Battery maintenance chargers

[BritKLR]

The winters can be cold and long in Colorado. I've learned to keep "8" different vehicle batteries on their own battery maintenance "trickle" chargers and it seems to work well but, I got to wondering how many others do this regularly and what type of "success" or "problems" you may encounter from long term use of low amp maintenance chargers?

 

[Notyourmomslx450]

I do for my 80, but because it sits most of the winter.

 

[SteveH]

I have $5-10 Harbor Freight 500ma chargers (and a few expensive ones) on my Massey tractor, lawn tractor, plow truck, ATV, FJ62, FJ40, F350, and camper battery. I get great battery life and every vehicle is happy to start when asked. The battery in my FJ40 is dated 2011.

Obviously, I have way too much gas powered junk and much of it sits a lot. I really think it contributes to long battery life and the 500ma output it so low that it does not fry or overcharge the batteries. I run conventional lead-acid batteries in everything. I don't think you have to buy a $40 brand name unit - the HF ones work just fine. I have been doing this for ~30 years or so.

 

[Capriblue45]

I have a half a dozen NAPA branded trickle chargers on my motorcycles, tractor and mower and never had any issues with reduced battery life.

 

[rover67]

I’ve been using the NoCo ones on everything they have settings for the various battery types we all use and are reliable. As a side my old craftsman 12 amp charger had my camper 12v battery bank at 15.5v yesterday. Two 6v AGMs in series and they were audibly bubbling. Time to retire it

 

[Inukshuk]

Following.

I keep a Costco one on my garaged 80 most of the time. Seems better than not.

I am interested to maybe get solar ones for LongCruiser cause it sits a lot - but starts every time - and for when my 100 sits a few weeks (has not started after 2-3 weeks on occasion.

 

[Corbet]

If my 80 sits a long time I generally put my solar panel on it for a couple days as it’s generally not parked close to a 110 outlet.

 

[KC Masterpiece]

I’ve been using the NoCo ones on everything they have settings for the various battery types we all use and are reliable. As a side my old craftsman 12 amp charger had my camper 12v battery bank at 15.5v yesterday. Two 6v AGMs in series and they were audibly bubbling. Time to retire it

I have also used the NoCO cargers. I have 6 sitting under the tree for the rest of the family. My parents have a habit of returning from vacation to all dead vehicles.

 

[RayRay27]

I have a couple viking battery chargers (Harbor Freight) that I use for my camper battery or other batteries i have and an Odyssey battery charger that I bought a few years ago from 4Wheelparts to charge the battery in my 80. The Viking ones work pretty good and you can usually pick one up on sale.

 

[adamsfly]

A friend of mine uses various small, maybe the 500ma models, on all of his equipment at his ranch in South Park near Antero, and we know how cold it can get there. He says that some of the batteries are 15 years old and still going strong. I just recently started to use them based on his experience.

 

[subzali]

I use the optima chargers for the FJ40 and for anything else that occasionally sits. So far no complaints.

 

[DouglasVB]

I've used the Battery Tender brand of chargers for years on motorcycles, a bobcat skid steer, a john deere gater, a deep cycle battery only used in the summer on a gate controller, and on my old 4runner. At least anecdotally with my motorcycles, I used to need a new battery every two years and now the battery usually lasts 5-6 years.

The biggest thing is to get a battery tender sized for the battery and the right type for the battery (like if you've got lithium, use a lithium rated battery tender, etc.)

 

[Burt88]

I've had mixed results using trickle chargers. Seems that overuse of these "maintainers" has caused my batteries to have a shorter than expected life cycle. It's a bit of a hassle but I remove and store my batteries in my heated shop when not in use over the winter. Since then I haven't had any issues with charge when I reinstall them after 4-6 months. The main thing is keeping them away from deep freeze and off of concrete floors.

I believe the maintainers are best used for stuff that you'll use occasionally and not just leave for months. Or perhaps something that has a parasitic draw that needs constant charge until you've found the problem. Even then my best results were disconnecting the battery.

 

[baileyfj40]

I've got several on the 2 F350s, FJ62, Tacoma, 200, ATV, RZR,and Mustang plus couple of other batteries. Some Battery tender brand and 2 and 4 amp Harbor Freight and increased the life of the batteries every time.

 

[Inukshuk]

Any recommendations for solar maintainers?

 

[Corbet]

Any recommendations for solar maintainers?

No experience with this panel but where I’d probably start for a solar maintainer. Both my trailer and truck solar systems are from Renogy and work great.

10W Solar Battery Charger and Maintainer

Equipped with premium monocrystalline solar cells, the Renogy 10W Solar Battery Charger Maintainer manages your 12V lead-acid battery in daylight conditions by converting the sunlight into usable electricity and maintaining a healthy state of charge.

www.renogy.com

 

[Johnny Utah]

@Inukshuk Daniel, I have a renogy solar panel that has been mostly unused since selling our camper. You’re welcome to give it a try and see if you like it.

Let me know if you’re interested and I’ll give you all the information about it.

Edit: the one corbet posted is much smaller and portable than the one I have. Mine looks like this one; https://www.renogy.com/100-watt-12-volt-monocrystalline-foldable-solar-suitcase-w-o-controller/

 

[Inukshuk]

No experience with this panel but where I’d probably start for a solar maintainer. Both my trailer and truck solar systems are from Renogy and work great.

10W Solar Battery Charger and Maintainer

Equipped with premium monocrystalline solar cells, the Renogy 10W Solar Battery Charger Maintainer manages your 12V lead-acid battery in daylight conditions by converting the sunlight into usable electricity and maintaining a healthy state of charge.

www.renogy.com

I have heard of Renogy.

The manual says: "DO NOT leave the solar battery charger maintainer connected and unattended for extended periods of time. Check the battery status frequently for safe operation." The website says: "Also, battery chargers maintainers are entirely automatic and can be left connected for a long time." Lawyers....

@Inukshuk Daniel, I have a renogy solar panel that has been mostly unused since selling our camper. You’re welcome to give it a try and see if you like it.

Let me know if you’re interested and I’ll give you all the information about it.

Edit: the one corbet posted is much smaller and portable than the one I have. Mine looks like this one; https://www.renogy.com/100-watt-12-volt-monocrystalline-foldable-solar-suitcase-w-o-controller/

Much appreciated. That's a good kit and for a "set and forget" the style Corbet posted looks like a good choice.

 

[Corbet]

Yah Lawyers…

 

[nuclearlemon]

I have run a battery tender jr on fat bastard and, before that, the nuclearmarshmallow. mine is an old one and didn't come with battery clamps, just the pigtail that hooks to the battery posts.

annie, i just unhook the battery.