Re: Trickle charge?

Dave Plowman wrote:
> Lin Chung wrote:
> > Dave Plowman wrote:
> > > This [Draper] is designed to be connected to another battery to
> > > retain 'memory' while changing the main one so not much use for
> > > the task in hand. This [Gunson] is a mains version of the above,
> > > and may not be rated for long term connection. There are several
> > > mains powered battery conditioners on the market designed for
> > > just this purpose - keeping a battery fresh during a long lay up.
> > > They are rather expensive for what they are, but at least shouldn't
> > > be a fire hazard.
> > The focus of this project is the maintenance of the integrity of the two
> > security functions, namely immobilization and alarm, while the owner
> > has to leave the car untended for 3 months, as I read it.
> > It is not primarily for keeping the car battery in tip top condition.
> Well, for three months I'd say the two are the same - and it's hardly
> worth buying a form of trickle charger which doesn't do both.
> Yes - it says it can if you read the PDF - but not in the short
> description. However, since you'd got the Draper wrong I didn't at first
> read it.
> Well, there's not much point in keeping the car's memories alive while
> you're away if on return and trying to start the car the battery won't -
> and you lose the memories. ;-)
> I've often wondered why - there's so little to them. Despite the glowing
> technobabble descriptions.



OK, I am glad you have come round to my view.

The possible reason of why these memory savers are not in wider use and
hence in the general public consciousness is that their usage is not
critical or essential; the lost data can be recollected in a 15 min. drive.
People are also resistant to change, abhorrent of new technology.

The Draper unit functions exactly the same as the Gunson save using a
different power source: batteries are less dependable than mains electric
supply, since the battery used in the Draper is understandably invariably a
spare old one.

The car battery should always be fully charged before it is left to the
topping up from the Memory Saver. It is only prudent to do so at any rate
before one leaves for 3 months. At the end of this period, the car battery
will *not* be in a discharged state: that is the whole idea of the trickle
charge.

By the way, the Gunson unit has no more or less fire risk, in short term or
long (years), than wiring up the mains to a proximity triggered alarm out in
the
garden shed.

Give it a bash, I would say. :)

--
Lin Chung
[Replace "the Water Margin" with "ntlworld" for e-mail].




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