I have a quality trickle charger (ctek) which I plan to keep connected to maintain battery health. I believe it does a very gentle maintenance cycle.

Is it safe to keep it connected with the boot closed. I usually connect via the engine bay.

It's just the nuisance factor of the boot always open.

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68 Morris Cooper S Mk1 (*ex 78 1275 LS 4th last built, 70 Morris 1500 OHC & 70 MiniMatic)

The manual online says the battery needs "proper ventilation" during charging. I guess if it was under the bonnet like a normal car that would be enough ventilation, but being stuck in a closed boot might be dangerous, as explosive gases could be emitted..
http://www.ctek.com/Archive/ProductManu ... 0.8_EN.pdf

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Well your boot is closed when you drive along with the alternator charging it up, so thats point 1

Point 2 would be how well sealed is your boot.


I would suggest boot open is the best situation and surely you could create a small hook similar to the current stay cable that would keep the boot open just a little bit, allowing an open boot without it hanging down past the back of the car.

Yeah point 2 was what I was thinking. If I was charging a low battery I would definitely give it plenty of ventilation. I was more wondering about the very light "pulse" charge when the battery is virtually at 100%

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68 Morris Cooper S Mk1 (*ex 78 1275 LS 4th last built, 70 Morris 1500 OHC & 70 MiniMatic)

The boot is not sealed from the body, so I just leave a window open. Mine is often on trickle charge for 3 or 4 days at a time.

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DrMini- 1970 wasaMatic 1360, Mk1S crank, 86.6HP (ATW) =~125 @ crank, 45 Dellorto (38 chokes), RE282 sprint cam, 1.5 rockers, 11.0:1 C/R.

Mine is on trickle charge for 3-4 Years at a time. Boot seals so badly the cable isn't even tight

Just to be safe than sorry, isn't it easy to just have the boot open a bit.
It would really be sad to blow the little bugger up !

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Find a job you love and you will never have to go to work !

I have and use a ctek charger in the boot I close the boot as much as possible with the cord not being able to shut all the way and have it charging for weeks/months with no problem at all. Don't forget the boot is not sealed totally you don't suffocate if locked in a boot !

Sure would....one little spark in the boot area whilst you are not looking and it could end in tears...similarly, if the garage area is well sealed and air don't move in it...an explosive mix of built up gas and petrol fumes could occur.

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"Show me the Mini!"

Interesting thought. My car can be in its Carcoon for years on end with the charger trickling away and the boot shut..

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http://www.youtube.com/user/Hanras

I agree, the chances of something going bad is extremely slim. There is also a difference between ventilation and having holes in a box. There would be some nominal amount of air volume changes over time to be considered "ventilated". Hydrogen is explosive at 4-75%, so something that could build up over time.


http://www.safeenvironments.com.au/hydr ... ging-room/

Something to think about anyway... maybe just leave the boot cracked open a couple of cm?

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Most sponge boot seals leak at the bottom where the ends touch anyway.

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DrMini- 1970 wasaMatic 1360, Mk1S crank, 86.6HP (ATW) =~125 @ crank, 45 Dellorto (38 chokes), RE282 sprint cam, 1.5 rockers, 11.0:1 C/R.

Hydrogen is lighter than air, so will escape upwards.

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Too many cars, and too little time.

Yep, most likely up the rear pillars into the roof lining where it will pool waiting for the interior light to set it off.

I once blew up a truck battery when using an angle grinder about six foot away from it. They go pop when they go.

Kaboom

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"Show me the Mini!"