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Re: [TR] Battery troubles

To: "'DAVID MASSEY'" <dave1massey@cs.com>, <ryel@mac.com>, <dave@ranteer.com>
Subject: Re: [TR] Battery troubles
From: "Alex & Janet Thomson" <aljlthomson@charter.net>
Date: Fri, 16 Oct 2020 07:47:42 -0400
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ChargeTek has an interesting website =E2=80=93 Lots to be learned there. =
Same with NOCO.

=20

For testing batteries, I still prefer a carbon-pile load tester. Years =
ago, I had an Allyn 500 amp tester in my Ag shop at school that worked =
great. I don=E2=80=99t think they are around anymore so I bought a Solar =
brand unit when it was on sale at my local Napa dealer.

=20

https://cloreautomotive.com/product/1874/

=20

I think it was around $90.

=20

With 2 trucks, 3 cars, 3 garden tractors and 9 farm tractors, I have =
found using it helpful when diagnosing batteries, charging systems, etc.

=20

Alex Thomson

=20

From: Triumphs [mailto:triumphs-bounces@autox.team.net] On Behalf Of =
DAVID MASSEY
Sent: Thursday, October 15, 2020 3:56 PM
To: ryel@mac.com; dave@ranteer.com
Cc: triumphs@autox.team.net
Subject: Re: [TR] Battery troubles

=20

There are many different chargers available.  You can get a smart =
charger for $35 but I wouldn't trust it.  I bought one one a trip once =
(I was desperate) and it crapped out after a couple of months.  I have =
also bought some trickle chargers for around $10.  Don't know why. =20

=20

Over the years we have bought probably a thousand chargers from a =
company called Chargetek.  We've had one fail on us.  I don't know if =
they are available retail but the CT500 is bullet proof.  The only down =
side is it won't charge a dead battery.  It won't start charging if =
battery voltage is below 8 volts.

=20

Marinco chargers are available retail and quite popular with the boating =
set.  These are good chargers and I recommend them.

=20

I have a pair of CTEK 3300 model.  It works well but you have to select =
the battery type each time it is plugged in.  Since our chargers are =
buried in the unit we need a charger that will just start charging when =
it is plugged in.

=20

We are evaluating a charger from NOCO.  Too soon to offer a =
recommendation but it looks promising. =20

=20

Dave=20

=20

=20

-----Original Message-----
From: Rye Livingston <ryel@mac.com>
To: dave <dave@ranteer.com>
Cc: list Triumph <triumphs@autox.team.net>
Sent: Thu, Oct 15, 2020 1:28 pm
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.=20

=20

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.=20

=20

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/B0015PI7=
A4/ref=3Dsr_1_3?crid=3D3UHUBUZLSG9K3 =
<https://www.amazon.com/BA7-100-1200-Electronic-Battery-System/dp/B0015PI=
7A4/ref=3Dsr_1_3?crid=3D3UHUBUZLSG9K3&dchild=3D1&keywords=3Dsolar+battery=
+tester&qid=3D1602785609&sprefix=3Dsolar+battery+test,aps,852&sr=3D8-3&th=
=3D1> =
&dchild=3D1&keywords=3Dsolar%2Bbattery%2Btester&qid=3D1602785609&sprefix=3D=
solar%2Bbattery%2Btest%2Caps%2C852&sr=3D8-3&th=3D1

No idea why it has Solar in the name as it has nothing to do with solar. =
=20

=20

You don=E2=80=99t have to disconnect your battery.  Battery =
doesn=E2=80=99t 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=E2=80=99s 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=E2=80=99s rated for =
700 CCA, and it still has 620, which is why it still works great.

