Battery Charger, Air Compressor

[daverichardson]

In a recent post I said I had bought these two pieces of kit from Lidl
Tried the compressor today on my Bike tyre and it worked a treat so far so good.
I was on a roll so I moved to the Battery Charger. It looks the bees knees but says the leads from the battery should be removed before connecting the charger.
If I did this what would be the effect on the car (2007 QP) upon reconnection of the battery?
Another forum member (apologies forget the name) suggested buying a gizmo from ebay that continually gave the status of the battery and can be routed into the cab. The charger can then be attached to this gizmo when required. This too looks a good solution.
The real problem though is when access to the battery is achieved the -ive terminal is relatively easy to get at.
The +ive terminal has a metal plate on it with nuts and bolts attached 3 plastic tabs similar to fuses one red, one blue and one brown this whole assembly is covered by a removable plastic cap and I have no idea what the purpose is. Th +ive terminal is not visible due to the metal plate assembly.
I would like to leave the battery connected and simply attach the charger now and then to a lip on the metal plate.
maybe with the addition of this ebay gizmo but that impacts on the +ive terminal apparatus
So what does this metal assembly do?
Can I not disconnect the battery?
BTW Battery is fine I am just preparing for winter
Thanks in advance
d

 

[CatmanV2]

Hi Dave

I think it was me that recommended the comfort lead. It's not really meant to be in the cab. I certainly wouldn't want one. It's not very elegant

To the charger. Is it *just* a charger or is it a float charger / maintainer as well. If the latter, I would have no compunction leaving the battery connected (in fact I do this every time I go on a trip, and it's exactly what happens with that lead. *Also* the CTEK 5.0 comes with permanent fixings for the battery and a flying lead so you specifically do not have to disconnect the car). However, I wonder if it's just the former, i.e. a high(ish) current delivery device which is why it's a) cheap and b) doesn't come with the other connectors, or the plug that allows you to use them..... If it is just a charger, I'd suggest cuation at best.

C

 

[Contigo]

It is fine to connect this charger with the battery still in situ in the car. I have done the same and others on various forums have also done the same. I'm not sure I fully understand your dilemma OP.

 

[daverichardson]

Hi Contigo
The dilemma is the +ive terminal
I cannot get access to the post because of this metal plate assembly
There is a metal lip on the plate that the charger will attach to, that may or may not work but if I do this and send 240Vto the plate assembly is damage likely to occur to whatever this assembly does?
d

 

[daverichardson]

Hi Catman V2
Thanks for your help
It is a maintenance charger so I take your point, but please see my reply to Contigo
d

 

[Contigo]

Does this look like your car battery?

 

[daverichardson]

Hi Contigo
Yes it looks the same
would you like to explain a bit?
d

 

[Contigo]

I found this on another thread on a different forum. It is the fitting of the CTEK 7002 and basically the connections made to the battery are via ring hole types ( yours like mine will have the crocodile clip type which as I understand it are too big to connect to your battery terminal, certainly the positive terminal) which you don't have on yours and from that black and yellow connector the charger connects via another yellow connector on the other end.

as per this kit.

Clearly the advantage to the method above is that you can attach that connector in place (as in the first picture) and leave it in situ permanently and when you need to top up the battery simple open the boot and plug the charger in via this convenient socket and away you go.

There will be a few options to "hack" the current charger or you could just take it back and get a refund and buy the CTEK 7002 as it is much more convenient for your battery type. The choice is yours really.

 

[CatmanV2]

Hi Contigo
The dilemma is the +ive terminal
I cannot get access to the post because of this metal plate assembly
There is a metal lip on the plate that the charger will attach to, that may or may not work but if I do this and send 240Vto the plate assembly is damage likely to occur to whatever this assembly does?
d

It's almost certainly simply a multiway connection. Whatever happens, you're not going to put 240v into it unless there's something very wrong with the charger. If that's the case all bets are off. In any event it sounds like you'll be fine.

C

 

[drewf]

The assembly on the +ve post on the QP battery is just to distribute power to various circuits. I don't remove it, and simply connect the charger to the bolts on top. Easy.

 

[daverichardson]

Hi Contigo / Catman
Thank you very much for your help
The kit suggested looks like that may be the best solution.
I assume the ring hole leads will connect to the -ive terminal clamp without too much problem
But not sure about the +ive terminal since I cannot see it due to the plate assembly.
Would it be ok to connect to one of the existing bolts from the plate?
It is too dark now to check but I will look again tomorrow and let you know.
I do not think this is the end of it yet but I will keep plugging away.
What would happen if the battery becomes disconnected?
I assume codes would be needed to reset everything

 

[daverichardson]

Drewf
Saw your post as I replied to others
Thanks for the note I will try it out tomorrow
d

 

[Contigo]

Connect it as drew says or order the Ctek and wire as per the diagram. I don't see why it's so hard Dave...

 

[daverichardson]

Drew / Contigo / Catman et al
Bright sunny day today so I tried the Lidl battery charger on my QP
I connected the crocodile clips to the -ive terminal (easy) and a bolt on the assembly of the +ive terminal (easy) and plugged charger in and switched on.
I am pleased to say all went well, the appropriate lights on the charger came on as and when I selected the different Modes and the circuit was fine.
I disconnected and packed away the charger for another day.
As I was jiggling the plastic cap on the +ive side my fingers touched a post at the rear of the assembly.
Closer inspection revealed this was the +ive terminal and it looks like I can get access to it direct in the future.
So a win all round.
Thank you all for your help (and Lidl for a charger and pump for £26.00 well worth it)
Sorry to have been a pain, but all is well that ends well
Cheers
d
and

 

[drewf]

Yep - there's a standard mount on a post at the rear of the top plate. You can remove the entire plate in one go if you need to change the battery - just needs the single bolt loosening. Don't forget to take the negative off first, as you WILL manage to touch something with a spanner on the live side

 

[Contigo]

Well done Dave!

 

[CatmanV2]

Dave, you weren't a pain. We're all in this together

C

 

[Charlysparrow]

I'm using a CTek system recommended from my mechanic (911 Turbo owner) and its permanently I plumbed in. No need to use the croc clips, just plug/ unplug and good to go.

Charles