Trickle chargers
#3
Race Director
Maybe you're referring to a float maintenance charger rather than a "trickle" charger?
A float maintenance charger will slowly charge your battery up to optimum, then goes into a "sleep" mode. They're safe to leave connected to your battery indefinitely as their electronics have fail safes to prevent over charging, safe against accidental reverse polarity connection, etc. They come with alligator clip connections or ring tail connections.
If so, the two most popular are BATTERY TENDER PLUS (by DELTRAN CORP.) which inputs only 1.25amps. It's safe for a standard wet cell or OPTIMA type battery. I've been using one of these since '95.
Or, the other popular product is the CTEK US3300 which is a more high tech product from Europe. It has dual inputs of 0.8 or 3.3amps.
A float maintenance charger will slowly charge your battery up to optimum, then goes into a "sleep" mode. They're safe to leave connected to your battery indefinitely as their electronics have fail safes to prevent over charging, safe against accidental reverse polarity connection, etc. They come with alligator clip connections or ring tail connections.
If so, the two most popular are BATTERY TENDER PLUS (by DELTRAN CORP.) which inputs only 1.25amps. It's safe for a standard wet cell or OPTIMA type battery. I've been using one of these since '95.
Or, the other popular product is the CTEK US3300 which is a more high tech product from Europe. It has dual inputs of 0.8 or 3.3amps.
Last edited by hotwheels57; 04-18-2011 at 06:51 PM.
#5
Team Owner
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CTEK MULTI US 3300
#6
Le Mans Master
Member Since: Feb 2003
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I had an extra Chicago Electric unit I paid less than $20 for at Harbor Freight. Winter had just arrived so I thought, "what the Hell, the battery is 7 years old, I have nothing to loose." I changed from loops to clips for easy engress and on it went.
Still keep it on there between drives, no problems, no issues, OE gell battery still going strong.
Still keep it on there between drives, no problems, no issues, OE gell battery still going strong.
#8
Burning Brakes
I have 8 Battery Tenders: driveway gate opener battery, autocross Miata (5# motorcycle battery), track Miata, Z06 for when I'm in FL, Lexus at FL condo for when I'm in TX, spare autocross Miata battery, spare track Miata battery, one for Silverado when I'm in FL.
Tried other brands and stuff died. Especially a pain when the gate opener battery croaks when it's less than a year old.
get Battery Tender brand suited to your amp needs
Tried other brands and stuff died. Especially a pain when the gate opener battery croaks when it's less than a year old.
get Battery Tender brand suited to your amp needs
#9
Race Director
#17
Racer
I use CTEK's on all my vehicles.. motorhome, motorcycles, and corvettes... no issues with them. I used to use one from Sears and had it burn up a battery years ago. Switched to CTEK and haven't had any issues.
#20
Melting Slicks
Member Since: Dec 2003
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I had an extra Chicago Electric unit I paid less than $20 for at Harbor Freight. Winter had just arrived so I thought, "what the Hell, the battery is 7 years old, I have nothing to loose." I changed from loops to clips for easy engress and on it went.
Still keep it on there between drives, no problems, no issues, OE gell battery still going strong.
Still keep it on there between drives, no problems, no issues, OE gell battery still going strong.
When I lived in Michigan I'd hook it up when the first snow and toss on the car cover and leave it till we had a good rain in the spring to clear the salt off the roads.
I still use in here in Fl. when the car doesn't get started for 4-5 days.