CRM wrote:now while your under there, attach a piggy back lead for a optimate charger to make charging a doddle.

^^^ +1

lizard821000 wrote:

CRM wrote:now while your under there, attach a piggy back lead for a optimate charger to make charging a doddle.

^^^ +1

Service manual and microfiches etc can all be downloded off the net,, many guides on here in sticky threds and in document library on main page, includnig carb overhaul setup. etc.

Shouldn't be a lot you need to ask if you read all them :-)

CRM wrote:now while your under there, attach a piggy back lead for a optimate charger to make charging a doddle.

Done :0) +1

Richie1743 wrote:

CRM wrote:now while your under there, attach a piggy back lead for a optimate charger to make charging a doddle.

Done :0) +1

I was thinking of doing this as well, but I don't have an Optimate, I've got a cheapo Lidl battery charger. It has crocodile clip connectors, so is there a safe way of providing a piggy back extension? I'm worried about leaving a positive lead that could earth through contact with the frame...

Edit: I think I've answered my own question.

The plan is to "permanently" wire in a female cigarette lighter socket (fused - something like this http://tinyurl.com/7qme8p6), then cut the end off any old cigarette lighter accessory I have lying around and attach the crocodile clips to the end of those wires, and plug it in when I want to charge. Should work, no? Or will I electrocute myself?

missis sumner wrote:Or will I electrocute myself?

You will have to do something pretty amazing to electrocute your self with 12v.

dogmatic69 wrote:

missis sumner wrote:Or will I electrocute myself?

You will have to do something pretty amazing to electrocute your self with 12v.

Ok, then, will I fry my electrics?

if you connected things the wrong way round bad things might happen. some chargers have reverse connection protection though.

Also you want to make sure the wires going from the charger to the battery are thick enough, they should be as thick or thicker than the ones attached to the charger

dogmatic69 wrote:if you connected things the wrong way round bad things might happen. some chargers have reverse connection protection though.

I'm glad you said that. I'll have to make sure I get the positive and negative connections right. Thanks.

I've just been to moider the guys in the car accessory shop, next door. I got this little lot for £6. I'm sure I have an inline fuse holder somewhere, as well...

dont see why you would need a fuse for charging. The charger should take care of that. A fuse is for stopping spikes in the current, and if your charger is putting spikes though it should be in the bin