[TR] Battery troubles

Thu Oct 15 13:45:19 MDT 2020

We had an electric Hustler zero-turn mower for a while at a Nature Center that I work at. It was a donation so we didn’t complain – but… The supplied battery charger would boil the batteries out in a month or so. Re-watering the batteries (four group 31’s) every month was a real pain.

As John mentioned, Solar is an old name in chargers – I have a wheeled unit that’s suitable for 6 and 12 volt batteries with 4 levels of charge rate along with a timer. Like so many old companies, they are now part of another group, I believe.

I also have a LaMarche float charger that came from a standby generator – It’s only rated for about 5 amp but I can leave it on a small or big battery for months if I want. I’m sure new ones are not cheap!

https://www.lamarchemfg.com/

Alex Thomson

From: Triumphs [mailto:triumphs-bounces at autox.team.net] On Behalf Of Rye Livingston
Sent: Thursday, October 15, 2020 2:29 PM
To: dave
Cc: list Triumph
Subject: Re: [TR] Battery troubles

Two points.  I learned from my local mechanic that even the higher end Battery Tender Plus that is in the little metal box, will not maintain a battery, but will cook a battery when left on all the time.  I was advised to plug it in for a week, 2 at the most, then disconnect if for a week or two.  What a pain.

In my Airstream trailer, which has a charging system when plugged in, to charge the deep cycle batteries.  I learned the hard way that the unit that comes from the factory is crap and will cook the batteries.  I upgraded to a model that will let me leave it plugged in for months to years, no problem.

So back to changing and knowing the status of your battery, this handy tool is excellent.  SOLAR BA7 https://www.amazon.com/BA7-100-1200-Electronic-Battery-System/dp/B0015PI7A4/ref=sr_1_3?crid=3UHUBUZLSG9K3 <https://www.amazon.com/BA7-100-1200-Electronic-Battery-System/dp/B0015PI7A4/ref=sr_1_3?crid=3UHUBUZLSG9K3&dchild=1&keywords=solar+battery+tester&qid=1602785609&sprefix=solar+battery+test,aps,852&sr=8-3&th=1> &dchild=1&keywords=solar%2Bbattery%2Btester&qid=1602785609&sprefix=solar%2Bbattery%2Btest%2Caps%2C852&sr=8-3&th=1

No idea why it has Solar in the name as it has nothing to do with solar.  

You don’t have to disconnect your battery.  Battery doesn’t need to be fully charged to test it.  You just connect it and enter it what kind of battery it is and the Cold Cranking Amps it’s rated for, and it tells you the condition of the battery and how many CCA it still has.  I was blown away when I tested a 5 year old Optima battery in my Triumph TR3, and I think it’s rated for 700 CCA, and it still has 620, which is why it still works great.

Good luck,

Rye Livingston

Activities Chairman

Triumph Travelers Sports Car Club

1960 Triumph TR3A

PH: 530-FIND-RYE

On Oct 15, 2020, at 11:06 AM, dave <dave at ranteer.com> wrote:

Funny you should mention this.

I have a battery charger that I bought from Kmart (remember them) around 1978.  All steel construction with an analog gage in front.  It still works great.

I purchased a modern charger about 10 years ago and it lasted only a few years.

If you have a light timer, you can plug the charger into the timer and let it charge only an hour or so a day.  Old tech + old tech beats new tech!

From: Triumphs <triumphs-bounces at autox.team.net> On Behalf Of Chris Simo
Sent: Thursday, October 15, 2020 8:27 AM
To: list Triumph <triumphs at autox.team.net>
Subject: [TR] Battery troubles

My Tr4 hasn't gotten out at all this summer.   I put my new battery charger on it -  It's all electronic  vs my old one that just had a 3 position switch and an analog meter.

This new charger is quite fancy, it will tell you if the battery is connected backwards,  light a light with a bad battery, etc.  Trouble is I"m not sure I trust it.

I've had this thing tell me 4 batteries are bad.  I havent been driving my truck, my wife hasn't been driving her Z4,  and my mom's car battery showed bad as well....

I think I'm going to buy an old school charger and see what happens.  It's cheaper than buying one of the four batteries....

Or they just sat so long they died.....     Anyone have experience with those newer fancy chargers?  Any issues or concerns?

Thanks!

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