Build/modify your own battery float charger

[cropdusting]

Build a detachable battery float charger (battery tender). Watch this short how to video.

How to: make an inexpensive battery float charger | The Junkman&#39s Adventures on Blip

Or watch it here

Build an inexpensive battery tender that disconnects - The Junk man

 

[sandman2234]

I was hoping for how to build my own charger, not a quick disconnect from a Harbor Freight one...
I have some solar panels that I have been considering, but they are 8.2 volts, so if I double them, at 16.4, the voltage is a little high for a trickle charger. That is why I am looking for a "build it yourself" charger.
David from jax

 

[chopped]

I ddi similiar to this with the connector and plug in the tractor now. its a better way to attach and un attach..Just have to remember not to drive away when its plugged in..

 

[sandman2234]

If you make the connection the weak link, and you drive away without unplugging it, then the connection is where it splits. One good way to do that is by putting a safety wire restrainer, allowing the safety wire to take the tug instead the electrical wires taking abuse. If both ends have safety wire restraints, then the weak point is the connection where you want it to come unplugged anyway. However, I don't propose that you use it as a regular way on unplugging the charger, just a safety measure for the times you forget.
David from jax

 

[chad22]

Just have to remember not to drive away when its plugged in..

:laughing: I was charging the battery up a few months ago on my towable backhoe and totally forgotten I had the charger hooked up. It was still plugged in and everything. I ended up dragging it through the yard and only noticed it still hooked to the battery when I hopped on the backhoe to do some digging. lol

It didn't hurt the charger one bit. Even when I backed the hoe into place. I don't know how I avoided running the charger over. It just unplugged it from the extension cord I was using.

Chad

 

[SPIKER]

Ive wiped out about 3 of those HF float chargers. Tend to leave them hooked up onto the tractor and back up quickly crushed one under the wheel pulled wires all apart on 2 others as it got wrapped around the ag tire...

There is very little to one of those chargers I have dissected them using the tractor I think I have about 6 of them laying around now some in-use for winter others not used at the moment.

Mark

 

[chopped]

the HF charger weak link is the clamps. I put the aligator clips on first and make sure the red light comes on. then plug to 110..Its sometiems hard to get a good solid connection with the clips. Of cource with this form of connector it eliminates that problem..

 

[toy]

I did something like that except I hooked up a cigarette power point on my side by side and my power trac and I hooked up the male receptical to the leads of the charger. Now when I get done with my equipment I plug up the batterie charger to the power point on my machine and when I see the red light I plug it into 110 volt outlet. I have it so that the cord that goes to the charger is laid across the seat or in the way of mounting the machine and that always reminds me to unplug it. Sometimes I forget to plug it in though, but usually catch it within a few days works good for me. The power point in the machines is helpful for other uses, the side by side now has two power points.

 

[chopped]

Ive had good luck with thes HF el cheapos. My friend claimed that his killed the snowmobile battery but I suspect that it probly had a bad connection.It doent take much to get a bad connection on th alligator ends even if you have a connection initially..So I disregard what he claimed.If he indeed had bad luck with them why would he be asking me to get more when I place an order?lol

 

[fixit]

I can't believe he went to the trouble to make that video

And then showed us how to twist and tape wires together if your going to do it at least do it right