Pete-B Posted February 13, 2012 Share Posted February 13, 2012 When I got my powervamp battery I also bought their isolater and was told by them that they should always be fitted to the +terminal, don't know why but I followed their instrutions. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SUPERLIGHT91 Posted February 14, 2012 Share Posted February 14, 2012 Thats right - I got the same advice when fitting a couple of Varta motorcycle cells at the end of last year, they suggested isolating the +ve for all applications. Therefore my new policy is, if its got an alarm and/or ECU (which lets face it most things to these days, even my Fiat Panda run-about is on canbus loom wiring with an ECU & immobiliser you can't do anything with) - I'll isolate the +'ve in future. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tangomikeromeo Posted February 15, 2012 Share Posted February 15, 2012 Can I return to the numpty end of the conversation please? Having noticed starting was getting progressively more reluctant the longer the gap between use (could be cold starting temperatures though) I bought a charger that once the battery is charged will switch to a maintenance mode. The owners manual and charger instructions all recommend removing the battery from the car to charge - which I did last night - but for ongoing battery maintenance that sounds a faff and makes getting in and driving off more difficult as one would have to install the battery again. If you trickle charge what do you do? - apply clamps, turn on, return to beer/TV/wife/mistress? - disconnect battery terminals, apply clamps, etc (both battery terminals?) - or remove the battery and charge like the manual says to? Thanks in advance.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Member Jonathan Kay Posted February 15, 2012 Member Share Posted February 15, 2012 Fit a cigar lighter socket in front of the passenger. Car unused: connect to charger or inspection light as appropriate. Car in use: connect satnav, mobile 'phone etc. Jonathan Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SUPERLIGHT91 Posted February 15, 2012 Share Posted February 15, 2012 That is where fitting a battery master switch (inline to the +ve terminal) comes in handy, Then either fit a charging jack (such as the separtely fused flylead that comes with an optimate charger), or a 12v cigar lighter socket under dash, as suggested above. Then you can quickly and easily isolate the battery and stick the car on charge, an you know that the if parked-up long term you can isolate and there is no drain on the battery from alarms/immobilisers (that can still be activated before isolating for additional security) either. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Roger Ford Posted February 15, 2012 Share Posted February 15, 2012 makes sense but remember this wouldn't be acceptable for any form of motorsport, since the master switch needs to isolate everything, including the accessory socket. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tangomikeromeo Posted February 15, 2012 Share Posted February 15, 2012 Thanks I will put charging via a cigarette lighter point on the upgrade list - any suggestions for best practice in the interim? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SUPERLIGHT91 Posted February 15, 2012 Share Posted February 15, 2012 In the interim - disconnect +'ve terminal, charge battery in the car with crocodile clips on the charger (better safe than sorry, in-case of electrical surge, spike, lightning strike, ground earth leakage, malfunctioning charger, or goodness knows what else might come from a charger and mess-up your car's ECU). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
St Eve Posted February 15, 2012 Share Posted February 15, 2012 TMR - you have mail. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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