I drive my pick-em-up truck every few months.
So the battery is dead when I go to use it... like today :-(
I'm looking for recommendations for the _best_ (*) float charger I can
buy to just plug the truck into when it's parked.
(*) Cost no object.
...Jim Thompson
--
| James E.Thompson | mens |
| Analog Innovations | et |
| Analog/Mixed-Signal ASIC's and Discrete Systems | manus |
| San Tan Valley, AZ 85142 Skype: skypeanalog | |
| Voice:(480)460-2350 Fax: Available upon request | Brass Rat |
| E-mail Icon at http://www.analog-innovations.com | 1962 |
I love to cook with wine. Sometimes I even put it in the food.
OT: Lead Acid Float Charger
Started by ●March 30, 2016
Reply by ●March 30, 20162016-03-30
On Wednesday, March 30, 2016 at 1:07:29 PM UTC-7, Jim Thompson wrote:> I drive my pick-em-up truck every few months. > > So the battery is dead when I go to use it... like today :-( > > I'm looking for recommendations for the _best_ (*) float charger I can > buy to just plug the truck into when it's parked. > > (*) Cost no object.Then solar charger. Alternatively, measure the voltage and tap into the starter relay. Just start the engine once in a while.
Reply by ●March 30, 20162016-03-30
On Wed, 30 Mar 2016 13:07:21 -0700, Jim Thompson <To-Email-Use-The-Envelope-Icon@On-My-Web-Site.com> wrote:>I drive my pick-em-up truck every few months. > >So the battery is dead when I go to use it... like today :-( > >I'm looking for recommendations for the _best_ (*) float charger I can >buy to just plug the truck into when it's parked. > >(*) Cost no object. > > ...Jim ThompsonThe Battery tenders are popular. Not expensive either. <http://www.summitracing.com/parts/dtn-021-0123> Lowes has a 1.5 amp Shumacher <http://www.lowes.com/pd_595175-41462-XM1-5_1z0x524__?productId=50256403&pl=1&Ntt=charger> They both have good reviews. Smart chargers are another story. Cheers
Reply by ●March 30, 20162016-03-30
On Wed, 30 Mar 2016 16:23:13 -0400, Martin Riddle <martin_rid@verizon.net> wrote:>On Wed, 30 Mar 2016 13:07:21 -0700, Jim Thompson ><To-Email-Use-The-Envelope-Icon@On-My-Web-Site.com> wrote: > >>I drive my pick-em-up truck every few months. >> >>So the battery is dead when I go to use it... like today :-( >> >>I'm looking for recommendations for the _best_ (*) float charger I can >>buy to just plug the truck into when it's parked. >> >>(*) Cost no object. >> >> ...Jim Thompson > >The Battery tenders are popular. Not expensive either. ><http://www.summitracing.com/parts/dtn-021-0123> > >Lowes has a 1.5 amp Shumacher ><http://www.lowes.com/pd_595175-41462-XM1-5_1z0x524__?productId=50256403&pl=1&Ntt=charger> > > >They both have good reviews. > >Smart chargers are another story. > >CheersNow all I need is some kind of magnetic power plug that gracefully disconnects when I drive off >:-} ...Jim Thompson -- | James E.Thompson | mens | | Analog Innovations | et | | Analog/Mixed-Signal ASIC's and Discrete Systems | manus | | San Tan Valley, AZ 85142 Skype: Contacts Only | | | Voice:(480)460-2350 Fax: Available upon request | Brass Rat | | E-mail Icon at http://www.analog-innovations.com | 1962 | The touchstone of liberalism is intolerance
Reply by ●March 30, 20162016-03-30
On Wednesday, March 30, 2016 at 1:23:21 PM UTC-7, Martin Riddle wrote:> On Wed, 30 Mar 2016 13:07:21 -0700, Jim Thompson > <To-Email-Use-The-Envelope-Icon@On-My-Web-Site.com> wrote: > > >I drive my pick-em-up truck every few months. > > > >So the battery is dead when I go to use it... like today :-( > > > >I'm looking for recommendations for the _best_ (*) float charger I can > >buy to just plug the truck into when it's parked. > > > >(*) Cost no object. > > > > ...Jim Thompson > > The Battery tenders are popular. Not expensive either. > <http://www.summitracing.com/parts/dtn-021-0123> > > Lowes has a 1.5 amp Shumacher > <http://www.lowes.com/pd_595175-41462-XM1-5_1z0x524__?productId=50256403&pl=1&Ntt=charger> > > > They both have good reviews. > > Smart chargers are another story. > > CheersIn my case, no power (no AC charger) and in shaded area (no solar).
