Trickle charging

[IainP]

I have a 6.1 Cali Ocean, purchased last year in the UK. Being a newbie I didn't think about charging the battery when left unused in the garage over the winter...I have managed to jump start it and get everything charged back up again, but was wondering about keeping it charged for the future. Can I just plug in the external power supply - I heard that this might charge both batteries? And can I leave it plugged in all the time or will this damage the batteries? Thanks in advance!

 

[barney108vwcali]

I have a 6.1 Cali Ocean, purchased last year in the UK. Being a newbie I didn't think about charging the battery when left unused in the garage over the winter...I have managed to jump start it and get everything charged back up again, but was wondering about keeping it charged for the future. Can I just plug in the external power supply - I heard that this might charge both batteries? And can I leave it plugged in all the time or will this damage the batteries? Thanks in advance!

Handbook does say if not using the vehicle regularly then plug in the mains hook up once a month for 24 hours to keep leisure batteries topped up. The charging system does then charge the vehicle battery (under the bonnet) once the leaiure batteries are chartered up.

 

[Luke Sharp]

Not thought about charging the Cali yet through the winter, but do use it regularly. But I do use a trickle charger on a couple of motorbikes that don’t get run through the winter months. And this keeps the batteries in tip top condition.

But it must be a trickle charger. This will assess what the battery needs, deliver it, and then stop until needed again. So it is quite safe to leave on all the time.

 

[Ch1pbutty]

I’m pretty sure that the VW factory charger is a smart charger? so will not overcharge the battery. In which case just leave it hooked up on the driveway when not used for long periods, no need to disconnect after 24hrs.

 

[JohnCalifornia]

Mines a 2019 T6 and when you plug into the hook up socket on the van it charges the leisure batteries and the main stater battery. I’m sure the T6.1 is the same

 

[dspuk]

I have a 6.1 Cali Ocean, purchased last year in the UK. Being a newbie I didn't think about charging the battery when left unused in the garage over the winter...I have managed to jump start it and get everything charged back up again, but was wondering about keeping it charged for the future. Can I just plug in the external power supply - I heard that this might charge both batteries? And can I leave it plugged in all the time or will this damage the batteries? Thanks in advance!