CNH battery ROCKS!!

[barbqranch]

The problem is most "trickle chargers" are just dumb transformers with a diode to turn it into DC. The ones that can truly maintain a battery cost more, although the difference is coming down.

 

[SPYDERLK]

I respectfully disagree with both points. The batteries I mentioned in my previous post, 6 & 8 yrs old, never see a charger during the winter months.

LA batteries love to be on a charger full time IF the charger is at the correct voltage for float charging.

Not overwinter. Danica may be storing that new battery for years. Wouldnt pay to forget about it either on or off a charger. ... Yes, a float charger would probably work, but its performance would have to be verified by measurements made on the battery for a couple weeks to assure it was not providing high ripple peaks superimposed on the rectified 13.4 or so measured RMS voltage. The battery has to rise to these peaks to stop charging -- sometimes 15 or 16V. The inherent problem with trickle is you are going to assume you can forget about it. An incidental charging regimen is not something you would assume was happening if you didnt make a point of doing it. And if you do it the battery will last 10 or 20 yrs in "storage". Timing is not even critical. Overnight with a 3A charger every 2 to 6 months and checking electrolyte once a year would be fine. Plenty of opportunity to do it when you think of it.
larry

 

[jimmysisson]

This reminds me of when we keep leftover building materials so we'll "have them handy if we run short..." It's almost always better to return what is left than to keep it and have it degrade in storage. Same with this battery. You can then buy a fresh one when need arises. .02
Jim

 

[RickB]

This reminds me of when we keep leftover building materials so we'll "have them handy if we run short..." It's almost always better to return what is left than to keep it and have it degrade in storage. Same with this battery. You can then buy a fresh one when need arises. .02
Jim

What he said.