Reply by ●March 30, 20162016-03-30
I've used several of the cheap float chargers from Harbor Freight for over 30 years on various vehicles; trucks, lawn mowers, tractors, etc. Never had a failure on any of them. Never lost a battery (except due to age) either. http://www.harborfreight.com/automatic-battery-float-charger-42292.html I see that they have another "Deluxe" model http://www.harborfreight.com/12-volt-deluxe-battery-maintainer-and-float-charger-62813.html. Don't see what the Deluxe model does that the other model does, except cost more. Dave M Jim Thompson wrote:> I drive my pick-em-up truck every few months. > > So the battery is dead when I go to use it... like today :-( > > I'm looking for recommendations for the _best_ (*) float charger I can > buy to just plug the truck into when it's parked. > > (*) Cost no object. > > ...Jim Thompson >> James E.Thompson | mens | >> Analog Innovations | et | >> Analog/Mixed-Signal ASIC's and Discrete Systems | manus | >> San Tan Valley, AZ 85142 Skype: skypeanalog | | >> Voice:(480)460-2350 Fax: Available upon request | Brass Rat | >> E-mail Icon at http://www.analog-innovations.com | 1962 | > > I love to cook with wine. Sometimes I even put it in the food.
Reply by ●March 30, 20162016-03-30
In article <rjdofbhb1f0lknmaa6eec52995kdi7hm35@4ax.com>, Jim Thompson <To-Email-Use-The-Envelope-Icon@On-My-Web-Site.com> wrote:> Now all I need is some kind of magnetic power plug that gracefully > disconnects when I drive off >:-}I have a small charger keeping my Z28 topped up as that gets driven every couple of weeks. I have a 1/4" Audio Jack on the charger and a 1/4" Socket socket wired up just poking out at the side of the headlights. If i forget to unplug it, it just pops out. Mitch -- Terminal_Crazy Mitch - 1995 Z28 LT1 M6 terminal_crazy@sand-hill.freeserve.co.uk Lancashire England http://www.sand-hill.freeserve.co.uk/terminal_crazy/
Reply by ●March 30, 20162016-03-30
On Wed, 30 Mar 2016 13:27:23 -0700, Jim Thompson <To-Email-Use-The-Envelope-Icon@On-My-Web-Site.com> wrote:>On Wed, 30 Mar 2016 16:23:13 -0400, Martin Riddle ><martin_rid@verizon.net> wrote: > >>On Wed, 30 Mar 2016 13:07:21 -0700, Jim Thompson >><To-Email-Use-The-Envelope-Icon@On-My-Web-Site.com> wrote: >> >>>I drive my pick-em-up truck every few months. >>> >>>So the battery is dead when I go to use it... like today :-( >>> >>>I'm looking for recommendations for the _best_ (*) float charger I can >>>buy to just plug the truck into when it's parked. >>> >>>(*) Cost no object. >>> >>> ...Jim Thompson >> >>The Battery tenders are popular. Not expensive either. >><http://www.summitracing.com/parts/dtn-021-0123> >> >>Lowes has a 1.5 amp Shumacher >><http://www.lowes.com/pd_595175-41462-XM1-5_1z0x524__?productId=50256403&pl=1&Ntt=charger> >> >> >>They both have good reviews. >> >>Smart chargers are another story. >> >>Cheers > >Now all I need is some kind of magnetic power plug that gracefully >disconnects when I drive off >:-} > > ...Jim ThompsonHow about those cheap trailer connectors, 2 or 4 pins, a fuse to the battery. Put one on the Tender and plug it in. They come apart faily easily. Cheers
Reply by ●March 30, 20162016-03-30
On Wed, 30 Mar 2016 13:07:21 -0700, Jim Thompson wrote:> I drive my pick-em-up truck every few months. > > So the battery is dead when I go to use it... like today :-( > > I'm looking for recommendations for the _best_ (*) float charger I can > buy to just plug the truck into when it's parked. > > (*) Cost no object. > > ...Jim ThompsonPick a day of the month, and on that day start it up and idle it for five or ten minutes. Problem solved. -- www.wescottdesign.com
Reply by ●March 30, 20162016-03-30
On Wednesday, March 30, 2016 at 4:36:09 PM UTC-4, Dave M wrote:> I've used several of the cheap float chargers from Harbor Freight for over > 30 years on various vehicles; trucks, lawn mowers, tractors, etc. Never had > a failure on any of them. > > Dave MThey are a float charger. Just a regulated power supply good for about an amp. The voltage is about 12.5 volts. I have one of the garden tractor. Can check the exact voltage if you want it. But Harbor Freight almost always have them on sale for about 6 bucks. Dan
