Trickle chargers and Battery Conditioners

[Tony Gamble]

Hi folks

I have just been reading an article on "battery conditioners" which states that mobile phone chargers seem to perform this function quite satisfactorily, keeping an out-of-use battery "topped up" over the winter months without much risk of over charging. All you need to do is to cut off the jack plug and attach crocodile clips to the lead and you're away !
[ You would need to check which wire is positive and which is negative ! ]

Any electrical experts out there who could comment on this. It might be a useful , and cheap solution !

Tony G

[Trevor Wilkinson]

I read the same article and decided to give it a go, I checked when first connected and it was charging at about 250ma. I left it charging as I thought ,overnight but when I checked the following morning the charger had given up the ghost.Coincidence, or not

[Toby]

Don't know about this but I use a purpose made conditioner as this stops charging when done, seems it would be better than one that keeps trickling. Mind you, wasn't a problem for Trevor as the mobile charger seems to have stopped on its own, too!