Trickle Charger

[sgtjoe]

Has anyone used the Harbor Freight Trickle charger for your 2nd vehicle left at home for the Winter. At a price of under 6 bucks it sounds attractive. So, does it do the job??

[OneRVer]

I don't know if I would leave a trickle charger on a battery while away for an extended time. If one would go bad and no one is around to check on it hard telling what kind of damage you might have. JMHO. Remember, you get what you pay for.

I use the Battery Tender which has been very reliable. However I am able to check on it a few times a week.

[jfran304]

Quote:

Originally Posted by OneRVer I don't know if I would leave a trickle charger on a battery while away for an extended time. If one would go bad and no one is around to check on it hard telling what kind of damage you might have. JMHO. Remember, you get what you pay for. I use the Battery Tender which has been very reliable. However I am able to check on it a few times a week.

I agree. If you are going to be gone for a long period of time I would remove the battery/charge it and then store it where it won't freeze. Another benefit of this way is it makes it harder for car thieves.

I also use the Battery Tender but when we leave for extended trips I unplug it and everything else that doesn't need to be plugged in.

[dons2346]

Some of those 4 buck chargers had problems and toasted a few batteries. You could use a plain old charger set on low setting and put it on a timer to run every so often. I just disconnect the battery and let it sit for 5 months and then charge it up when I return.

[JimM68]

I also use a battery tender. Had is 15 years. Nice thing is you can go into about any motorcycle shop and get new cables for it.
I have it permanently wired (with it's included quick disconnect) into my honda, gonna wire it into the camaro this year too.

[BryanL]

I would suggest something a bit more advanced than just a float charger such as the one at Harbor Freight or the Battery Tender(tm).

Find one that also applies a sulfation inhibiting technique such as the BatteryMINDer(tm) or the converters such as that with the charge-wizard or WFCO or some others that use pulse charging or similar techniques. (or you can build your own - there are forums dedicated to this sort of thing).