Do you charge your battery before winter?

[sixdogs]

They seem to last a lot longer that way. 12 years out of my 2005 B7800 battery.

 

[cat fever]

I have a couple battery tenders and charge every battery I have once per month. Who knows if it helps, I just had to replace my Harley battery only 3 years old.:confused3:

 

[Industrial Toys]

I just give every unused battery a trickle charge for a few days, every now and then through the winter. It doesn't take much. A good battery will keep its charge for a good while. I believe that constant charging isn't warranted.

 

[Slowpoke Slim]

I put my unused batteries (RV and riding mower) on a trickle charger battery tender all winter long. I remove them and put them on a shelf in the garage where they will spend the winter being "tended". I plan on using the Branson for snow removal on my place and my neighbor's, so doubt I'll need a tender on that one.

 

[George2615]

Tried to start my tractor a couple days ago. Tractor was outside all summer and saw limited use and I wanted to move it to the garage for the winter so it was ready to plow and blow snow with. I hadn't used it for about a month and outside temp was 19* F and tractor wouldn't start. Glow plugs warmed up but then just a click. Had to use the jump pack to start it. Being out in the cold and lack of use was too much for the battery. Once in the garage I greased all the fittings, checked the fluids, tire pressures and put the battery on a slow charge overnight with the charger/maintainer. The next day I tested it with a battery load tester and seems to be OK. If it doesn't start in a few days I'll have to pull and replace the battery. My Harley and Street Rod are put away for the winter and have battery tenders plugged in. My 3 trailer batteries have been put in the garage and also on tenders. The winter season has begun here.

 

[Industrial Toys]

People never speak much of hydrometers on here. Charge the battery, then take readings of specific gravity. The battery sounds weak if it lost it's charge that soon.

If it proves weak, don't look back, do yourself and the tractor a favor and buy a new battery.

 

[George2615]

People never speak much of hydrometers on here. Charge the battery, then take readings of specific gravity. The battery sounds weak if it lost it's charge that soon.

If it proves weak, don't look back, do yourself and the tractor a favor and buy a new battery.

I have a hydrometer however, no access to the battery to use it. On top of my battery is metal bracketry that hold the CPU mounted on top with a bunch of related wiring. No direct access to remove the battery caps to use the hydrometer. The load tester was my next best choice. If and when I have to remove all that stuff it will be to replace the battery, not to test the specific gravity but thanks for your input.

 

[sixdogs]

I replace with Optima batteries where possible so no way to check an AGM battery.

 

[oosik]

My OEM battery on my 2009 M6040 started appearing weak - fall 2016. Replaced it with the largest AGM battery ( Odyssey Group 31 - model-31M-PC2150 - 2150 CCA ) I could find and now keep an appropriate Battery Tender on it. Gel cell type battery lasted eleven years on previous tractor with appropriate "tender" used year round. When I need the tractor to plow my mile long gravel driveway - I don't want to be fooling around with a dead battery.

My mistake that I didn't have a battery tender on the OEM battery - probably would still be in good shape.

 

[square1]

Have one tender that gets rotated between (4) batteries on a somewhat regular (whenever I walk by the bench and notice the status light is green it gets moved to another battery) schedule.

 

[oosik]

Cat fever - had a Harley Low Rider for 18 years. Gave it to my son last year - I think Harley batteries die due to vibration. I DEFINITELY like your idea square 1. My situation however - I remove two and leave four in their respective vehicles. Sooooo.... I've got Deltran Battery Tenders connected all over - out there.

I know for a fact - in my case, the tenders do help extend battery life. I'm sure - some more than others.

 

[rbtjr]

FWIW, I have for years used only maintenance-free batteries and I leave a charger on each battery all the time, including through the winter when the tractor, etc., is used less than in other times during the year. This includes the tractor, two ZTR mowers, a Yamaha Viking, a deep-cycle battery in a boat, and a spare deep-cycle battery for general portable use. Since I started doing this, I have to replace batteries less frequently and I never worry about the batteries not holding a charge.

