Trickle charger?

[KeyWestBoater]

Does anyone know any good decent trickle chargers that will keep my 12v battery charged? I noticed that after the boat is in the garage for 3-4 weeks (I know, too long between trips!) the battery is getting a little low. Something I can leave on that will only charge when needed. Thanks!

 

[The Great Escape II]

Re: Trickle charger?

When we had a bowrider I used a battery tender, worked great.

http://batterytender.com/default.php?cPath=11_2&osCsid=7508668876174fc5e4f6c286b829593b

 

[KeyWestBoater]

Re: Trickle charger?

I read the link. It says that trickle chargers can damage the battery. Why is that? $60 seems a lot for a charger. Here's one on iboats I found. Think this will work?
http://www.iboats.com/Vexilar_Automatic_Digital_Charger/dm/*******.115520366--keywords.charger--list_time.1217516891--**********.782836949--view_id.391955

 

[The Great Escape II]

Re: Trickle charger?

This is from their FAQ section of their website. I have experience from the one I mentioned, really can't comment on the other one.

How is the Battery Tender Plus battery charger different from a trickle charger?

The Battery Tender Plus battery charger delivers 1.25 amperes during bulk charge mode, holds the battery charge voltage constant at 14.4 VDC during absorption charge mode until the battery charge current drops to 0.1 amperes at which time it then automatically switches to a float charge mode. During float charge mode, the output voltage of the Battery Tender Plus battery charger is 13.2 VDC, which is well below the gassing voltage of a lead acid battery. This keeps the battery topped off, while minimizing any detrimental effects to do gassing. The Battery Tender Plus battery charger is able to perform these complex switching functions because its electronic circuitry is controlled by an on board microprocessor.
Although they often appear to be a better economic choice for the typical consumer, trickle chargers do not have the advantage of sophisticated electronic control. Therefore, as they allow the value of charge current to trickle down to what appears to be safe levels, the output voltage of the charger rises well above 15 VDC, sometimes even going higher that 16 VDC depending on the charger type and the battery that is connected to it. Either voltage is well above the gassing voltage of a lead acid battery. If the battery remains connected to this high level of voltage for an extended period of time, even less than 1 day, extreme damage can be done to the battery. What appears to be a cost savings for the charger may actually cost several times the charger price in replacement batteries.

 

[109jb]

Re: Trickle charger?

A trickle charger is still a constant rate charger whereas a battery maintainer adjusts voltage and current to the level required to maintain a full charge. The trickle charger will eventually "boil" off the water in a lead acid battery. Stick with the maintainer type chargers for what you want to do. The Battery Tender is popular, but other brands are out there. I personally use Black and Decker battery maintainers that are about 1/2 the price. You can get them just about anywhere. I got mine at wally world. The key is that you want to find one that is a "Float" charger/maintainer. The package will usually say that they will not harm batteries no matter how long they are hooked up.

 

[KeyWestBoater]

Re: Trickle charger?

I had no idea. Thanks for the info. I will look for a "maintainer" type charger. I sure wouldn't want to ruin my battery!

BTW I noticed that before my last trip my battery had dropped to just below 12v but it still started with no problem. The battery is about 6 mos old, came new with the boat. Does this sound normal? I was concerned about the voltage drop that's why I'm considering a charger.

 

[jennis9]

Re: Trickle charger?

I did some research and for our situation, this one works great. we have a main battery wired to the alternator and all of our necessary gear is hooked up to battery 1.... nav lights, vhf and all operational equip.

the second battery is not hooked up to the initial battery (yet) and has our fishfinder, radio/cd and downrigers. This charger/massager has multistage charge - and will devide the load - if the first battery neds only 2 - it will send the rest 10 over to the second battery.

we love it for our onboard solution. We will daisy-chain both batteries next season and in the winter will buy a charger/maintainer that will decalcify the batteries.

 

[Silvertip]

Re: Trickle charger?

I've installed one of these on each of my last three boats. My new pontoon also has one. They are $25 - $35 at most auto or farm stores. Made by Schumaker.

 

[BMOLCHANY]

Re: Trickle charger?

Well if it is just in the garage then I use one that I bought at Harbor Freight for ten bucks and I cant complain at all. No problems.

 

[john from md]

Re: Trickle charger?

I have both battery tenders and the Harbor Freight model. I have checked both with my calibrated Fluke meter and find the output to be almost identical. The Battery Tender output is 13.4V and the Harbor Freight unit is 13.3 volts.

The Battery Tender cost me $40 and the Harbor Freight float charger was $4.99 on sale. Granted, the Battery tender is a waterproof, onboard unit so it is not like I am comparing equal products. However, for my in house batteries, I use the Harbor Freight unit and my batteries are lasting five years or longer.

Regards,

John

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: Trickle charger?

i have 4 harbor freight float chargers, never had a problem.

 

[ncs2929]

Re: Trickle charger?

Battery Tender Waterproof 800 $49.95. Won't boil batteries.

 

[BMOLCHANY]

Re: Trickle charger?

I am glad to see that someone else uses off the wall brands that actually work vs big name ones that work just the same but cost four times as much. Waterproof is nice but it depends on the application.

 

[Silvertip]

Re: Trickle charger?

In my case the Schumaker is a water proof unit and is permanently installed near the starting battery. My big on-board charger is installed near the troller battery. Both are powered at the dock and are plugged in continuously at home. While many people install dual and triple bank chargers with one bank tied to the starting battery, I find that to be a tad bit of overkill. Start batteries do not get discharged very deeply. I'd rather use the big charger to get my troller batteries topped off quickly and not waste an output on the start battery. While I have no evidence other than what I've read, chargers that load share may not be all they are cracked up to be. Like so many things, if it's designed to do more than it's prime job, it probably doesn't do any of them perfectly.

 

[KeyWestBoater]

Re: Trickle charger?

Do they only sell them at Harbour Freight stores?

TD, I found a store on Blanding Blvd. Or is there another place?

 

[Silvertip]

Re: Trickle charger?

A battery switch does nothing for a discharged trolling motor battery. We are talking chargers and maintainers here. Most engines do not have an alternator large enough to keep a couple of big deep cycles charged. Besides, you have to run wide open for hours to keep those batteries topped off.