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Thoughts on charging batterys while they are in the car and connected. Is it bad, could you do damage to the ecu? I guess not as on average 5amps is going into a really flat battery. I ask as I was told to disconnect the battery before charging as an apprentice (many moons ago) but have only come to question it now. I note that Danner is always charging batts while testing.
Interesting. :huh: I've never thought twice about charging a battery in the car, or even have the key on while charging. Really, I would think disconnecting the battery would cause more problems than charging the battery while connected. :lol:
I think the only issue would be introducing AC ripple into any scope waveforms you'd be taking off the car while charging, as you can see in some videos. Otherwise, I say go for it!
The early car electronics used germanium transistor were much more sensitive to spikes so extra caution was required to avoid spikes and reverse polarity. But I never disconnect on a running engine when I do connect chargers, jump packs or booster leads I always just touch the leads to check there is no big spark before connection proper. I use two modern chargers a small fully automatic8 amp charger (the type sold by Aldi and Lidl in Europe ---- highly recommended and great value) and a large booster charger. I haven't check the boost charger for ripple but small charger output is very clean.
" We're trying to plug a hole in the universe, what are you doing ?. "
(Walter Bishop Fringe TV show)
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