[Healeys] Trickle chargers

[Bob Spidell]

I don't think you can go wrong with BT, BM or Schumaker. Heck, the 
Harbor Freight model might be OK; I wouldn't be shocked if they all came 
from the same Chinese factory. Some will charge multiple batteries at a 
time.

Good summary of batteries and chargers here: 
https://itstillruns.com/difference-float-charger-trickle-charger-7646389.html

I got a good--read: expensive--SLA/AGM battery for my BJ8 after the 
second time I had to remove my gas tank and acid-neutralize my boot. My 
AGM charger looks just like your larger one, except it says 'AGM Only' 
on it. The other one is the newer, lighter one I have; guess I'll have 
to give it a second chance (could be my fault, I think I tried to charge 
an AGM with it).

I have an old-school trickle charger in good nick; anyone who wants it 
can stop by my mom's house (it's not worth shipping).


On 1/14/2021 3:12 PM, Michael MacLean wrote:
> 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.
>
> Sent from AT&T Yahoo Mail on Android 
> <https://go.onelink.me/107872968?pid=InProduct&c=Global_Internal_YGrowth_AndroidEmailSig__AndroidUsers&af_wl=ym&af_sub1=Internal&af_sub2=Global_YGrowth&af_sub3=EmailSignature>
>
>     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
>     <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 <mailto: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
>     <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/
>     <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
>     >
>

-------------- next part --------------
An HTML attachment was scrubbed...
URL: <http://autox.team.net/pipermail/healeys/attachments/20210114/eb060b0e/attachment.htm>