I've got nothin' fancy; only standard NAPA Gold, Motorcraft lead/acid batteries; but I'm afraid I may be slowly loosing them to non-use over the 4-months of winter and minimal use the other 8 months. I don't want to be buying new batteries every 4-5 years...
I've got a decent standard transformer-type 12/6V, 2amp/10amp, Schumacher unit, and it seems to work fine. But I read a related article and now I've been thinking I should maybe step up to a 'smart charger'. Like this one: http://smartercharger.com/2012/01/new-c ... -features/
What do you guys do or have to keep your batteries alive for years?
What do you think of the 'smart chargers' -- are they worth the $$?
I bought the "smart" Schumacher for my agm's and am not happy with it. It will charge at excessive rates, then after several hours, shut down with a "battery bad" reading. Charging the same battery on a conventional charger has been successful. AGM manufacturer's state that limiting the charging voltage ( most state ~ 14v max) is required to assure battery life. The Schumacher was around $100.00 and is a lightweight p.o.s. IMO. Even the lens over the digital readout appears to be partially melted. If it were still in warranty, I'd take it back, but it was out of warranty prior to any serious usage.
If your charger has a float setting to avoid overcharging, I would just use that 2a setting for maintenance during non-use. I have a cheap B&D 2a charger that I hook up in series between 3-4 vehicles and just leave it connected while not used. It automatically shuts off to avoid overcharge; I don't know how well that circuit works on "gang" charging, but I've noticed no deterioration so far.
Paul
The Ford Orphanage Life's too short for boring vehicles! My quest to develop a universal solvent is held up by the lack of a storage container. Paul
I'm a little old skool with mine. This came out of my Dad's NAPA when he retired. It still works perfect and will even jump start my sons Twin Briggs. LOL!
Well, after more hemmin' & hawwin', I finally pulled the trigger on this and bought the CTEK 4.3 unit. $62 delivered.
The unit does just as I expected. I've cycled it through my many 'dormant' batteries and it has 'reconditioned' them all but one... the battery in my backup garden tractor was declared dead....unchargeable. I then took the charger to work and put it on a loose car battery there and after three days, it too was declared dead..as suspected..but now it's official.
I have 2 Sears Die Hard brand battery tenders.
1 has never been out of the box, other works great.
5 years now - no complaints.
I got these on sale - cheaper than the "Battery Tender" brand ones.
1964 F 100 - I am going to do "something" with it.......
I bought two batteries tenders from harbor freight 3 or 4 years ago for my harley and mower batteries. I got tired of replacing my harley battery every other year. They're cheap but seem to work fine. My harley battery is coming up on 6 years. So I'm satisfied.
I also have a couple of the CTEK chargers that have reconditioned a few batteries and kept some alive, like on the camp trailer when it's not in use. The "smart chargers" can pay for themselves pretty fast. I really like mine and all of the options available for them.
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