the procedure i followed to disconnect the battery, i know it works safely as i have just changed out my battery tonight following this guide again to disconnect my old battery. Once you have reconnected the battery start the engine then turn your steering wheel from full lock left to full lock right to reset the DSC and Air Suspension systems.

Hope this helps,
Matt

Guys, thanks to those of you that took the time to reply.

I have now resolved the issue and just in case anyone else finds themselves in the same dilemma, I can thoroughly reccomend the CTEK Multi XS battery charger.
As standard it comes with crocodile clips and also a hard wire option, but I opted for the cigarette lighter extra connection, so no messing with the battery directly. From totally flat, it charged enough to start after about 45 minutes and charged to full capacity after a day.
It self regulates and they say in the bumf you can just leave it plugged in if you dont use the car regularly.
Ive also invested in a solar trickle charger from Maplin, obviously this isnt enough to charge the battery from flat but it does keep the dreaded battery drain at bay a bit once its charged.

would it not be better to solve the problem rather than just mask it. it's gonna let you down when you are really relying on it

I'd say all 3 options have their uses.

It does sound as though your battery is fubared or you have quite a drain on the system somewhere. 10 days may be acceptable but it should restart after a long weekend.

Battery conditioners are really useful if you have power in a garage and don't want to use the car for a while - like winter for the sports car softies.

Solar powered ones won't charge a battery but will maintain charge in a good one for free. I had my Caterham battery on one all winter (see what I mean about sports car softies) and it has been fine whilst in use these last 3 months or so.

Just like to add,

Having seen a battery on charge explode and burn down my neighbours house I would NEVER charge a battery while its even in the car, let alone connected to it!!!

I have my battery virtually permanently on trickle charge whilst it is connected to the car and it has been that way for around 8 years now without any problems.
I use an auto cut off charger which only charges when the battery needs it.
I do not use my P38 that much now...only did around 2500 miles in 12 months. Use it for around 2 days a month

john,is the petrol that expensive in ireland now.2 days a month,that must be 40 quids worth then.

About €1.34/litre.
Filled it up just after we came back from the UK in April and there's still over 3/4 tank left in.
Went up to Wick this week by ferry and train and noticed that the petrol in the north of Scotland is over £1.22...that's serious money Dread to think what it would have cost if I had took the P38 over !!!
Round trip ticket from Dublin to Wick via. Belfast to Stranraer by ferry was €140 which is excellent. Only setback was not being able to have a fag or two on the trains :smokin::smokin: managed to get one though when I had to change. Didn't go without a drink though :beer2::beer2::beer2::beer2:

Irishrover said:

About €1.34/litre.
Filled it up just after we came back from the UK in April and there's still over 3/4 tank left in.
Went up to Wick this week by ferry and train and noticed that the petrol in the north of Scotland is over £1.22...that's serious money Dread to think what it would have cost if I had took the P38 over !!!
Round trip ticket from Dublin to Wick via. Belfast to Stranraer by ferry was €140 which is excellent. Only setback was not being able to have a fag or two on the trains :smokin::smokin: managed to get one though when I had to change. Didn't go without a drink though :beer2::beer2::beer2::beer2:

Click to expand...

Know what you mean about fags. Have you seen the latest stupidity in the statement that the smoking ban has saved the NHS 8.4 million because it has reduced heart attacks. How bloody silly is that. Unless people don't have them walking to the pub anymore cause they stay at home to drink and smoke in comfort. Bet if the crash rate on the M6 is down this year that will be because of smoking ban aswell. Bloody ridiculous but there are some who believe this ****. Wonder how much it spent on pneumonia treatment for people standing outside smoking in the cold and rain?

Well said that man !!!!

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