battery charger/conditioner

http://www.lidl.co.uk/en/our-offers-2491.htm?action=showDetail&id=20000&ar=3 Saw this in the for sale forum. Lidl have a battery charger/conditioner for sale. Went and got mine yesterday before they sell out, £13.95. Thought it would be better placed on the 996 forum for all to see.

Your welcome ![ ] It was me that gave the heads up in the For Sale section to this great value product ....I have a few spare can always sell them on at any time [ ]

It's a great charger, ive used mine for over 8 years and it has run faultlessly even after I ran over it with the car

Seems to have had a redesign, and looks a bit fancier than mine. I like the digital voltmeter. Time for an upgrade, perhaps.

Yes, thanks for the find Kitchens. Ive not used one yet so i thought i would just ask how best to use it. Obviously, i want to disconnect as little as possible at the battery end. Is it right that i connect the positive end of the charger to the positive end at the battery whilst still connected to the car, but the negative is connected to the batteries negative terminal when not connected to the car? I was hoping that the battery didnt need to be disturbed. Any help would be appreciated, Thanks

I have both types on my cars the C-Tek is hard wired from the battery to a male connecter and on the charger side is female connecter ..then just plug in to mains select mode job done .. With the Lidl one just clip the crock clips to the terminals +to+ -to- Then plug into the mains switch on and select mode easy. I think you would be able to adapt the lead like the C-Tek one but if you cut the leads the warranty will be void but for £14 who cares .I have had the Lidl one for years no issues. Brian PS no need to disconnect battery even when laid up for months

Let us know when another lot are due in! I went in on Thursday midday and there were none left.

So, just to confirm, if i just connect the charger/conditioner directly to the battery terminals whilst all still being connected to the car, everything will be ok. No issues will arise with the alarm or other electrics. If so, this is brilliant. Sorry for being so thick but electrics are not my strong point!!!

Devans, yes just connect as instructed above and everything will be fine. Had mine connected since I got it last Thursday, no issues. Only problem is closing the front bonnet with the mains lead running out as my 996 is outside at the moment, down by the headlight in the corner seems to be ok though. Just make sure if you're using the crocadile clips that the positive doen't have any chance of touching the bonnet or any part of the body.

Thanks Jon. I have mine garaged so i suppose i just leave the bonnet open. However, just thought, if i'm away for the weekend can the unit be left on with the alarm being set? Thanks

I leave mine locked with the charger connected without a problem. Your best bet is to rig up a permanent connection the the battery with a couple of eyelet connectors, and put a plug and socket (and fuse) in the line so you can attach the charger when you need it. I run the cable out the back of the bonnet, so I can close it before locking the car. If you are going to lock it with the bonnet open, you should be able to close the latch with a screwdriver, so the alarm thinks the bonnet is closed.

Pity they don't have "live" cigarette lighter sockets like the 997, eh? Saves a lot of faffing under the bonnet.[ ]

Wow, many thanks for all the comments. I always worry when connecting any sort of electrics. Interestingly enough, ive just read the instruction manual again which states that the plug socket must have a 16 amp fuse and equally be connected via an rcd. So i suppose a 16 amp fused switch will need to be connected to a 30amp ring main. Seems like buying the unit was one thing but still cant use until ive done some electrical work. Cost of a fused switch, an RCD etc etc. Still, will be worth it when its done. Many thanks to all and heres to never having a flat battery

I just plug mine into a 13A socket, as do most people - the ring main is protected by the consumer unit in the house. Here is what I meant about the permanent plug and socket connection to the battery. I used the Ctek connectors, and have the same arrangement on my 3.2, so I can use either charger on either car.

Thanks Richard, your diagram is most helpful. What size fuse have you used? thanks

It is a 5A fuse. The charger puts out a maximum of about 3.5A, so I thought 5A should be enough, and it has been fine so far. I got the connectors I needed by buying a Ctek 'comfort' extension lead. Nearly as expensive as the Lidl charger!

Thanks Richard. Will look for something similar as a permanent attachment would be much simpler.