Member Since: 17 May 2009
Location: Bury
Posts: 2057
C-tek charging while away
Im sure this has been discussed before but cant find it.
Last time i was away for 2 weeks both of my batteries discharged enough to start setting the alarm off before i returned hence annoying the neighbours.
I have a top of the range c-tek charger thats a few years old now that I charge through my rear anderson plug and it charges both batteries at once firstly as a fast charge then switches itself to trickle i think after a day or so though the charger does stay quite warm.
So the question is it safe to just leave the charger on for the full period Im away or would you just disconnect both batteries until return? If so would this have any knock on effect on any of the ecu’s without power for so long?D4 HSE Lux MY16 Club Waitomo
D3 HSE MY06 missing her still…
2nd Jun 2018 12:23 pm
Dillon
Member Since: 05 Jan 2018
Location: Brighton
Posts: 103
I personally would not leave a vehicle on charge for two weeks unattended. Anything could happen!!
Two weeks to discharge two batteries to a low enough level to sound the alarm sounds to me that a drain needs investigating but I'm sure you know that.
Not much help I know.
Hope you get it sorted
Dillon
2nd Jun 2018 12:40 pm
tayaste
Member Since: 15 May 2013
Location: Chester
Posts: 7633
Mine is left on charge for most weeks of the year to no ill effect, in fact I’d say the battery’s seem to be healthier for it.
2nd Jun 2018 12:48 pm
pagoda
Member Since: 13 Aug 2009
Location: Not London Anymore (or the US for that matter)
Posts: 1923
Personally I would never leave a battery charger running on a vehicle that’s unattended ie away from the home (I use my ctek regularly on my cars in my garage at home). Risk of fire is too great.
Plenty of examples on the net of batteries and chargers causing fires.
If leaving the car unattended for a period of time just disconnect the battery.
If the neighbors ignore the alarm anyway what’s the big deal? Their also would have to reconnect and they’re unlikely to faff around.PAGODA
2nd Jun 2018 2:04 pm
Ted Newman
Member Since: 09 Oct 2010
Location: SE London
Posts: 840
My MGF is left for months with a CTEK connected and no problems so I would be happy to leave the Disco on the CTEK - remember whilst it (the CTEK) incorporates a charger it is actually a battery minder
LR Discovery 4 XS pulling an Airstream 532 Caravan also own (since new) a 1996 MGF
2nd Jun 2018 2:17 pm
pagoda
Member Since: 13 Aug 2009
Location: Not London Anymore (or the US for that matter)
Posts: 1923
The fact you're happy with it doesn't mean it's safe to do it. It's an unnecessary fire risk in an unattended location. But good luck to you.PAGODA
2nd Jun 2018 2:20 pm
M3DPO
Member Since: 22 Sep 2010
Location: Notts.
Posts: 8097
Any battery connected to any vehicle or machine is a source of ignition, if I leave any for a period of time I always disconnect at least one lead.
You've already stated you may have an electric fault It can when others can't,
It will when others won't,
It goes where others don't.
2nd Jun 2018 4:37 pm
Ceekay
Member Since: 17 May 2009
Location: Bury
Posts: 2057
Thanks for the input much appreciated, although I never stated I already have an electric fault M3DPO.
Although I know the big C-Tek has alot of thermal cut-outs and protection I was thinking disconnecting would be better when it would have very little if any monitoring whilst away.
Was just wondering if any of the many ECU’s etc would play up if left without power for too long.
Many thanks all D4 HSE Lux MY16 Club Waitomo
D3 HSE MY06 missing her still…
2nd Jun 2018 6:55 pm
Pete K
Member Since: 15 Jan 2016
Location: GL
Posts: 10363
I've left cteks on for Weeks. Months in some cases.
That is what try are designed to do!
It has internal fuses.
2nd Jun 2018 7:08 pm
dorianwoolger
Member Since: 11 May 2018
Location: Tangmere
Posts: 223
Thought the whole point of CTEK chargers is to maintain batteries as well as charge them.
My farther has a few of them running 24x7 for those cars that only come out in the summer.
My CTEK (MXS 5.0) hardly get warm at all once it has done it charging stage and moves onto monitoring.Dorian Woolger
Amateur Call: 2E0FSI
Member Since: 28 Mar 2018
Location: Street/Somerset
Posts: 176
If it’s the top of the line CTEK, then it has a battery temperature monitor on the positive clamp. And it’ll shut down if it senses anything untoward.
2nd Jun 2018 9:36 pm
M3DPO
Member Since: 22 Sep 2010
Location: Notts.
Posts: 8097
Re: C-tek charging while away
Ceekay wrote:
.............
Last time i was away for 2 weeks both of my batteries discharged enough to start setting the alarm off before i returned hence annoying the neighbours.
.......................
In my book that is an electrical fault something is useing power that shouldn’t be is a recipe for disaster.It can when others can't,
It will when others won't,
It goes where others don't.
3rd Jun 2018 12:32 pm
J@mes
Member Since: 10 Nov 2008
Location: Bomber County
Posts: 4547
pagoda wrote:
The fact you're happy with it doesn't mean it's safe to do it. It's an unnecessary fire risk in an unattended location. But good luck to you.
I'd rather the car caught fire and burnt the house down while I wasn't in said house to be honest
3rd Jun 2018 12:48 pm
M3DPO
Member Since: 22 Sep 2010
Location: Notts.
Posts: 8097
I hope your insurance company doesn't read this It can when others can't,
It will when others won't,
It goes where others don't.
3rd Jun 2018 12:52 pm
astonbuilder
Member Since: 29 Sep 2006
Location: MIDLANDS
Posts: 8052
I’ve left motorbikes on trickle charger for 3-4 months at a time (over winter) for as long as I can remember as good as ‘unattended’ as can be in detached garage, etc.
How long should I leave it between regular checks to qualify as ‘attended’ and ‘safe’.......
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