I was just wondering if anyone knew the electric system in Magna's/Verada's (3rd gen's) in regards to charging a battery via charger while still conected to the car?
Reason is that i rarely drive the wagon anymore and i just want to keep the battery charged at all times but dont want to disconnect the leads as i may need to jump in it at any time.

I know Charging a battery while still conected use to kill alternators in older cars but i have heard that new cars have safe guards in place to stop any damage being done to electric's or alternators.

Can anyone confirm this for me?

Thanks.

how often will u be driving it? u may not need to do anything.....

Well at the moment, sometimes only once every month or two.

Dad's always charged batteries with them connected and gets huge lifespans, leave it hooked up.

Ive charged the battery on the KE once or twice while its connected without any dramas...

Go for it dude....

I was just wondering if anyone knew the electric system in Magna's/Verada's (3rd gen's) in regards to charging a battery via charger while still conected to the car?
Reason is that i rarely drive the wagon anymore and i just want to keep the battery charged at all times but dont want to disconnect the leads as i may need to jump in it at any time.

I know Charging a battery while still conected use to kill alternators in older cars but i have heard that new cars have safe guards in place to stop any damage being done to electric's or alternators.

Can anyone confirm this for me?

Thanks.
Nothing "special" that I can see in the Mitsubushi circuitry. :doubt:

Trickle charging should be ok, but I'll disconnect the battery before charging anything more than 5A.


3rd gens have a trickle drain from the alarm that will drain the battery flat in a few mths methink.

Why don't you get one of those 12V float chargers that you install onto the side of the battery permanently? These plug into the mains but hang off the battery terminals; just unplug the 240V, coil up the lead under your bonnet and your car can be driven away. Works well for everyone I know who's got one.

I've got the solar panel type charger too, works good if you're parked under sun or fluorescent lighting.

For our cars which get used rarely, I disconnect the battery via a terminal switch (Haighs?) - undo the green knob and the connection is off.

Thanks Magnette. Your've always got the answers in regards to anything electrical. Was about to PM you and ask you but you beat me too it.

I'm not sure how many Amp the battery charger is. Will have a look.

Why dont you recommend anything more powerful?

Thanks for yur replies guys.

Charging the battery while its still connected aint a problem.. Also saves having to set eveything after you reconnect it..:)

Alternator's voltage regulator turns off the charge when your battery is full.
In a leadacid that's usually like when its V is at 13.8-14.0V.

In the old early days of solid state electronics, you could do damage to your
the voltage regulator if you reverse-biased it (that's my terminology)
when you had higher voltage at the battery side compared to alternator.

A damaged v-reg would either not charge, or not turn off leading to
"boiling" your battery dry by overcharging... pretty dangerous gases!



Thanks Magnette. Your've always got the answers in regards to anything electrical.
s'right.
Radio control enthusiast + Grew up with a garage full of British Lucas electrics
so if its anything involving 12V, me or my dad have probably bought one already. :D
Dad's a golf nut too so he also charges his fleet of Powakaddy everyday.



I'm not sure how many Amp the battery charger is. Will have a look.
Anything compact bought from K-Mart etc is probably only 4-5A "peak" (=3A RMS).

The beefier chargers are usually bigger... got a 8A unit size of 2 wine bottles,
the 10A RMS one is like a decent toolbox size and very heavy.
Can find even beefier models for trade use - truck use?

High current chargers are good for reviving a dead battery fast, but they should not
be left on the battery whilst unattended... they can boil them dry = dangerous.
Definitely should not be left 'overnight', and never in a closed garage.

I charge my batteries on the balcony (openair).