C5 Tech Corvette Tech/Performance: LS1 Corvette Technical Info, Internal Engine, External Engine, Tech Topics, Basic Tech, Maintenance, How to Remove & Replace
Sponsored by:
Sponsored by:

Trickle chargers

Old 04-18-2011, 05:17 PM
  #1  
TOPGUN9
Drifting
Thread Starter
 
TOPGUN9's Avatar
 
Member Since: Jun 2000
Location: Redwood City Ca
Posts: 1,754
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts

Default Trickle chargers

Those of you that use trickle chargers, what is your charger of choice?
Old 04-18-2011, 05:31 PM
  #2  
dcandel
Pro
 
dcandel's Avatar
 
Member Since: Jan 2005
Location: Endicott New York
Posts: 705
Received 4 Likes on 4 Posts
Oldtimer

Default

NAPA already mounted near the battery when I boutht the car last year - done by the previous owner. Worked great all winter.
Old 04-18-2011, 06:06 PM
  #3  
hotwheels57
Race Director
 
hotwheels57's Avatar
 
Member Since: Jan 2006
Location: Not on either liberal coast.
Posts: 10,554
Received 30 Likes on 23 Posts

Default

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.

Last edited by hotwheels57; 04-18-2011 at 06:51 PM.
Old 04-18-2011, 06:15 PM
  #4  
oldgoat99
Safety Car

 
oldgoat99's Avatar
 
Member Since: Nov 2010
Location: Spring Texas
Posts: 3,716
Received 9 Likes on 5 Posts

Default

I have two of these. 1 for the Vette and one for the mower. They work fine.
Old 04-18-2011, 06:23 PM
  #5  
Quick Silver Z
Team Owner

 
Quick Silver Z's Avatar
 
Member Since: Mar 2007
Location: Right Corner Pocket of Illinois
Posts: 32,253
Received 1,491 Likes on 1,005 Posts
No-IL Events Coordinator
2020 C6 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
2020 Corvette of the Year Finalist (appearance mods)
C6 of Year Winner (appearance mods) 2019
2018 C6 of Year Finalist
St. Jude Donor '12-'13-'14-'15-'16-'17-'18-'19-'20-'21-'22-'23-'24


Default

CTEK MULTI US 3300
Old 04-18-2011, 06:26 PM
  #6  
ALLEGRO
Le Mans Master
 
ALLEGRO's Avatar
 
Member Since: Feb 2003
Location: Memphis Tennessee
Posts: 6,670
Likes: 0
Received 135 Likes on 84 Posts

Default

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.

Old 04-18-2011, 06:54 PM
  #7  
DaBoz
Melting Slicks
 
DaBoz's Avatar
 
Member Since: May 2004
Location: Whidbey Island WA
Posts: 3,139
Received 1 Like on 1 Post

Default

I got this from Sear's... plugs into the cig lighter which for me is very easy. Cost around $24.00



Old 04-18-2011, 07:11 PM
  #8  
NealB
Burning Brakes
 
NealB's Avatar
 
Member Since: Nov 2001
Location: Not far from COTA
Posts: 1,115
Received 14 Likes on 11 Posts

Default

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
Old 04-18-2011, 07:31 PM
  #9  
Ikester
Race Director
 
Ikester's Avatar
 
Member Since: Mar 2001
Location: Whippany NJ
Posts: 11,356
Received 7 Likes on 6 Posts
CI 6-7-8-9 Veteran
St. Jude Donor '08-'09
NCM Sinkhole Donor

Default

Originally Posted by Quick Silver Z
CTEK MULTI US 3300
Best thing i did for my car for the winter! keeps battery well maintained in a safe way not just plain charging it!

I got mine from CF vendor C5BearsFAN
Old 04-18-2011, 08:30 PM
  #10  
vettenuts
Team Owner
 
vettenuts's Avatar
 
Member Since: Mar 1999
Location: At the beach in little Rhody
Posts: 22,024
Received 186 Likes on 169 Posts

Default

Two Deltran Battery Tenders went up in smoke and I will never buy another (threw my other two away). I now use a CTEK.
Old 04-19-2011, 07:00 PM
  #11  
sunchaser73
Racer
 
sunchaser73's Avatar
 
Member Since: Apr 2009
Location: Myrtle Beach SC
Posts: 488
Likes: 0
Received 1 Like on 1 Post
Default

CTEK MULTI US 3300 worth.every.penny
Old 04-19-2011, 07:35 PM
  #12  
JerzeyJoe
Burning Brakes
 
JerzeyJoe's Avatar
 
Member Since: Apr 2008
Location: North New Jersey
Posts: 922
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Default

I use the CTEK 3300. No problems so far.
Old 04-19-2011, 08:01 PM
  #13  
HiVoltge
Melting Slicks
 
HiVoltge's Avatar
 
Member Since: Jun 2007
Location: Toronto Ontario
Posts: 2,541
Received 5 Likes on 4 Posts
St. Jude Donor '08

Default

Originally Posted by JerzeyJoe
I use the CTEK 3300. No problems so far.
Old 04-19-2011, 11:05 PM
  #14  
Old Horsepower
Instructor
 
Old Horsepower's Avatar
 
Member Since: Jun 2010
Location: California
Posts: 228
Likes: 0
Received 2 Likes on 2 Posts
Default

I just use one that's for motorcycles. Very low power and shuts its self off when not needed. About $20.
Old 04-20-2011, 01:01 AM
  #15  
olbear1962
Safety Car
 
olbear1962's Avatar
 
Member Since: Mar 2009
Location: Pewaukee WI
Posts: 4,095
Received 41 Likes on 35 Posts

Default

Have CTEK US3300 for my cars in storage, no issues great product
Old 04-20-2011, 07:19 AM
  #16  
Ron C!
Safety Car
 
Ron C!'s Avatar
 
Member Since: Jan 2000
Location: Orlando FL
Posts: 3,828
Received 195 Likes on 153 Posts

Default

Originally Posted by Quick Silver Z
CTEK MULTI US 3300
Same here.
Old 04-20-2011, 11:14 AM
  #17  
melvingregory
Racer
 
melvingregory's Avatar
 
Member Since: Jun 2001
Location: Elizabethtown Kentucky
Posts: 260
Received 2 Likes on 2 Posts

Default

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.

Get notified of new replies

To Trickle chargers

Old 04-20-2011, 11:47 AM
  #18  
phil hunter
Pro
 
phil hunter's Avatar
 
Member Since: Jan 2006
Location: Temecula CA
Posts: 541
Likes: 0
Received 38 Likes on 33 Posts

Default

Have had a CTEK on my Vette for the last 10 years. No problems.

Phil
Old 04-20-2011, 12:06 PM
  #19  
DAV162
Drifting
 
DAV162's Avatar
 
Member Since: Jul 2008
Location: Colchester Connecticut
Posts: 1,341
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts

Default

Originally Posted by Quick Silver Z
CTEK MULTI US 3300
Old 04-20-2011, 12:22 PM
  #20  
corvettebob1
Melting Slicks

 
corvettebob1's Avatar
 
Member Since: Dec 2003
Location: Near Jacksonville Fl.
Posts: 3,314
Likes: 0
Received 12 Likes on 11 Posts

Default

Originally Posted by ALLEGRO
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.

Hey that looks exactly like my Schumacher I've had for 15 years and it still works great. (used it on my C4 first)
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.

Thread Tools
Search this Thread
Quick Reply: Trickle chargers



All times are GMT -4. The time now is 01:02 PM.