Hi all,

Due to the lockdown I'm not able to drive the RR and my youngest loves playing in it during the day so the battery ran flat yesterday.

In the user manual it specifically states that you should not hook up a battery charger directly but take the battery out to charge. I did that sort of, just removed the ground cable and then put the charger on as it would not put any current into the car electronics either.

However, I do have an Optimate 3 for the bike and I was wondering if that would not create any issues if I put that on without taking the lead off. In other words leave the battery fully connected while trickle charging.

The battery is only a few months old so that is not an issue that that is failing (I think).

So what is your experience with trickle charging and the RR electronics????

Thanks in advance. MY 2010 5.0 SC Galway green and sand interior!!
Have the Faultmate MSV2 Extreme to be tinkering with the settings etc. !!

I see you are in NZ so this might be of interest, I have an old household solar panel, 225w, on the roof of my garage coupled to a MPPT controler. I have 4 vehicles and a camper which all have a quick connector fitted to the battery. I alternate the connection to keep all the batteries topped up inc my RR. Never had a problem with the Rangie or my Merc SL 2007 TDV8 VSE
2003 TD6 gone.
2002 P38a gone
1999 P38a gone
1997 p38a gone
1993 VSE gone
1992 VSE gone
1966 Series 2a with V8 conversion gone

Hi. Lots of threads on here about chargers/conditioners. Ctek and Optimate are the most popular with a myriad of option to connect them up e.g. through tow electics, direct to battery etc.
Best advice I can give is to use the "Search" button at top of screen and type in a keyword like "ctek" or "charger" and you'll see lots of threads come up
I use a Ctek MXS10 through the 13pin electric socket using an adaptor from the site shop once a week:
https://www.disco3.co.uk/shop/tow-electric...c-p45.html 2011 4.4 TDV8 Vogue SE Buckingham Blue with Ivory and clear glass = "Rory"
New Defender D300 90 on order so "Rory" will be going to a new home....!
1974 Series 3 Lightweight = "Millie"
My preferred specialist: www.glenrands.co.uk
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Disco and Sport forums also have lots of threads
e.g. https://www.disco4.com/forum/battery-charging-d4-172730.html 2011 4.4 TDV8 Vogue SE Buckingham Blue with Ivory and clear glass = "Rory"
New Defender D300 90 on order so "Rory" will be going to a new home....!
1974 Series 3 Lightweight = "Millie"
My preferred specialist: www.glenrands.co.uk
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I believe they suggest taking the battery out if it’s a normal flooded lead acid battery because the off gas and acid vapor plus hydrogen gas can be a problem for the car body and of course risk of explosion, if you have a AGM battery this isn’t a problem.

Also boost chargers can be problematic so as long as it’s not a FLA battery and the charger is a trickle charger/maintainer with a low output <15 amps you should be fine.

If it’s a FLA battery make sure the vent tube is fitted and clear of blockage and directed at the ground and not onto the chassis etc.

Never taken a battery off a car to charge it in my life, nor disconnected the negative lead to do it. Just connect to the positive terminal of the battery or jump post if you have one and then to a body earth or jump post.

I agree most don’t have problems, same for welding on a car and not disconnecting the ECU/battery/alternator etc, some times people are unlucky and it’s can get expensive fast.... I am qualified but also never take the battery out or disconnect unless totally flat but I do every time for welding, calculated risks.

Another battery-in charger here. Far too much faff otherwise. Just plug charger into cig lighter in the boot and let it do it's thing. 09 RR Westminster 3.6TDV8 - Stornoway Grey / Black interior - now gone (sad face)
Nissan X Trail 1.6TDCi Tekna
Fiat 500 1.2

I have my C-Tek charger hard wired, terminating in a plug that I tuck under the front grill, so any time I want to charge, I just connect up and leave it in place. Got - 2017 SDV8 Autobiography in Loire Blue
Had- 2008 TDV8 Vogue SE in Java black
Had - 2007 S/C in Stornoway Grey

I often put mine on a charger (straight to battery) overnight to give the battery a proper charge / saturation.. you wont have any issues if your using a decent charger

For you guys in the uk these i can garauntee are some of if not the best combined charger/float charger's you can buy... I have lots of experiance in the marine industry with this situation and beleive me this product is ten times better than the c tek

https://www.jpcdirect.com/product-category...-chargers/



Dave 2010 3.6TDV8 Autobiography
Bas remap, Egr deleted (blanked & via remap) , Cold air intake, Turbo back exhaust, Provent 200 catch can, Banks idash gauge, 275/55/R20

GAP Diagnostics

Past - 02 & 03 TD6 And an 1984 Classic

I now have the tow electrics charger adapter from the shop, but prior to that I had a Ctek connector attached to the rear fuse board main cable and a bolt for the rear bumper.

I never disconnect the battery to charge it. Ron B. VK2OTC
2004 L322 V8 Auto
2007 Yamaha XJR1300
Previous: 1983, 1986 RRC; 1995, 1996 P38A; 1995 Disco1; 1984 V8 County 110; Series IIA

Interesting thread, I take it everyone's battery does fully charge when still connected?

I'll add my experience:

Recently I was working on the RR and had the radio on (all day). now from previous experience I know the draw can be upto 1.5 amps, depending on open doors etc. but without the radio on so I connected my 4 amp charger at the start of the day to be safe.

I didn't measure the current but at the end of the day it wouldn't start!

I'd be interested to hear if with a charger connected and your kids playing in it, if it starts at the end of the day.

All this talk of chargers... Imhave just ordered a 100w solar panel and solar charge controller and a CTEK pro 25S to replace my Porsche 5 amp CTEK I had from years ago. Also purchased the comfort indicator fly lead and a 2.5m extension.

With a new batter, new alternator and belt and pulleys and all this chargers I should be set until I get voted in and Labor comes back in power 😇

Decided on the on the CTEK pro 25S as it will take the charge time for a fully flat ff battery of over 72hrs on a 5 amp unit down to ~4hrs if needed.

They are talking about relaxing some of the lockdown restrictions after Easter here so the ff may get a few more runs but at least I am set for the future.

Anyone who has an iid can use it to check the state of charge and battery voltage.
A fully charged AGM battery should read over 82% and 14.6v. (With the charger disconnected and engine at tick over)
Mike. G reg 2.5VM Vogue Portofino red 1991- 1999
V reg 2.5td P38 Rioja red 1999- 2006
53 reg td6 Vogue Oslo blue 2006- 2015
11 reg 4.4 TdV8 Vogue SE. Baltic blue 2015- date.
https://www.fullfatrr.com/forum/topic56162...tty+affair