2001 Toyota RAV4 Battery charging

Tiny
ALJANJONES
  • MEMBER
  • 2001 TOYOTA RAV4
  • 2.0L
  • 4 CYL
  • 4WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 75,000 MILES
Last winter I spent five months abroad and left my car on a 'maintenance' charger. No problem. When I mentioned this to a mechanic he said it was unwise to leave anything connected to the mains unattended for so long and that I should buy a proper charger and let the battery run down. Does he have a point? I'm going away again this winter.
Sunday, August 17th, 2014 AT 10:21 AM

4 Replies

Tiny
FREEMBA
  • MECHANIC
  • 1,152 POSTS
He has a point. Most chargers, even trickle chargers (charging @2A), will overcharge a battery if left connected for that long. This overcharging will cause the battery to fail prematurely. There may be a charger out there that is made for that sort of long-term charging. However, simply letting the battery run down over that period of time is no better.
What type of battery charger are you using (include Brand and model number, please).
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Sunday, August 17th, 2014 AT 11:01 AM
Tiny
ALJANJONES
  • MEMBER
  • 3 POSTS
Thanks for your prompt reply. I'm using a Halfords Maintenance Charger, model no 188946-BFJ012-230. Input230-240VAC - 50Hz 20W Output 12VDC 750mA

It worked perfectly last year. The house is fitted with a modern consumer unit which would switch off the electrical supply I there was a problem.
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Sunday, August 17th, 2014 AT 11:48 AM
Tiny
ALJANJONES
  • MEMBER
  • 3 POSTS
Thanks for your prompt reply. I'm using a Halfords Maintenance Charger, model no 188946-BFJ012-230. Input230-240VAC - 50Hz 20W Output 12VDC 750mA

It worked perfectly last year. The house is fitted with a modern consumer unit which would switch off the electrical supply I there was a problem.
AD

Reply

Aljanjones
Aug 17, 2014.
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Sunday, August 17th, 2014 AT 11:50 AM
Tiny
FREEMBA
  • MECHANIC
  • 1,152 POSTS
This maintenance charger if fine to use as you have been. However, it is recommended that you disconnect the battery from the vehicle during the extended charge time.
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Sunday, August 17th, 2014 AT 4:43 PM

Please login or register to post a reply.

Related Battery Charge Content

How to Charge a Car Battery
VIDEO
How to Charge a Car Battery
Instructional repair video
Battery Charging
GUIDE
Battery Charging
A battery can go dead for a few reasons, one of the most common causes is the battery simply has gone bad which is easy to load test without equipment, replacement may be is...
VIEW MORE