Optimas are AGM.
Battery Tender/Trickle Charger
- Thread starter Ted Summey
- Start date
Optimas are AGM.
Me?
I have 2 of these.SunForce Products Inc. - Battery Maintainers - 1.8 Watt Solar Battery Maintainer They put out 100-120 milliamps. I keep one of these on the BX and the other on my truck. The BX is in a storage shed without electricity, it is stuck in a window. I figure the solar panel will help offset what a computer drains on a vehicle.
I have a larger 5 watt. Shop Sunforce 5-Watt Solar Panel Battery Trickle Charger at Lowes.com I keep this one on my car.
Gem99ultra
Veteran Member
94Bullitt, re Optima batteries
Of course Optimas are AGM batteries. My bad. Thanks for the correction.
Of course Optimas are AGM batteries. My bad. Thanks for the correction.
Many low power consumer solar panels already do have a built in blocking diode (should be Schottky, for low loss), but it is worth verifying it is present when buying.
Without a blocking diode, most solar panels will present as a load to the battery when dark.
Esp. with small batteries, you probably want to stay at or below a 5 watt panel, unless you are going to use a solar voltage regulator to prevent overcharging the battery.
Modern vehicles have a ton of electronics on board, the current drain (over time) is not trivial.
Rgds, D.
Without a blocking diode, most solar panels will present as a load to the battery when dark.
Esp. with small batteries, you probably want to stay at or below a 5 watt panel, unless you are going to use a solar voltage regulator to prevent overcharging the battery.
Modern vehicles have a ton of electronics on board, the current drain (over time) is not trivial.
Rgds, D.
Last edited:
coobie
Super Member
- Joined
- Sep 19, 2004
- Messages
- 6,427
- Location
- S.Michigan
- Tractor
- Kubota RTV 1100c, JD 740,Kioti DK 40 with KL401 loader .
IMHO you bet there worth it.I use a battery tender on all of my equipment in the winter months here in michigan.I can get 7 years out of a battery useing the tenders verses 2-3 years without.coobie
OP
Ted Summey
Platinum Member
- Joined
- Feb 22, 2012
- Messages
- 729
- Location
- Germanton, NC
- Tractor
- Kubota MX5100F IH McCormick Farmall 140, Massey Ferguson 135
I am now convinced. It appears that the Battery Tender brand has the electronics to maintain the battery without damage. This I learned from some other reviews of the product. I'm thinking I need several of the devices - ATV, lawn mower, boat, and the Farmall (although it is a six volt it will be worth finding a float charger for it too). Batteries have gotten expensive and responsible disposal is important to me. By extending the life of the batteries I have it just seems like the right way to reduce consumption and items in the recycling stream. Plus the devices will pay for themselves in reducing my blood pressure alone
It will make sense to examine the various brands some of you TBNers have mentioned. Harbor Freight Schumacher, Deltran and others. Seems better to have several than try to manage the rotation- I do have a real job for the time being.
I appreciate all the responses!
It will make sense to examine the various brands some of you TBNers have mentioned. Harbor Freight Schumacher, Deltran and others. Seems better to have several than try to manage the rotation- I do have a real job for the time being.
I appreciate all the responses!
Hi Ted - A buddy of mine bought this Bosch charger very recently.
I don't think he has any classics around to test it on, but I noticed that it handles 6v too.
http://www.boschautoparts.com/Batteries/Pages/C3BatteryCharger.aspx#features
Rgds, D.
I don't think he has any classics around to test it on, but I noticed that it handles 6v too.
http://www.boschautoparts.com/Batteries/Pages/C3BatteryCharger.aspx#features
Rgds, D.
OP
Ted Summey
Platinum Member
- Joined
- Feb 22, 2012
- Messages
- 729
- Location
- Germanton, NC
- Tractor
- Kubota MX5100F IH McCormick Farmall 140, Massey Ferguson 135
3930Dave thanks that's good to know. Those six volt batteries are not cheap!