[Healeys] Trickle chargers

[Michael MacLean]

I use Battery Minder maintainers.  The one I use on the Healeys tells you the state of charge when you hook it up and goes into charge mode.  It automatically will convert to float charge when the battery is near full.  Of course it also has a desulfation
mode built in also.  Works great and you can leave it connected for long periods with no adverse effects other than a fully charged battery.  I use lead acid batteries because I can get reconditioned ones from the Interstate store for around $45.  They seem to last as long as a new one and the store is only 5 min away.  The other charger I use is also from the same manufacturer, but it is the newer solid state "light" model.  It is also smaller with less features, but it also sulfates and changes modes automatically as required to charge batteries.  I use the small one primarily on my Harley.  See below.




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  On Thu, Jan 14, 2021 at 2:35 PM, Bruce Steele<healeybruce at roadrunner.com> wrote:   I use Battery Tenders on my truck and Healey and are very happy with them.  Battery Tenders monitor and float the charge so prevent overcharging.  They come with either a plug or large alligator clip connection.  I've run a pigtail into the boot of the Healey (I've a BN7 so the battery is not in the boot), and I've a pigtail out the grill and under the rear bumper of my truck to make plugging them in convenient.  Very happy with them.

Bruce Steele
Brea, CA
1960 BN7

-----Original Message-----
From: Healeys [mailto:healeys-bounces at autox.team.net] On Behalf Of Bob Spidell
Sent: Thursday, January 14, 2021 11:24 AM
To: healeys at autox.team.net
Subject: Re: [Healeys] Trickle chargers

You don't want a trickle charger (unless you're willing to constantly monitor the battery's state of charge; otherwise they can overcharge and 'cook' your battery--ask me how I know ;). You want a 'smart charger.'

There was a time I would have recommended BatteryMinder, but the last one I bought was lighter than the 3 I'd bought previously; I think they went solid state over good ol' transformers, and it hasn't performed well compared to the older ones. I bought a BM (heh) for AGM (only) 12V batteries--I have AGMs in my BJ8 and some in yard/farm equipment--and it's well-made and performs well (in particular, the cheaper ones have flimsy connectors that often get chewed-up due to arcing). BatteryTender is the main competition; I haven't used any but haven't seen any negative comments on them. Harbor Freight sells one but, again, I have no experience with it:

https://www.harborfreight.com/4-amp-fully-automatic-microprocessor-controlled-battery-chargermaintainer-63350.html

A trickle charger won't turn itself off; the good tenders monitor the voltage closely and maintain a 'float' charge; some also have desulfation capability which can sometimes resurrect a 'dead' battery:

https://www.upsbatterycenter.com/blog/battery-desulfation/

There are no 'cons' to using a good smart charger--except that you have to remember to hook them up--used regularly they can extend the life and usefulness of lead-acid batteries.

Bob


On 1/14/2021 10:20 AM, Fred Wescoe wrote:
> Listers,
>
> What is the thinking on the best trickle charger to invest in? Pros 
> and cons on using one?
>
>
> Fred
>
> 66 BJ 8
>

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