=20

Good luck,

=20

Rye Livingston

Activities Chairman

Triumph Travelers Sports Car Club

1960 Triumph TR3A

PH: 530-FIND-RYE

=20

=20

=20


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</o:shapelayout></xml><![endif]--></head><body lang=3DEN-US link=3Dblue =
vlink=3Dpurple><div class=3DWordSection1><p class=3DMsoNormal><span =
style=3D'font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:#1F497D'>ChargeTek has =
an interesting website =E2=80=93 Lots to be learned there. Same with =
NOCO.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=3DMsoNormal><span =
style=3D'font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:#1F497D'><o:p>&nbsp;</o=
:p></span></p><p class=3DMsoNormal><span =
style=3D'font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:#1F497D'>For testing =
batteries, I still prefer a carbon-pile load tester. Years ago, I had an =
Allyn 500 amp tester in my Ag shop at school that worked great. I =
don=E2=80=99t think they are around anymore so I bought a Solar brand =
unit when it was on sale at my local Napa =
dealer.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=3DMsoNormal><span =
style=3D'font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:#1F497D'><o:p>&nbsp;</o=
:p></span></p><p class=3DMsoNormal><span =
style=3D'font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:#1F497D'><a =
href=3D"https://cloreautomotive.com/product/1874/";>https://cloreautomotiv=
e.com/product/1874/</a><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=3DMsoNormal><span =
style=3D'font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:#1F497D'><o:p>&nbsp;</o=
:p></span></p><p class=3DMsoNormal><span =
style=3D'font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:#1F497D'>I think it =
was around $90.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=3DMsoNormal><span =
style=3D'font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:#1F497D'><o:p>&nbsp;</o=
:p></span></p><p class=3DMsoNormal><span =
style=3D'font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:#1F497D'>With 2 =
trucks, 3 cars, 3 garden tractors and 9 farm tractors, I have found =
using it helpful when diagnosing batteries, charging systems, =
etc.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=3DMsoNormal><span =
style=3D'font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:#1F497D'><o:p>&nbsp;</o=
:p></span></p><p class=3DMsoNormal><span =
style=3D'font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:#1F497D'>Alex =
Thomson<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=3DMsoNormal><span =
style=3D'font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:#1F497D'><o:p>&nbsp;</o=
:p></span></p><p class=3DMsoNormal><b><span =
style=3D'font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"'>From:</span>=
</b><span style=3D'font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"'> =
Triumphs [mailto:triumphs-bounces@autox.team.net] <b>On Behalf Of =
</b>DAVID MASSEY<br><b>Sent:</b> Thursday, October 15, 2020 3:56 =
PM<br><b>To:</b> ryel@mac.com; dave@ranteer.com<br><b>Cc:</b> =
triumphs@autox.team.net<br><b>Subject:</b> Re: [TR] Battery =
troubles<o:p></o:p></span></p><p =
class=3DMsoNormal><o:p>&nbsp;</o:p></p><div><div><p =
class=3DMsoNormal><span =
style=3D'font-family:"Arial","sans-serif";color:black'>There are many =
different chargers available.&nbsp; You can get a smart charger for $35 =
but I wouldn't trust it.&nbsp; I bought one one a trip once (I was =
desperate) and it crapped out after a couple of months.&nbsp; I have =
also bought some trickle chargers for around $10.&nbsp; Don't know =
why.&nbsp; <o:p></o:p></span></p></div><div><p class=3DMsoNormal><span =
style=3D'font-family:"Arial","sans-serif";color:black'><o:p>&nbsp;</o:p><=
/span></p></div><div><p class=3DMsoNormal><span =
style=3D'font-family:"Arial","sans-serif";color:black'>Over the years we =
have bought probably a thousand chargers from a company called =
Chargetek.&nbsp; We've had one fail on us.&nbsp; I don't know if they =
are available retail but the CT500 is bullet proof.&nbsp; The only down =
side is it won't charge a dead battery.&nbsp; It won't start charging if =
battery voltage is below 8 volts.<o:p></o:p></span></p></div><div><p =
class=3DMsoNormal><span =
style=3D'font-family:"Arial","sans-serif";color:black'><o:p>&nbsp;</o:p><=
