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@autox.team.net] On Behalf Of Bob Spidell
Sent: Thursday, January 14, 2021 11:24 AM
To: healeys@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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