Talk Morgan Forums Morgan Sports Cars Classic Morgans (pre-CX) Charging via lighter socket

Hi,

Is it safe to charge a roadster via the lighter socket, and not take out the ECU or anything else in the process?

It's a 2010 model btw.

Cheers,

Nigel

No - Don't do it!! Wire up a socket direct to the battery with an inline fuse -- you can buy these in Halfrauds or the like. All that is needed is a small hole in the wooden bulkhead to get the wires through to the battery.

The lighter socket in the glovebox is on a fuse with the lights and something else I can't remember and this WILL blow on a charger(I did it on my 2009 Plus4 before I copped on!!) which then leaves you without lights and no charging either!!

Make sure you use a charger which handles the glass mat batteries

Cheers!

A battery conditioner would be OK, they only trickle charge

Thanks for the tip re the fuses Robbie.

I was just planning on hooking it up to an optimate/accumate 12v trickle charger to stop the battery going flat whilst waiting for summer to arrive

Can't see a problem with that, used similar on my BM with no problem

An optimate will be just fine -- I use one on mine. The advantage of a separate socket is that when you are on the move it can power your Sat Nav Ipod or whatever!!

I plug my car in when it goes into the garage even if only overnight

Cheers!

A small solar panel can be plugged into the lighter to keep tghe battery topped-up provided, of course, that the lighter is "hot" when the key is off.

I found one of these to be good, the plug has a fuse

http://www.dealextreme.com/p/1-to-2-car-cigarette-lighter-power-port-splitter-dc-12-24v-37077

I've been using my CTEK Trickle charger (using the cable provided) via the Glove Box lighter socket constantly for 2 years without any problems on this and over a year on the previous 4/4

Ditto, my 2005 4/4 is almost constantly on charge via the lighter socket, using a CTEK 3600. Brilliant, highly recommended, and never any problem with fuses.

Nigel