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Author Topic:   Trickle Chargers

PeteB88 posted 02-10-2007 12:01 AM ET (US)
How important are low power chargers? Salesman tried to sell me today for more than I paid for my deep cycle battery. It is 0 degrees again, battery is in basement on block of wood. I hook the regular charger up to it for a while on occasion. What is real benefit of full time, low power charger?
deepwater posted 02-10-2007 11:01 AM ET (US)
[Endorses trickle chargers]
davej14 posted 02-10-2007 12:51 PM ET (US)
"Trickle" chargers of the "el-cheap-o" variety can be harmful if left connected to your battery full time. It is important that you do not overcharge your battery. The more costly chargers should profile the charging voltage and reduce it to a proper maintainance level when fully charged. A typical lead-acid battery should be charged once per month during periods of extended storage. AGM cells can go for a much longer period between charges because they have lower internal leakage current.
If you hook your regular charger up once a month you should be fine.
PeteB88 posted 02-11-2007 03:04 PM ET (US)
makes sense and don't need more stuff around this place, Thanks Dave
Scott Grey posted 02-16-2007 02:56 PM ET (US)
I personally use the battery tender brand chargers for slow charge. Just wire the connector to the battery or use the supplied clips and plug it in. The charger regulates the charge and shuts off when fully charged. I've used them for several years for cars, atv's etc. The larger model (around $70.00) has a diagnostic that tells when its charging, trickle charging and fully charged.

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Author	Topic: Trickle Chargers
PeteB88	posted 02-10-2007 12:01 AM ET (US) How important are low power chargers? Salesman tried to sell me today for more than I paid for my deep cycle battery. It is 0 degrees again, battery is in basement on block of wood. I hook the regular charger up to it for a while on occasion. What is real benefit of full time, low power charger?
deepwater	posted 02-10-2007 11:01 AM ET (US) [Endorses trickle chargers]
davej14	posted 02-10-2007 12:51 PM ET (US) "Trickle" chargers of the "el-cheap-o" variety can be harmful if left connected to your battery full time. It is important that you do not overcharge your battery. The more costly chargers should profile the charging voltage and reduce it to a proper maintainance level when fully charged. A typical lead-acid battery should be charged once per month during periods of extended storage. AGM cells can go for a much longer period between charges because they have lower internal leakage current. If you hook your regular charger up once a month you should be fine.
PeteB88	posted 02-11-2007 03:04 PM ET (US) makes sense and don't need more stuff around this place, Thanks Dave
Scott Grey	posted 02-16-2007 02:56 PM ET (US) I personally use the battery tender brand chargers for slow charge. Just wire the connector to the battery or use the supplied clips and plug it in. The charger regulates the charge and shuts off when fully charged. I've used them for several years for cars, atv's etc. The larger model (around $70.00) has a diagnostic that tells when its charging, trickle charging and fully charged.