[TR] Battery charging

Fri Dec 25 18:53:47 MST 2020

Prior comment...mentioned the Optima battery... Odesseys are my pref. 
AGMs are the only way to go when not used regularly/seasonally.
Yes, they are more expensive. I've had one running for over 11 years 
now. THAT particular battery has also seen at least three totla 
discharges to where the starter wouldn't even click, and it still holds 
a charge to this day.

Lead acid (wet plate) batteries have a self discharge rate NOT designed 
for non-repetitive regular use. AGMs are closer to 'storage' batteries 
with a much higher current destiny and MUCH lower self discharge rate.
anyway.... to the point.....  if you fully charge an AGM battery, and 
disconnect it from the car electronics. You should be able to go a year 
or two without starting or charging and the car will start without issue.
BTDT for years now.  One of my cars hadn't been started (let alone 
uncovered) for nearly 3 years.  The Odessey battery (a 925 size) was 
still sitting at 12.4V and the car started without issue.

Ditto on the float charger comments.  BUT.... They CAN be left on but 
NOT when you have the rest of the car still connected.  The Juniors are 
trash. They see that 'trickle load' of the car, as a need to charge the 
battery.
Get a full tender or better yet a newer style digitally controlled tender.

jfft

ptegler

On 12/25/2020 7:11 PM, Jim Henningsen wrote:
> I have had same issues with battery tender jr.  They cook batteries if 
> left on too long. You’d think a company would figure this stuff out.
> Jim Henningsen
>
>> On Dec 25, 2020, at 7:00 PM, Rye Livingston <ryel at mac.com> wrote:
>>
>>  For what it’s worth, here is an opinion from to experts I was 
>> surprised to hear.  One is a Porsche mechanic who’s been in the 
>> business for 30+ years.  The Interstate battery had died and even 
>> pumped out some white power at the end, out a breather tube from the 
>> battery.  I cleaned it all up well, worried about battery acid in the 
>> front truck.  I went to the shop, he’s an Interstate distributor as 
>> well, and bought a new battery and told him what happened, and that 
>> I’d had the battery connected to a Battery Tender Jr.  He told me 
>> that even that brand, which is good, is really not good to leave on 
>> all the time, and it will cook the battery.  He recommends putting it 
>> on for a week or two, then disconnecting for a week or two, and 
>> repeat.  Well that’s a pain.
>>
>> Then in my Airstream trailer which has two 12 volt deep cycle 
>> batteries, I’ve read that the power converter that comes with the 
>> trailer also isn’t designed to leave plugged in all the time and it 
>> will cook the batteries, which did happen.  I tried using a Battery 
>> Tender Jr on that but it couldn’t deal with 2 batteries.  I was then 
>> told about an upgrade for the Airsteam power converter on Amazon, 
>> about $200 or so, which I installed and it does manage the float and 
>> it can be left plugged in for months and months no problem.
>>
>> So be careful with Battery Tenders.  I have two Battery Tender Jrs 
>> and four Die Hard battery tenders for multiple cars, Kubota tractor 
>> and a boat.  Just be careful how long you leave them plugged in and 
>> check the water level if it’s not a gel battery.  I have an Optima in 
>> my Triumph and Kubota.
>>
>> Good luck,
>>
>> Rye
>>
>>> On Dec 25, 2020, at 2:21 PM, Alex & Janet Thomson 
>>> <aljlthomson at charter.net <mailto:aljlthomson at charter.net>> wrote:
>>>
>>> Are the batteries still connected to their cars? Maybe there is a 
>>> slight draw on the TR6. Our TR6 took the whole summer off because it 
>>> needs a new wiring harness. There were some wires that had let the 
>>> smoke out! After I drove it into winter storage, I disconnected the 
>>> ground cable and noticed that there was a tiny spark! Something is 
>>> leaking current. Another project to do!
>>> Alex Thomson
>>> *From:*Triumphs [mailto:triumphs-bounces at autox.team.net 
>>> <mailto:triumphs-bounces at autox.team.net>]*On Behalf Of*David Friedlander
>>> *Sent:*Friday, December 25, 2020 3:18 PM
>>> *To:*New England Triumphs; TR3 Triumphs
>>> *Subject:*[TR] Battery charging
>>> Hey all ~ Merry Christmas ...!
>>> I have one float charger that serves both my TR3 that has an Optima 
>>> red top battery and my TR6 that has a Sears Die Hard. Seems like 
>>> even though each battery is only 2 -3 years old, the Die Hard seems 
>>> to need more frequent “topping up” than the Optima.... Interesting....
>>> Dave
>>> ** triumphs at autox.team.net <mailto:triumphs at autox.team.net> **
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>>
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-- 
Paul Tegler
ptegler at verizon.net  www.teglerizer.com

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