Do you have to disconnect the positive lead from the battery to connect it to a battery charger or can you just put the alligator clips on the terminals and let it charge in its own time.

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Just connect it up & charge away.

Do not try to start the car until you have disconnected the charger or you can overload it.

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Too many cars, and too little time.

Thanks mate, I wasn't too sure with the EFI set up, thought it may upset the computer thingie....

Thanks again....

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I have always disconnected the earth and then charged up.
No problems to date

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'98 Mpi Sportspack + 7 port alloy head

It's only a problem if the car is taking a drain from the battery that is greater than the charge current available from the transformer. Otherwise charge away.

Disconnecting the positive (or negative terminal for that matter) is only perhaps imprtant if you are leaving the car for a long while without being used. It will stop the charge leaking away if there is a immobilser or clock or radio fitted.

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SooperDooperMiniCooperExpertEngineering

All garage work involves equal measures of enthusiasm, ingenuity and a fair degree of irresponsibility.

When you charge a battery it can give off hydrogen gas.
If you hook up the battery terminals after it has been charged it can cause a spark.
If you leave it hooked up the only spark you have to worry about is when you disconnect the charger. So turn the charger off at the wall before removing the alligator clips.

Would a drycell battery give off hydrogen as well?

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Starlet Conversion:
http://www.ausmini.com/forums/viewtopic.php?t=15484

I never hook the charger onto the battery in the boot- I find it easier to lift the bonnet and hook it onto the battery cable lug at the solenoid, and clip the [-] to a head stud.
No hydrogen getting sparked then.

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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.

Dunno, I suppose you could sit a lit candle on the top of it while you are charging it.
(It is a joke. I am kidding, Oh come on now I didn't really expect anyone to actually be silly enough to try it... Oh well I know there is the usual idiots but they don't read technical threads anyway...)

Good call!
I am not use to batteries in the boot anymore. I have mine under the bonnet where it belongs!

funnies thing happen to me the last weekend
I have always disconnect the Battery from the car and charged it seperate to the car
Untill I saw drmini in aust charging up Haha
Stuff programmingthe Head Unit of the Stereo again

These simple thing are simply fixed when you see someone else doing it

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Stop Licking the Dog...I Don't Care Who Started It