Battery Longevity

[Industrial Toys]

Ave was showing a $40.00 12 volt compressor that he figures is made for something like $4.00 in China. The repeated markups are unbelievable! I hate paying a lot for very little substance. I used to volunteer at Habitat and see consumer pricing in a whole different light. All those tons of Home Depot returns that are pretty much worth scrap price. It's why they have no problem giving it away. It actually helps them, in that they don't have to dispose of it.

 

[def38]

Many mentions of the use of "trickle" chargers for keeping batteries charged. Trickle chargers will destroy a battery if left charging a battery for long periods. Trickle chargers do not provide the needed regulation to safely maintain a battery. Instead, a "Smart" battery charger that uses the correct charging profile will keep batteries fully charged and not overcharge and boil the battery dry. I have ten year old FLA batteries on my motorhome that are like new. When not in use, a smart battery charger is attached and left powered to keep the batteries fresh. many smart chargers will also resurrect a sulfated battery and return it to good condition. My BMW uses a smart charger to keep the 9 year old AGM battery healthy when not riding. My riding mower battery is 7 years old and never fails to start the mower. It too is maintained with a smart charger. Batteries are getting more expensive. Keep them alive with a smart charger.

 

[fried1765]

Ave was showing a $40.00 12 volt compressor that he figures is made for something like $4.00 in China. The repeated markups are unbelievable! I hate paying a lot for very little substance. I used to volunteer at Habitat and see consumer pricing in a whole different light. All those tons of Home Depot returns that are pretty much worth scrap price. It's why they have no problem giving it away. It actually helps them, in that they don't have to dispose of it.

During my working years I had many trips to China.
When bargaining on the local market, I considered the expected local price to be between 10-15% of the USA selling price.

 

[fried1765]

Many mentions of the use of "trickle" chargers for keeping batteries charged. Trickle chargers will destroy a battery if left charging a battery for long periods. Trickle chargers do not provide the needed regulation to safely maintain a battery. Instead, a "Smart" battery charger that uses the correct charging profile will keep batteries fully charged and not overcharge and boil the battery dry. I have ten year old FLA batteries on my motorhome that are like new. When not in use, a smart battery charger is attached and left powered to keep the batteries fresh. many smart chargers will also resurrect a sulfated battery and return it to good condition. My BMW uses a smart charger to keep the 9 year old AGM battery healthy when not riding. My riding mower battery is 7 years old and never fails to start the mower. It too is maintained with a smart charger. Batteries are getting more expensive. Keep them alive with a smart charger.

See my post #54

 

[goeduck]

My "standard" 2A/6A charger is probably 10 to 15 years old and does shut off when the battery reaches full voltage. I have an ancient one that I do not use that does not shut off. I call both of those trickle chargers because that is what they used to be called. They both only output a constant state voltage when charging and have no firmware in them as my maintainer/chargers do.

 

[def38]

Fred, your post is correct.

Some years ago, I discarded my trickle charger. It was responsible for destroying several FLA motorcycle batteries. I replaced my last Yuasa m/c battery with an Odyssey PC680 AGM that has never failed to start the BMW R1150GS. It is maintained with the recommended Odyssey charger. AGM batteries prefer a somewhat different charging profile from FLA or SLA batteries. AGMs prefer slightly higher charging voltage. There are modifications to the alternator's regulator (a diode) that increase the alternator's voltage output by about 0.3-0.4 VDC to accommodate the increased voltage but, I have not done the modification. It seems not to effected the AGM's life. Those who have done it report no adverse effects to the electrical system. Even incandescent lamps don't seem to mind the voltage increase.

 

[def38]

During my working years I had many trips to China.
When bargaining on the local market, I considered the expected local price to be between 10-15% of the USA selling price.

I too visited China often. Established a branch of our company in Shanghai. Used to buy Rolex watches and pearls in the local market. Over the years, one of the local merchants even grew to know me by my first name. Still have the Rolex watches....yes, they keep accurate time once a day!

The pearls however are still valued by many of my wife's fiends who received them as Christmas gifts.

Today, I would never return to China. I also avoid buying anything made there.

 

[Cougsfan]

I own several "battery maintainers" of various brands. They all work fine. All are "smart" in that they shut off when a "full charge" is achieved. What is different about them is that each has a different definition of a "full charge". One of the Battery Tender units has different settings for different styles of batteries, which I assume changes the definition of a "full charge". Being a creature of habit, I still refer to them as "trickle chargers". I have found that if you do that on this forum you will get chastised

 

[ultrarunner]

I guess one of my old 1960's chargers is a flood charger... it just pumps out 35 amps forever...

I loaned it to a neighbor who forgot and boiled his battery and the case too hot to touch.

 

[lman]

I guess one of my old 1960's chargers is a flood charger... it just pumps out 35 amps forever...

I loaned it to a neighbor who forgot and boiled his battery and the case too hot to touch.

I would retire that antique and put it in the local museum.