Battery Charger – Van

Can someone explain to me what I need from a basic, very occasional use battery charger for a 2L diesel van?

Or just link to one at a decent price.

It’ll only get used once or twice a year. Although I suspect the next time it gets used will be more appreciated than most.

There’s a couple of different types. The £20 Halfords special will charge a battery just fine but it’ll take a while. At least overnight and probably longer. A start and charge has a lot more oomph so you can get the car started pretty much straight away. Handy if you need to go somewhere and find your battery flat. More expensive but really useful when you need it. If it’s very occasional use just get the cheaper one.

Oh, I’ve just realised you can get those jumper starters with USB/12v outlets.

I think that’s swung it tbh.

Or just, you know, use the bloody van!

You might very well not have enough CCA from one of those batteries to start a van. My VW won’t .. admittedly its a prehistoric 2.4L diesel.

Got an intelligent charger from Lidl couple of weeks back for £15, its as good as any I’ve had. It’s a better bet than a jump battery.

Solar trickle charger might also be a better option.

But in short, what Scotsroutes said 😀 drive it every couple of weeks to get the shopping or something .. the engine and tyres and brakes will appreciate it too.

Yes, that’s the obvious choice is to use it.

Quite a number of occasions through the year (even with epidemics) where it can be left for a few weeks.

Either through work of holidays. I don’t drive to work either which would keep it running well.

I suspect a charger/starter combo is going to happen.

I left a solar panel on my dash for 6 weeks in June/July and my van started just fine in my return.

I also have one of those big starter packs. I’ve never needed it for starting but it’s great for keeping in the van for lighting and charging purposes. It just says to take it out and charge it every 3 months.

One of those starter packs will start a completely dead 2.5l Transit – did it two weekends ago – but just like any other battery they degrade over time whereas a decent bench charger will last a lifetime.

Our new van has a sticker under the bonnet (although nowhere near the battery, which is under the floor) saying not to charge in-situ. I don’t know how big a pinch of salt to take with that.

How do we rate those Lithium jump starter packs?

They look a lot more compact than the lead acid type and likely to hold a charge better? It would need to handle a 2.0L diesel. Loads on Amazon but who knows what they’re like 😉