Noted that the owner manual instructs not to charge the battery whilst its connected to the main electrical systems. As I travel around two to three weeks a month, and will only use my xj8 occasionally, I'd prefer to have the battery on a monitoring charger, (not sure of the correct technical term) whereby it puts a charge when it senses it needs it. Any comments or experience on using this type of charger? I'd of course prefer to not have to disconnect the battery from the electrical systems of the car each time I leave.

Cheers, Paul

 

I use the CTEK 7 battery charger/conditioner and find it a superb tool to have. You don't have to disconnect your battery, just connect the CTEK and forget it.

Hope this helps.

 

I charged my toyota without disconnecting either terminal and after 20 charges burnt out the alternator.. as the auto elec guy said" what did this" So I disconnect one terminal now.

 

Get a CTEK (I have the MXS5.0) it's a battery "tender" rather than just a charger.
The old fashioned chargers had poor regulation, these new CTEK things are brilliant.

 

Yes it's a hangover from the days when battery chargers were poorly regulated and the ripple could damage electronics.
I fried a Toyota ECU with one.
The modern electronic 'tenders' pose no risk.

 

Just as a precaution ... the safest way to use a battery charger while the battery remains connected is to connect the battery clips first, then plug the charger into the power socket. This prevents sparking. Reverse the order when disconnecting.

If the battery tender is permanently wired to the car, then the problem is avoided because the power connection is the only connection being made or broken.

 

Yes, the CTEK comes with a quick-release plug that you hard-wire to the battery, so connecting/disconnecting is simple, no alligator clips needed, but it comes with them too.