Trickle Charger

[Exige_Tom]

Hello guys, 

Just bought my first Lotus, an Exige S Club racer! Pick it up in 2 weeks ... I cannot wait!

So I need to invest in a trickle charger. Can anyone recommend a particular one for the V6 Exige? 

Thanks in advance 

Tom

[alias23]

CTEK if a normal battery if Lithium then you will need something different

[Exige_Tom]

12 minutes ago, alias23 said:

CTEK if a normal battery if Lithium then you will need something different

Cheers!

How does this one look? 

CTEK XS 0.8 Automatic Battery Maintainer (For long-term maintainence of motorcycle and other smaller vehicle batteries) 12V, 0.8 Amp - UK Plug https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B004RADNCQ/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_ogPLCbZR0J6KA

 

[vd9]

MXS 5.0 is frequently the choice. Unless you've got an Exige with a motorcycle engine. 

[Arun_D]

4 years with an Optimate here, no issues.

[RoflOnMyWaffle]

Can these be used outside? Don't have a garage, so I'd not entirely sure they'd be happy exposed to the elements 😕 

Am I right in thinking it does NOT go in the boot, but rather the front access panel? 

[vd9]

@RoflOnMyWaffle, it does go into the access panel. Not sure if the box is weather-proof, but connectors are and you can buy an extension cable to make sure it reaches the car.

Apparently you can also use cigarette lighter socket inside - https://www.thelotusforums.com/forums/topic/71266-trickle-charging-the-exige-v6/

 

[RoflOnMyWaffle]

2 minutes ago, vd9 said:

@RoflOnMyWaffle, it does go into the access panel. Not sure if the box is weather-proof, but connectors are and you can buy an extension cable to make sure it reaches the car.

Apparently you can also use cigarette lighter socket inside - https://www.thelotusforums.com/forums/topic/71266-trickle-charging-the-exige-v6/

 

I saw that! I would prefer the front, its neater and less likely to be tripped over. 

I suppose some googling is in order haha

[Escape]

The Ctek 0.8 will do, but it's only a trickle charger. The MXS 5.0 is a proper charger, so will also help you out if a battery does go flat. They even have a recondition mode to recover a depleted battery, which has helped me out on numerous occasions.

The Ctek is weatherproof as well, so van be used outside without worries. My old one even kept working after I drove over it with a Range Rover! It wasn't waterproof after that though...

Filip

[LotusPilot]

On 25/03/2019 at 13:45, RoflOnMyWaffle said:

Can these be used outside? Don't have a garage, so I'd not entirely sure they'd be happy exposed to the elements 😕 

Am I right in thinking it does NOT go in the boot, but rather the front access panel? 

If you install the “comfort connector” directly to the battery terminals of the battery, you can put the CTEK in the weather-proof boot - and simply run a mains extension cable into the boot.  There is adequate give/clearance in the boot seal - and gap between the tailgate and clamshell - to accommodate the cable.  Doing this allows you to connect the charger when the car is outside.

Weatherproof and simple 🙂

 

[MrP_]

On 07/04/2019 at 23:42, LotusPilot said:

If you install the “comfort connector” directly to the battery terminals of the battery, you can put the CTEK in the weather-proof boot - and simply run a mains extension cable into the boot.  There is adequate give/clearance in the boot seal - and gap between the tailgate and clamshell - to accommodate the cable.  Doing this allows you to connect the charger when the car is outside.

Weatherproof and simple 🙂

 

Exactly, mine is just connected this way and the connector goes through the handgrip on the battery cover. I have a DC side extension cable, but you could use a 240v cable I suppose and just have the lead in the car. 

Much easier than faffing about with cigarette lighters and removing access panels. Reverse into garage, pop boot, one click connector, then close boot