jerrybob
Super Member
GM uses a side post battery because it helps keep them from draining.
Why is that? How does that help?
GM uses a side post battery because it helps keep them from draining.
I had a BatteryMinder since 2007 and although I liked the features it offered at the time. It apparently was smarter than the operator. I think it was possessed. :smiley_aafz:I never knew if it was going to charge and maintain or reject the battery. BTW that same battery is still cranks like new a year later and I switched to the Battery Tender Plus with twice the warranty and half the price. It works just fine. I will say the customer service was good at Battery Minder place and I'd have it back in a couple of weeks but after the second time, I wanted to try something different.
GM uses a side post battery because it helps keep them from draining.
Why is that? How does that help?
BatteryMINDer Plus 12 Volt 1.3 Amp Battery Charger: BatteryMart.com
Sounds like you did not have the BatteryMINDER that was pull in, connect and then forget about to keep batteries desulfated and fully charged.
I have this and the fancy module but this one is hard to beat.
Battery Tender Plus 12 Volt 1.25 Amp Battery Charger: BatteryMart.com
This Battery Tender is similar.
Do not buy an 'el cheepo' as lots of them are simply a transformer and a single diode, sure it will make DC voltage but never stops and will boil out the acid.
You need one that has circuitry to sense voltage and stop charging when battery is at 12 volts and not simply continue pumping in 14-18 volts.
Price will be a guide, also they will have 2 or 3 diodes to indicate 'charged' 'charging'.
Generally the term 'intelligent' is one clue. List $ will probably be in the $35-$50. range for a proper one.
Cheepo's will be in the $10 range. (plus a new battery)
I looked for a teardown on the HF float charger but couldn't find one. I suspect that it has at least an internal voltage regulator to hold it around 13.2 volts because you can buy these regulators retail for less than a quarter.
They look like this: 100 Pcs 78L12 to 92 LM78L12 100mA 12V Voltage Regulator | eBay
I think that's partly true. With posts and terminals on top, there's a chance of crud accumulating across the top of the battery and creating a short circuit path. However, side posts also make for a lower profile. While I originally didn't like the design, it does seem to eliminate the corrosion mess you get with casually maintained top post batteries.