Battery charging via the cigarette lighter?

[srichards]

As the RS seems to have permanent live on the accessory sockets (or at least the rear one is) is it ok to use a CTEK charger with the cigarette lighter adapter they make to keep the battery topped up? I've been using the normal battery clips and faffing in the boot up until now. Is it safer to have it connected across the battery than have it using the lighter socket? How smart/safe are the ctek chargers?

I'm hoping to use the cigarette lighter lead, the comfort extender and try and make a nice neat way out of the boot rather than using an open window as it means turning on the car to open the window and that is surprisingly irritating. I have the charger hanging out of the rear window balanced on it at the minute as the lead isn't long enough to do it any other way. I was thinking of using the ski hatch but then discovered it's got some bag thing for actual skies. That's the first time I've opened it and I'm never opening it again as it's like trying to stuff toothpaste back in the tube to get it back in after you've unfurled it.

Are they ok to leave plugged in for ages or is it better to leave them plugged in but only switch them on say for one day a week at a time? I don't use the car much this time of year so I'd rather the battery was kept ok on a charger. I normally have them on for no more than a few weeks at time rather than months at a time.

[Mɐʇʇ]

I've got a number of batteries that I use infrequently on charge. Arguably they might not last "quite" as long as if they're cycled in normal use, but I can 100% confirm they last a damn site longer on trickle charge than they did when I forgot and let them go completely flat!

[Shoppinit]

The CTEK are the best chargers. I leave my cars on them for months at a time. Have no fear.

I have mine wired directly to the battery in my 6 with the lead dangling out of the rear door.

If you're going to get a ctek i recommend the ones that can revive sulfated batteries.

MXS5.0 with "recond" function for example.

[srichards]

I have a CTEK one with that. It's got thermal management as well. It's already rescued the Bosch battery that was on the car

[alexjtaylor82]

My SQ7 is parked for months on end when out of the country with a CTEK MXS5 connected permanently. Works brilliantly!


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