On Wed, 16 Dec 2009 09:24:16 +0000, Dave Plowman (News) wrote:
I'm thinking of building in one of those Lidl battery chargers in the old
car. So it can be left on float when not in use. The mains lead on those
is only two core and the case plastic. I was considering a Buccaneer
weather proof mains connector mounted in the body below the rear bumper.
Should the car body be connected to mains earth?

FWIW, engine block heaters and battery conditioners are *very* common
in these parts - I'm not aware of any of them typically being grounded,
but then they always seem to have a little bit of trailing flex and
socket, rather than a socket mounted rigidly to the vehicle's body.

(I'm not sure how well a cheap battery charger will stand up to permanent
connection and repeated starts with it connected? I expect - but
don't know for sure - that a proper conditioner is designed to be a
bit more robust in that regard)

cheers

Jules