 

[sixdogs]

I've never used a battery tender type of charger but instead got a NOCO Genius charger recommended by many in the thread below from a couple years ago. It says it could also act as a tender type charger but I don't use it that way.

http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/projects/350239-looking-automatic-battery-charger-without.html

It works great and I charge everything as late in the fall as possible and sometimes in the spring or summer. Compared with the old style chargers that just cooked things to death, these are night and day different. I saved the old chargers but only for the Zombie Apocalypse when they might be needed. The difference between the old and new style chargers is amazing.

 

[fried1765]

FWIW, I have for years used only maintenance-free batteries and I leave a charger on each battery all the time, including through the winter when the tractor, etc., is used less than in other times during the year. This includes the tractor, two ZTR mowers, a Yamaha Viking, a deep-cycle battery in a boat, and a spare deep-cycle battery for general portable use. Since I started doing this, I have to replace batteries less frequently and I never worry about the batteries not holding a charge.

I have "Battery Tenders"/ "Battery Tender Jr.s", or "Battery Minders" on 13 different batteries while I am in Florida for the winter. When I return, all batteries are usually in good charged condition.
I can check battery condition with my Solar BA9 digital battery tester.

 

[Chris527]

I have a 2004 new Holland TC-30 with its original battery, I clean it and add distilled water every spring, I know I might be running on borrowed time but it still starts well and has zero issues, I do not trickle charge it .

 

[sixdogs]

I have a 2004 new Holland TC-30 with its original battery, I clean it and add distilled water every spring, I know I might be running on borrowed time but it still starts well and has zero issues, I do not trickle charge it .

Do you use it frequently to keep the battery charged?

 

[CincyFlyer]

Unlike most lithium batteries, lead-acid batteries last longest when kept "topped up".

 

[the old grind]

Unlike most lithium batteries, lead-acid batteries last longest when kept "topped up".

^^this! :thumbsup:

'Wet' cell batteries self discharge more quickly that sealed, and while SLA/AGM/Gel batteries are 'wet' types they do so at the lowest rate among them. Those in our cars/trucks tend to outlast our mowers, generators, and tractors because of time spent at less than full charge.

Even the cheapo HFT tricklers are enough to maintain because of 'floating circuit' design, which senses battery voltage and reduces charge as needed. No, they're not some ultimate, but are much better than 'better than nothing'.

A story:
My guy can't keep battery charged in his (later 'my') JD 1520 'gas'. Replaces alt with one-wire auto unit, then blames low tractor rpm for under-charging. I see HFT trickler's little red light on and am told it is working ... until I unplug it and see by the LED that it's dud and the battery was keeping it lit.

In addition to the wisdom shared by all above, use one of those HFT coupons to get the volt-ohmmeter and voltages we mention will add much to your perspective. btw, the higher the rate of charge, the longer it should 'soak' to stabilize voltage before an accurate reading can be taken. Good idea to soak before hydrometer test, too.

Another story:
A guy's car won't start and while fanning the accelerator pedal he cranks 'til it won't turn over at all. Then he gives up with, "I'll drive the Jimmy to work and fix the car 'this weekend' .. " or such. (new plugs & wires .. again ) Those handful of days spent so discharged might reduce the batteries life by as many months.

Rant:
Harley's big issue is/has been fitting so many 'Big Twins' with puny 16Ah batteries and trading kick start for extra/unneeded gears. IMO, 'Electric Foot' is for sissies. ... :laughing:

 

[Mace Canute]

I have a 2006 SUV that has the original battery in it. It's my summer vehicle only and is parked over winter and I keep a small battery tender hooked up to it while it sits so the electronics don't kill the battery; saves disconnecting it and having to reset all the stuff that I somehow always seem to forget how to do.

My main vehicle is a 1994 Chevy 3/4 ton 4x4 and due to the severe service I put it through in winter (rarely plugged in, very short trips, lots of electrical load) the battery doesn't charge as it should (even though the alternator is putting out a verified 14.5V) and very slowly becomes undercharged...cold batteries just do not accept a charge very well. Every now and then during the winter I will put a charger on it just to give the poor old thing a helping hand.

 

[Chris527]

Do you use it frequently to keep the battery charged?

Its gets it fair share, Just turned 1000hrs a few weeks ago, I consider that just being broken in. I would say it does not sit for more than 2 weeks at a time.