trickle charger for cars that sit/Odyssey charger

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DartConvertible

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hey- does anyone have experience with trickle chargers to keep up batteries in cars that aren't used often? My father in law is looking for one and found one on line, but I like to get some word of mouth recomendations for stuff like this. I did see one mentioned in another thread here, an Odyssey charger.

thanks

Peter
 
I use them on my truck and airboat, they are some sort of "smart charger" that will slowly discharge the batteries then at a certain point charges them back up, I can not think of the brand at the moment.
After 3-4 months sitting dormant they fire right up with no hesitation.
 
65BCODA said:
I use them on my truck and airboat, they are some sort of "smart charger" that will slowly discharge the batteries then at a certain point charges them back up, I can not think of the brand at the moment.
After 3-4 months sitting dormant they fire right up with no hesitation.
Click to expand...

Interested in more info on these "smart chargers".
 
Chargetek CT150-1 is what I use on all the equipment at work and they do a good job. A backup generator isn't any good if it will not start when you need it to. http://chargetek.com
 
DartConvertible said:
hey- does anyone have experience with trickle chargers to keep up batteries in cars that aren't used often? My father in law is looking for one and found one on line, but I like to get some word of mouth recomendations for stuff like this. I did see one mentioned in another thread here, an Odyssey charger.

thanks

Peter
Click to expand...
hey get a Battery Tender. great unit
 
65BCODA said:
I use them on my truck and airboat, they are some sort of "smart charger" that will slowly discharge the batteries then at a certain point charges them back up, I can not think of the brand at the moment.
After 3-4 months sitting dormant they fire right up with no hesitation.
Click to expand...
They don't actually discharge the battery, but they stop charging when an upper voltage threshold is reached. When a lower threshold is reached, the start charging again. Voltage is continually monitored, whether they are charging or not.

I'm surprised nobody mentioned the Schumacher. I have five of them for old cars, motorcycles, a Farmall Cub tractor, and a riding mower.
They do the same as the more expensive Battery Tenders, but this one has the added benefit of working on either 12 or 6 volts. I haven't seen any others that work on 6v. The Cub and one of the motorcycles are 6v, so I was really happy to find them.

They were about $20 each at Wal-Mart when I got them several years ago. Lots cheaper than the Battery Tender models.

yhst-85105415359236_2043_389692

 
Picked up a couple of these at Harbor Freight for $6 each. Hope they do the trick(le) :toothy7:

Time will tell......

Battery Float Charger 002.jpg
 
Hey, thanks for all this. We ended up with the battery Tender, which is working well.. even kind of topping up the battery when the alt. won't. It's an Alfa, what can I say. So now we're looking at one for a jeep that sits for 6 months every year unused at a summer cabin. I'm not comfortable keeping it plugged in for 6 mos unattended, any thoughts you guys? At least the garage is seperate from the house, in case the battery explodes
 
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