Hybrid charging

[Hybridowner]

Morning everyone,

 I am taking delivery of my Toyota hybrid Excel on the 19th of August. As I’m an OAP, the car will not be doing any long journeys. I have been told that I need to keep the Battery on trickle charge, when I’m not using it. Given I don’t go out much and live in a rural area.

So any advice on the best way to do this please, would be greatly appreciated.

Many thanks 

Hybridowner 👨‍🦳🤷‍♂️👨‍🦳

[FROSTYBALLS]

Topic moved to the Yaris forum.

[Mojo1010]

Trickle charge if you have a garage or 'Ready mode' for 2x 30 mins per week. @Chas G is the forum expert on this topic.

[Hybridowner]

Hi Mojo,

thanks for the info. The car will be kept in a garage, so no problem there. I did not know if I needed a special charger or would your bog standard Battery charger do?

Thanks

[ColinB]

I would use a "smart" charger that won't overcharge the Battery, I use an Optimate on the bike which keeps the Battery in tip top shape but others are available. 

[jthspace]

Lidl smart charger at about £12-£14 would do but there are more expensive options.  May be worth getting a charge lead tail fitted to the Battery and attach charger lead through the rear door.  OK to close door on the lead. 

[dash]

CTEK chargers are highly regarded and automatically control charging level
Toyota have been known to fit tails from the Battery (under the rear seat) for CTEK chargers FOC. 

[TonyHSD]

I have Aldi £12.99 smart charger. 
Works great 👍 

[Johnold]

I asked about trickle charging when I took delivery of the car  and how best to accesses the 12v Battery

I was told that the 12v Battery could be trickle charged by using the terminals under the bonnet which are used for jump starting

But I am sure I have read on this forum that this is not possible

Would welcome comments from the forum

[jthspace]

4 minutes ago, Johnold said:

I asked about trickle charging when I took delivery of the car  and how best to accesses the 12v battery

I was told that the 12v battery could be trickle charged by using the terminals under the bonnet which are used for jump starting

But I am sure I have read on this forum that this is not possible

Would welcome comments from the forum

It is possible, see photo above.  

[Mojo1010]

4 minutes ago, Johnold said:

I asked about trickle charging when I took delivery of the car  and how best to accesses the 12v battery

I was told that the 12v battery could be trickle charged by using the terminals under the bonnet which are used for jump starting

But I am sure I have read on this forum that this is not possible

Would welcome comments from the forum

Yes it okay to do that. Long term, there are members who install or got toyota to install the tail wires to the 12v Battery under the rear seat, a lot less hassle to do the trickle charge this way.

[Derek.w]

7 minutes ago, Johnold said:

I asked about trickle charging when I took delivery of the car  and how best to accesses the 12v battery

I was told that the 12v battery could be trickle charged by using the terminals under the bonnet which are used for jump starting

But I am sure I have read on this forum that this is not possible

Would welcome comments from the forum

It possible to charge it that way but I prefere short 12 volt leads and if I am using 240 volt charger I go via rear N/S door.

[Derek.w]

I have not used a mains charger in over 3 month doing the same job via solar  panels on the dashboard.

[Chas G]

I use a ctek 5. Toyota fitted the extension comfort leads foc to the Battery under the seat. I leave the Battery charger permanently plugged so when I get home I just plug it in to charge and close the car door on the leads. The door has a large very soft seal which don't damage the leads. Double click the photos to get a clearer view. Much easier than connecting under the bonnet and takes about 30secs to connect and disconnect.

[MikeSh]

42 minutes ago, Johnold said:

But I am sure I have read on this forum that this is not possible

Perfectly possible but carries more risk.

Using croc clips routinely does mean that at some time you might not be concentrating and cause a short - might not matter, might fry something expensive.

With a proper plug, installed correctly with a fuse, there is little chance that a moment's inattention will result in any problem.

[Hybridowner]

Morning everybody,

When I asked the dealer where I can connect the charger to. He unclipped the fuse box cover a pointed to a terminal to connect to.

But on reading the excellent help in the forums, I think the easiest way and safest way, is to get the dealer to connect a lead to the boot from the Battery, then I can just plug my charger in and close the hatch door.

Many thanks for all your help.

[hind]

You just have to remember to not drive with the charger plugged in 😄 

Something like this might be useful 😛 

[jthspace]

I use exactly that attached to my steering wheel, smaller key chain version bought at an Airshow.

[TonyHSD]

I will post  picture in the afternoon with label left from someone to me in case I drive their car. It’s not funny to label something, actually works and I like it . 
🏷👌

[jthspace]

[TonyHSD]

Here are the promised pictures. 

[Dick_Dastardly]

Or there's my method which has no fears about driving off with it still attached as it simply unclips itself

 

[Derek.w]

In my situation mains charging means the lead goes down one step then over a footpath & down 2 more rather high steps so as nobody has complained that not to say they have not triped over the wire.

   On the other hand I olso hate taking in a lead after a rain shower!.

[Derek.w]

42 minutes ago, TonyHSD said:

Here are the promised pictures. 

I use a steering wheel lock for added security!.

[Yaris_Cross]

On 8/12/2024 at 8:29 AM, Hybridowner said:

 I am taking delivery of my Toyota hybrid Excel on the 19th of August. As I’m an OAP, the car will not be doing any long journeys. I have been told that I need to keep the battery on trickle charge, when I’m not using it. Given I don’t go out much and live in a rural area.

 

Could i ask why you chose a Hybrid if you are not going to drive it often?

Who told you you need to keep it on a charger?