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Trickle Chargers.......Any Advice?

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SCOTT.ID

11-15-2002 16:28:04

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Folks,
'Tis almost winter, and time to put away all the goodies. I�ve got some shelves built in the heated shop to store the batteries, but I want to put some type of charger on them to keep them in shape for spring.

I figger I�ve got about 8 12 volt batteries to put in storage, anywhere from deep cycle trolling motor batteries to the dinky ones in my kids Honda scooters. The 6V �N� keeps itself charged by plowing snow all winter. I�ve seen the little trickle chargers ($15.00) at Wal-Mart, but I�d prefer not to buy 8 of them and I also don�t want to have to remember to move the charger from battery to battery every couple of weeks.

Is there a way to hook up a charger so it will keep them all charged up? What do you guys do to keep your batteries charged when the snows on the ground?

Scott in the Great NorthWest

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Dave Smith, Funny how this post made me remember this

11-16-2002 04:35:01

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Re: Trickle Chargers.......Any Advice? in reply to SCOTT.ID, 11-15-2002 16:28:04

When I was just a little shaver. (Believe it or not I was a little shaver once upon a time) I would go with my dad to a Sinclair gas station in dads 34 Chevy. The station was owned by a man named Helwig. In the station he had a rack that held new Exide batteries for display. Each battery had two wires going to it, one red and one black. The wires were held to the post with wooden rings. The rings were simular to napkin holders. (We didn't use napkins at our house, shirt sleeves were good enough for us). One red and one just wood colored. Mr Helwig told me red allways goes to the positive + post. That I never forgot.
Dave <*)))><

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soundguy

11-15-2002 22:09:23

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Re: Trickle Chargers.......Any Advice? in reply to SCOTT.ID, 11-15-2002 16:28:04

In the event that you did want to charge them all at one time, you could just parallel them, assuming all o fthem are 12v batteries... Just need a bunch of gator clips and some 18awg wire.

Do you really think they will need to be charged?

Soundguy

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be careful though...

11-16-2002 07:43:39

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Re: Re: Trickle Chargers.......Any Advice? in reply to soundguy, 11-15-2002 22:09:23

If the batteries are in dissimilar states of charge, very large currents could flow BETWEEN the paralleled batteries irrespective of the charger.

fwiw
-kevin

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kevin

11-15-2002 20:58:25

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Re: Trickle Chargers.......Any Advice? in reply to SCOTT.ID, 11-15-2002 16:28:04

If you do not charge these during the summer, there is no reason to charge them during the winter. The discharge rate will be less in the cold than the warm weather. HOWEVER, I would overcharge any you are worried about to bring the sp. gr. to maximum and to reduce stratification of the electrolyte. This is why it is important to overcharge them to the point of foaming for a period. A trickle charger will not do this. As a rule of thumb, you can charge them at 1/20 to 1/10 of the amphour cap. I charge mine 'til the voltage is maybe 14.4 volts and they have fizzed long enough to stir the electrolyte. It is possible for a charged battery to get some ice on the top if it is cold enough and it has set undistrubed for a long period as the acid tends to settle to the bottom. This assumes you have flooded cell batts.

This is solely the author's opinion for informational purposes only and not intended to prevent, diagnose, or treat any disease or malady; nor is anything stated intended nor should it be construed as legal advice.

-kevin

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Phil (NJ-AZ-SK)

11-15-2002 19:40:45

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Re: Trickle Chargers.......Any Advice? in reply to SCOTT.ID, 11-15-2002 16:28:04

>>>Scott in the Great NorthWest>>>

I just charge up my batteries, in the fall, such that they don't freeze and leave them installed in the vehicles. I know of no "technical reason" why any other method will extend battery life... Your choice!

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Jack-Illinois

11-15-2002 18:55:41

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Re: Trickle Chargers.......Any Advice? in reply to SCOTT.ID, 11-15-2002 16:28:04

We are away 3 months in the winter and just leave a car, truck, 3 garden tractors and the 8N in an unheated garage. The only ones that have gone bad were the ones that were already 5 to 7 years old. Usually everything starts on it's own battery when we return. The people that lived in our house before us left a battery charger on overnight and it shorted out and burned the garage down with 2 cars in it. If I were going to leave a battery maintainer or trickle charger on, I would be sure it was fused on the input for it's max input rating. This would probably not be over a couple of amps.

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Jack-Illinois

11-15-2002 18:50:38

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Re: Trickle Chargers.......Any Advice? in reply to SCOTT.ID, 11-15-2002 16:28:04

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Dave Smith

11-15-2002 18:19:17

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Re: Trickle Chargers.......Any Advice? in reply to SCOTT.ID, 11-15-2002 16:28:04

Harbor Freight has a Battery Float charger on sale vor $7.46 item 42292-1CPB. I just recieved 4 of them. I can tell you better in the spring how well they work.
Dave <*)))><

Harbor Freight

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Dan

11-15-2002 17:59:21

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Re: Trickle Chargers.......Any Advice? in reply to SCOTT.ID, 11-15-2002 16:28:04

I agree with Mark, Just give them a full charge and set them aside, clean them off good, don't let them freeze. They should be fine over the winter.

If they are flooded cell batteries make sure they have enough water in them to cover the plates.... Be careful about filling them before charging.... the fuild expands when fully charged.. B4 charging make sure there is at least water covering the plates.... if plates are showing add enough to just cover.. no more.... then charge... After charging check level and fill up to about half way between plates and top.

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Tyler (MD)

11-15-2002 17:40:21

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Re: Trickle Chargers.......Any Advice? in reply to SCOTT.ID, 11-15-2002 16:28:04

Chargerone at a time. I use chargers from batterytender.com. They aint cheap but nice. I have a 6v and 12v charger.

Tyman

Battery Tender

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Tyler....Scott.ID

11-15-2002 19:52:28

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Re: Re: Trickle Chargers.......Any Advice? in reply to Tyler (MD), 11-15-2002 17:40:21

10 batteries, 2 amps, just perfect!

Now if I can sell the N for $700.00, I can get one! (grin)

Thanks for the link,

Scott

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Tyler (MD)

11-16-2002 05:59:16

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Re: Re: Re: Trickle Chargers.......Any Advice? in reply to Tyler....Scott.ID, 11-15-2002 19:52:28

Wow, didn't investigate enough to notice they sold that unit. Wow, but heck, that's an answer to your question. Maybe you could go into the "Winter Trickle Charge" battery business.

LOL,
Tyman

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Willy-N

11-15-2002 17:03:59

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Re: Trickle Chargers.......Any Advice? in reply to SCOTT.ID, 11-15-2002 16:28:04

I just charge them once about every 6 months or so. I also keep them in a warm area off the concrete floor. It is hard to hook all of them together to keep them up. You would need them to be the same size and type for it to work and a good charger with float to maintain them. If one goes bad it will drain on the rest. Just clean the tops off good around the terminals and charge them 1 at a time to full charge. Mark H.

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