Trickle battery charger

[tstex]

Hello to all,

I have 2-3 tractors & ATV's that periodically have weak batteries. My brother uses trickle battery chargers. I was seeking your advice on makes & models that work well and aren't trash in x yrs.

These are covered sheds, but not climate controlled for temp or humidity, but protected from direct rain & winds.
Any soecisl requirements or cautionary measures would be greatly appreciated.

Thank you
tstex

 

[Quaffer]

I have had trickle chargers/maintainers boil batteries even though they should never do that. So I use a combination of timers and trickle chargers.

 

[bmaverick]

I have had trickle chargers/maintainers boil batteries even though they should never do that. So I use a combination of timers and trickle chargers.

Exactly. Timers on for 1-hr per day, sometime in the afternoon when it should be the warmest part of the day in the winter.

I would chime it, also have the unit plugged into a GFCI outlet.

 

[tstex]

Obviously they should not boil any batteries, but i get what your saying. Do you remember that brand so I'll avoid or was that only one time it cooked the battery?

Currently, i run long Ex cord & charger to recharge my JD Gator's battery when it's too low to start engine. Looking for a more steady source? I also might not drive my combustion-based engines for 2-4 wks. I have power at each of my 11 sheds and can add a std 120V outlet if needed.

Thanks agsin

 

[tstex]

Thanks maverick.

What do you mean by "chime it"?

 

[bmaverick]

Obviously they should not boil any batteries, but i get what your saying. Do you remember that brand so I'll avoid or was that only one time it cooked the battery?

Currently, i run long Ex cord & charger to recharge my JD Gator's battery when it's too low to start engine. Looking for a more steady source? I also might not drive my combustion-based engines for 2-4 wks. I have power at each of my 11 sheds and can add a std 120V outlet if needed.

Thanks agsin

Many of the old school units with transformers will overboil the batter. Those do not have smart technology.

 

[mrmikey]

I used to swear by Schumacher maintainers but the latest one I bought boiled a new AGM battery dry on my bike. They sent me a replacement that tried to do the same thing but this time I had a volt/milliamp meter on it. Showing almost 16 V and over 1A on a totally charged new battery, you could hear it and smell it. I wrote them complaining about it, all I got in return was the sound of crickets so never again Schumacher.
Saying that, I have 2 Schumachers that are over 10 years old and weigh a ton, compared to the new all electronic crap.
My go to now are Battery Tender brand so here's hoping they're better.

 

[tstex]

Thanks mrm, sorry your battery was fried.

When i fill my pool w hose, i always set my ph alarm..saved my butt many times. I'll do the same w any of these tools

 

[John0829]

I have had trickle chargers/maintainers boil batteries even though they should never do that. So I use a combination of timers and trickle chargers.

I had the same thing happen so now every maintainer is on a timer and all my batteries seem happy. Only have had one battery go bad since I started doing this and it was a 7 year old lawn mower battery that in years past I would be lucky to get 2 years out of.

 

[shooterdon]

I have had good luck with Battery Tender. I have a cheap $20 Wally World battery on a rider that is going on its eighth year.

I have one on the tractor, F250 work truck, Mule and ZT.