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Winter Battery charger type
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Author:  AlexJ [ Mon Oct 27, 2008 3:51 pm ]
Post subject:  Winter Battery charger type
For those of you who pull and keep your batteries stored during the winter somewhere, do you or do you not trickle charge the batteries over the winter? What is the cheapest but most reliable trickle charger that I could use?
Author:  Walt [ Mon Oct 27, 2008 4:48 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Winter Battery charger type
I use the Shcumaker (sp) brand from Walmart. It's a 1.5A for about $20. I wire all 3 batts (2 for boat, 1 for riding lawn mower). I load test each of them with a battery tester (also about $20 through Harbor Frieght) so I can address any bad ones over the winter. After an initial charge with a separate rapid charger, I put them on the trickle for a week or two (stored in the garage ~60F), then shut it off. A few weeks before I plan on digging them out, turn it back on.
Author:  KSJ08 [ Tue Oct 28, 2008 10:57 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Winter Battery charger type
I have and been using Battery Tender Jr. on my tractor ATV Motorcycle & boat. Never had a problem & I think I paid $39.00 It came W/ a lead that I attacked to the cycle & an extra lead W/clips.Ao I don't have to take the batt out of the bike But still can use it on all the otehrs. In fact I'm gonna buy a 2nd one.
Author:  07H200SS [ Wed Oct 29, 2008 7:55 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Winter Battery charger type
I use a smart charger from Interstate. Just plug it in for the winter and forget about it until spring. Only charges when needed and shuts it self off when not needed. And it was only $24.00 as I have an account with Interstate through work.
Author:  230 Mike [ Wed Oct 29, 2008 9:25 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Winter Battery charger type
I use the same one as Walt. Good charger, cheap.
Author:  M3eater [ Fri Oct 31, 2008 12:31 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Winter Battery charger type
If you'd like to get just a bit more elaborate, and better for your batteries, consider a pulse-type de-sulphation charger. These chargers actually rebuild the lead-sulphate crystal structure on the cell plates, as they charge and maintain the batteries. A proper pusle technology charger can greatly extend the long-term life of your batteries.

CTek is a leader in this technology. Here's a link to the one we sell (I'm not suggesting that you buy it from us, but of course you can). It's the base model.

http://www.bavauto.com/shop.asp?HC1=0&Htarget=search.asp&HCY=1991&HCM=m5&SearchStr=ctek

Image

I use the 7000 model to keep a bank of batteries (from all of our seasonally stored vehicles/toys and ones out of parts cars that I pick up) in top shape at all times. I use the 3300 for the boat (without removing the batteries).

Here's a link to CTek's site:

http://www.ctek.com/EN-US/Charger-Academy.aspx
Author:  M3eater [ Fri Oct 31, 2008 12:52 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Winter Battery charger type
Sorry .... deleted due to wrong thread......
Author:  robbo3 [ Fri Oct 31, 2008 1:02 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Winter Battery charger type
I have a charger similar to Mike & Walt, except I bought it at Farm & Fleet. It's inexpensive and does the trick. I'll charge it in January, then again in late March when I start getting anxious.
Author:  Flying Sushi [ Fri Oct 31, 2008 1:19 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Winter Battery charger type
I leave them alone (disconnected) while in winter storage.. I will charge up full when I take her out in April with a typical battery charger. (use slow mode)
Author:  su2skelsey [ Tue Dec 02, 2008 6:36 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Winter Battery charger type
Two things:
1. I have my boat close enough to run an electrical cord out to my boat. I bought a converter plug to plug into my shore power outlet. Is there anything wrong with keeping the battery charged this way? Just use the battery charger in the boat...

2. I have an extra set of batteries (Deep Cycle - Interstate), is there any reason to take the tops off the battery when I charge them?
Author:  Walt [ Tue Dec 02, 2008 8:51 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Winter Battery charger type
Just make sure you have plenty of ventilation to disipate any built up H2 gas. could be explosive. Make sure the battery is full (liquid), and in an enclosed area in event the water/acid starts to boil. I imagine battery acid could make a mess of gelcoat.

For those of you with complicated, multi-mode battery chargers.... a little battery theory as I worked on many for a few years. Start with a rapid discharge/re-charge cycle. This will help break up some of the sulphur on the lead, exposing fresh plates to the electrolyte. follow up with a continuous (trickle) charge. this should keep from boiling over, and evaporating all the electrolyte. A cook-off is bad, in that the plate gets heated, warps, and shorts to another plate. Hence I check at the beginning and end of season.... I also buy my batt's at Walmat.... the quality may be, uh... questionable to begin with, but has been working well for about 15 years of boating.
Author:  St. Louis Dave [ Thu Dec 04, 2008 11:27 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Winter Battery charger type
Those of you that use the Walmart chargers, does yours make a clicking sound when using it?
Author:  Walt [ Thu Dec 04, 2008 6:19 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Winter Battery charger type
St. Louis Dave wrote:
Those of you that use the Walmart chargers, does yours make a clicking sound when using it?


Uh, No! :shock:

Clicking like a count-down or other timer? Electrical "clicking"? Noise from the battery that could be release of H2 gas.... yes.
Author:  St. Louis Dave [ Thu Dec 04, 2008 9:13 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Winter Battery charger type
I have one of these
Image

and it makes a very fast clicking sound (about 120 bpm).
Author:  230 Mike [ Thu Dec 04, 2008 10:38 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Winter Battery charger type
St. Louis Dave wrote:
Those of you that use the Walmart chargers, does yours make a clicking sound when using it?


No. My guess is that yours is defective. A properly functioning battery charger should never make any sound other than possibly a hum during high current usage; these little trickle chargers should be silent.
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