Community Forums

mchase1 · 01-28-2021, 06:37 PM

What is the best trickle charger? I have my coach batteries in my garage. I was told to put on a trickle charger. What is the best?

Dave-Oh · 01-28-2021, 07:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mchase1

What is the best trickle charger? I have my coach batteries in my garage. I was told to put on a trickle charger. What is the best?

I use a Battery Tender. https://www.batterytender.com

arcaguy · 01-28-2021, 07:28 PM

Just to be clear, a trickle charger and a battery tender are not the same animal. A trickle charger is an unregulated charger at very low amperage and will turn a brand new battery to junk over the course of a winter. Please don't ask how I know. A battery tender is a somewhat intelligent device that senses battery voltage and turns the charger on and off at appropriate voltages thereby avoiding ruining the battery. The term trickle charger is many times used to refer to battery tenders these days. Just make sure of what you are buying, you want a battery tender. They range from $5 at Harbor Freight to several hundred $ for a multi battery setup. You probably want something in between.

Offramp · 01-29-2021, 07:54 AM

Since 2001 we use Battery Tenders Plus and Battery Tender Jr. for our boats and lawn tractors batteries. Batteries are hooked up to the Battery Tenders from October to May. We learned the hard way that a low voltage boat battery will freeze and die completely during a cold Northern Michigan winter.

NRR · 01-30-2021, 08:13 AM

I have used Battery Tender Plus for many years on boats, lawn equipment and the camper. The current camper has a smart converter charging the house batteries all winter. The Battery Tender Plus is on the chassis battery in the camper all winter. I check the house batteries about once a month & add water as needed.

mchase1 · 01-30-2021, 10:10 AM

Thanks everyone you have been very helpful!

THenne1713 · 01-31-2021, 12:35 AM

Tenders/ trickle chargers, either one, ALWAYS CHECK w/ a VOLT METER occasionally; even a NEW one or (nearly new) can be BAD/ Low output, when You THINK it is doing its job, it is not.

Weeds636 · 02-05-2021, 09:03 PM

https://www.harborfreight.com/automo...ner-63350.html

I have been using this one. It will charge and maintain. The charge is a low amp charge.

l1v3fr33ord1 · 02-06-2021, 06:16 AM

mchas1-

First off, welcome to iRV2!

Re: Battery charger. I have used a BatteryMINDer model 12248 for several years. It works well. It has interchangeable charging clips and a battery temperature sensor. The 12248 appears to be discontinued. The replacement looks to be the 128CEC1. You can buy one here.

Finally, you should add a "signature" to your profile. It contains whatever info you want; most people put info about their coach there, so they don't have to type it into each message. Instructions for adding a signature are here.

Winemaker2 · 02-06-2021, 01:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by l1v3fr33ord1

mchas1-

First off, welcome to iRV2!

Re: Battery charger. I have used a BatteryMINDer model 12248 for several years. It works well. It has interchangeable charging clips and a battery temperature sensor. The 12248 appears to be discontinued. The replacement looks to be the 128CEC1. You can buy one here.

Finally, you should add a "signature" to your profile. It contains whatever info you want; most people put info about their coach there, so they don't have to type it into each message. Instructions for adding a signature are here.

I have several of the same brand but have the one mentioned on my MH house bank of 8 GC AGMs.
I have been very satisfied with BatteryMinder and their tech reps are helpful. I permanently mounted the 12248 on the MH.