/span></p></div><div><p class=3DMsoNormal><span =
style=3D'font-family:"Arial","sans-serif";color:black'>Marinco chargers =
are available retail and quite popular with the boating set.&nbsp; These =
are good chargers and I recommend =
them.<o:p></o:p></span></p></div><div><p class=3DMsoNormal><span =
style=3D'font-family:"Arial","sans-serif";color:black'><o:p>&nbsp;</o:p><=
/span></p></div><div><p class=3DMsoNormal><span =
style=3D'font-family:"Arial","sans-serif";color:black'>I have a pair of =
CTEK 3300 model.&nbsp; It works well but you have to select the battery =
type each time it is plugged in.&nbsp; Since our chargers are buried in =
the unit we need a charger that will just start charging when it is =
plugged in.<o:p></o:p></span></p></div><div><p class=3DMsoNormal><span =
style=3D'font-family:"Arial","sans-serif";color:black'><o:p>&nbsp;</o:p><=
/span></p></div><div><p class=3DMsoNormal><span =
style=3D'font-family:"Arial","sans-serif";color:black'>We are evaluating =
a charger from NOCO.&nbsp; Too soon to offer a recommendation but it =
looks promising.&nbsp; <o:p></o:p></span></p></div><div><p =
class=3DMsoNormal><span =
style=3D'font-family:"Arial","sans-serif";color:black'><o:p>&nbsp;</o:p><=
/span></p></div><div><p class=3DMsoNormal =
style=3D'margin-bottom:12.0pt'><span =
style=3D'font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif";color:black'>D=
ave </span><span =
style=3D'font-family:"Arial","sans-serif";color:black'><o:p></o:p></span>=
</p></div><div><p class=3DMsoNormal><span =
style=3D'font-family:"Arial","sans-serif";color:black'><o:p>&nbsp;</o:p><=
/span></p></div><div><p class=3DMsoNormal><span =
style=3D'font-family:"Arial","sans-serif";color:black'><o:p>&nbsp;</o:p><=
/span></p></div><div><p class=3DMsoNormal =
style=3D'margin-bottom:12.0pt'><span =
style=3D'font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif";color:black'>-=
----Original Message-----<br>From: Rye Livingston =
&lt;ryel@mac.com&gt;<br>To: dave &lt;dave@ranteer.com&gt;<br>Cc: list =
Triumph &lt;triumphs@autox.team.net&gt;<br>Sent: Thu, Oct 15, 2020 1:28 =
pm<br>Subject: Re: [TR] Battery troubles<o:p></o:p></span></p><div =
id=3Dyiv5049077277><div><p class=3DMsoNormal><span =
class=3Dyiv5049077277><span =
style=3D'font-size:10.5pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif";color:black'>T=
wo points. &nbsp;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. =
&nbsp;I was advised to plug it in for a week, 2 at the most, then =
disconnect if for a week or two. &nbsp;What a pain.</span></span><span =
style=3D'font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif";color:black'> =
<o:p></o:p></span></p><div><p class=3DMsoNormal><span =
style=3D'font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif";color:black'><=
o:p>&nbsp;</o:p></span></p></div><div><p class=3DMsoNormal><span =
class=3Dyiv5049077277><span =
style=3D'font-size:10.5pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif";color:black'>I=
n my Airstream trailer, which has a charging system when plugged in, to =
charge the deep cycle batteries. &nbsp;I learned the hard way that the =
unit that comes from the factory is crap and will cook the batteries. =
&nbsp;I upgraded to a model that will let me leave it plugged in for =
months to years, no problem.</span></span><span =
style=3D'font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif";color:black'> =
<o:p></o:p></span></p><div><p class=3DMsoNormal><span =
style=3D'font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif";color:black'><=
o:p>&nbsp;</o:p></span></p></div><div><p class=3DMsoNormal><span =
class=3Dyiv5049077277><span =
style=3D'font-size:10.5pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif";color:black'>S=
o back to changing and knowing the status of your battery, this handy =
tool is excellent. &nbsp;SOLAR BA7 <a =
href=3D"https://www.amazon.com/BA7-100-1200-Electronic-Battery-System/dp/=
B0015PI7A4/ref=3Dsr_1_3?crid=3D3UHUBUZLSG9K3&amp;dchild=3D1&amp;keywords=3D=
solar+battery+tester&amp;qid=3D1602785609&amp;sprefix=3Dsolar+battery+tes=
t,aps,852&amp;sr=3D8-3&amp;th=3D1" =
target=3D"_blank">https://www.amazon.com/BA7-100-1200-Electronic-Battery-=
System/dp/B0015PI7A4/ref=3Dsr_1_3?crid=3D3UHUBUZLSG9K3&amp;dchild=3D1&amp=
;keywords=3Dsolar%2Bbattery%2Btester&amp;qid=3D1602785609&amp;sprefix=3Ds=
olar%2Bbattery%2Btest%2Caps%2C852&amp;sr=3D8-3&amp;th=3D1</a></span></spa=
