Battery Trickle Float Charger

[unitydnk]

does anyone use one of these?

[tlhdoc]

I use a 3 stage "smart charger".  It automatically changes the rate of charging as the battery charges.  It starts out at a high rate then drops to a trickle charger.  

[unitydnk]

how much should I pay for 1 do you think?

[DGrant09]

does anyone use one of these?

 We purchased one of these on Ebay and are very pleased with it thus far..  This seller was prompt, item shelf box was beat but the item was 100% intact with no damage, the shipping box from the seller was done well and in great shape.  I suppose the shelf box was beat up from the manufacturer.  I saved a few $$..  We paid $13.00 + shipping..

 
  http://cgi.ebay.com/Schumacher-12-8-2-Battery-Charger-12-Volt-A-car-boat_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQcategoryZ50391QQitemZ6040020356QQrdZ1QQsspagenameZWDVW

[AustinBoston]

does anyone use one of these?

Trickle charging is not adequate for actually charging a battery.  It's not the best idea for maintaining a charge, either.

My converter monitors battery activity, and after 48 hours of inactivity (and every 48 hours after that) it delivers a 10-minute "maintenance" charge.

Because of the potential extreme cold here in Minnesota, I don't store the battery on the camper.  Instead, I have it in a heated shop where I throw it on a "dumb" charger at 6 amps for 20 minutes every month or so.  But as soon as it's warm enough, it goes back on the camper.

Austin

[dpluta]

Hi.

I bought a Schmacher Speedcharger from Walmart for $40. Works great. Regardless of the battery you own (24, 27, 6v), you need to keep it regularly charged or it will die an early death. Here's what I do:

1) Remove the battery from the box if it's going to go unused for more than a month (winter).

2) I keep it stored in my basement and I run a maintenance charge on it once a month.

When it's in use during camping season, I leave it in the box and recharge it to 100% right before I leave.

Bye.

[PITPOP27]

We purchased one of these on Ebay and are very pleased with it thus far..  This seller was prompt, item shelf box was beat but the item was 100% intact with no damage, the shipping box from the seller was done well and in great shape.  I suppose the shelf box was beat up from the manufacturer.  I saved a few $$..  We paid $13.00 + shipping..

 
  http://cgi.ebay.com/Schumacher-12-8-2-Battery-Charger-12-Volt-A-car-boat_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQcategoryZ50391QQitemZ6040020356QQrdZ1QQsspagenameZWDVW

DITTOOOOOO,
And it works GREAT!  Thanks to our dear friends here, we never would have found it!

[unitydnk]

12V Automatic Battery Float Charger for Cars Trucks ++
Bidding Starts At: $0.01

12 Volt Automatic Float Charger. Perfect for storeage on your boat, car, RV, truck, auto..you name it!

13.5 VDC regulated output.

Maintains a battery charge for batteries rated from 5 to 125 amp-hours.

Charger prevents self discharge of the battery while maintaining and extending the life of rechargeable 12 volt batteries.

This float charger is used for maintenance of wet or gel-cell batteries that are stored or used periodically in items like boats, cars, snowmobiles, ATVs, and tractors.

Automatic emergency shut-off.

This is not a trickle charger.



this is what I got but will it work? we won't be dry camping much

[mike4947]

Well note that it doesn't say it's a charger but only a maintainer. You need a charger. That unit is designed only to maintain a FULLY charged battery.

[unitydnk]

it says it is a charger in4 places?

[mike4947]

Quote from the advertising blurb you posted: "This is not a trickle charger."

and "Float Charger" means it will maintain a fully charged battery. A float charge is one that makes up for the loss over time than any battery will experience.

[Billy Bob]

Hi everyone. New here and to PU camping but I have maintained my boat batteries for 20 years. The newest charging systems for boats and I can't see why it wouldn't be GREAT for campers is a on-board charger. It is always hooked up to your batteries and you just plug it in ANYTIME. You could mount it OUTSIDE near the battery. Here are few to choose from.

http://www.cabelas.com/cabelas/en/templates/links/link.jsp?id=0019015&type=pod&cmCat=catfeatboat

[Broms]

I have trouble with my battery holding a charge all of the time.  I store mine in the basement and charge it once a month for the winter.  During the season, I disconnect the Pos cable so the Propane Detector will not drain it.  I then give it a charge either the night before or morning of depending on time of departure.  It just seems to die within a very short period of time.  This is also the second battery (I replaced the original with a DieHard Marine/RV Battery Deep Cycle.

[tlhdoc]

Broms what do you charge your battery with?  

[wavery]

I have trouble with my battery holding a charge all of the time.  I store mine in the basement and charge it once a month for the winter.  During the season, I disconnect the Pos cable so the Propane Detector will not drain it.  I then give it a charge either the night before or morning of depending on time of departure.  It just seems to die within a very short period of time.  This is also the second battery (I replaced the original with a DieHard Marine/RV Battery Deep Cycle.

You should check the electrolyte level with a hydrometer to see if you have a bad cell.
http://www.rpc.com.au/reindex.html?http://www.rpc.com.au/products/batteries/accessories/hydrometer/hydrometer_faq.html

If you have one cell that is marginal, it will constantly draw the good cells down.