n><span =
style=3D'font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif";color:black'><=
o:p></o:p></span></p></div><div><p class=3DMsoNormal><span =
class=3Dyiv5049077277><span =
style=3D'font-size:10.5pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif";color:black'>N=
o idea why it has Solar in the name as it has nothing to do with solar. =
&nbsp;</span></span><span =
style=3D'font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif";color:black'><=
o:p></o:p></span></p></div><div><p class=3DMsoNormal><span =
style=3D'font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif";color:black'><=
o:p>&nbsp;</o:p></span></p></div><div><p class=3DMsoNormal><span =
class=3Dyiv5049077277><span =
style=3D'font-size:10.5pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif";color:black'>Y=
ou don=E2=80=99t have to disconnect your battery. &nbsp;Battery =
doesn=E2=80=99t need to be fully charged to test it. &nbsp;You just =
connect it and enter it what kind of battery it is and the Cold Cranking =
Amps it=E2=80=99s rated for, and it tells you the condition of the =
battery and how many CCA it still has. &nbsp;I was blown away when I =
tested a 5 year old Optima battery in my Triumph TR3, and I think =
it=E2=80=99s rated for 700 CCA, and it still has 620, which is why it =
still works great.</span></span><span =
style=3D'font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif";color:black'><=
o:p></o:p></span></p></div><div><p class=3DMsoNormal><span =
style=3D'font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif";color:black'><=
o:p>&nbsp;</o:p></span></p></div><div><p class=3DMsoNormal><span =
class=3Dyiv5049077277><span =
style=3D'font-size:10.5pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif";color:black'>G=
ood luck,</span></span><span =
style=3D'font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif";color:black'><=
o:p></o:p></span></p></div><div><p class=3DMsoNormal><span =
style=3D'font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif";color:black'><=
o:p>&nbsp;</o:p></span></p></div><div><div><p class=3DMsoNormal =
style=3D'background:white'><span class=3Dyiv5049077277><span =
style=3D'font-size:10.5pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif";color:black'>R=
ye Livingston</span></span><span =
style=3D'font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif";color:black'><=
o:p></o:p></span></p></div><div><p class=3DMsoNormal =
style=3D'background:white'><span class=3Dyiv5049077277><span =
style=3D'font-size:10.5pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif";color:black'>A=
ctivities Chairman</span></span><span =
style=3D'font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif";color:black'><=
o:p></o:p></span></p></div><div><p class=3DMsoNormal =
style=3D'background:white'><span class=3Dyiv5049077277><span =
style=3D'font-size:10.5pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif";color:black'>T=
riumph Travelers Sports Car Club</span></span><span =
style=3D'font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif";color:black'><=
o:p></o:p></span></p></div><div><p class=3DMsoNormal =
style=3D'background:white'><span class=3Dyiv5049077277><span =
style=3D'font-size:10.5pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif";color:black'>1=
960 Triumph TR3A</span></span><span =
style=3D'font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif";color:black'><=
o:p></o:p></span></p></div><div><p class=3DMsoNormal =
style=3D'background:white'><span class=3Dyiv5049077277><span =
style=3D'font-size:10.5pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif";color:black'>P=
H: 530-FIND-RYE</span></span><span =
style=3D'font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif";color:black'><=
o:p></o:p></span></p></div></div><div><p class=3DMsoNormal><span =
style=3D'font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif";color:black'><=
o:p>&nbsp;</o:p></span></p></div><div><p class=3DMsoNormal><span =
style=3D'font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif";color:black'><=
o:p>&nbsp;</o:p></span></p></div></div></div></div><p =
class=3DMsoNormal><span =
style=3D'font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif";color:black'><=
o:p>&nbsp;</o:p></span></p></div></div></div></body></html>
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