Mahindri trickle charger mods....

JerryK · Nov 30, 2017

Just finished changing over my fleet of Mahindri so I can hook up the trickle chargers without opening the hood all the time, or clamping the positive onto the starter lug on the 2555. Also get to use some of those cig lighter adapters that came with most of my Schumacher maintainers. First picture is of the old 5035, then the 2555, and finally my new little 1526....

frugalangler · Nov 30, 2017

I applaud your efforts, although for 12V trickle chargers it's not a big issue, but one should NEVER use a /plug/ on the powered side of a connection, if that were a high current capable charger that didn't have electronic protection from short circuits, if someone accidentally pulled the plug out of that socket, and it arc'd to something, it could be a potential fire hazard!!!!!!!!!

I do the same thing with all my battery enabled equipment, but I chose to use Anderson connectors (yes, they are overkill on a trickle charger, but...) with a fairly high current lead on the implement side so that should I need to connect a charger bigger than a trickle charger, the same connector will allow that. If you've got a fleet of any size, safety is a big concern, the loss of multiple units due to a fire could be devastating to a small business operation.

JerryK · Nov 30, 2017

Thanks for the concern, but as an old retired electrician, I think I am safe.... Every thing is fused, and the Shumachers won't turn on unless they sense a correct polarity when they are plug'd in. I used to blow the krap out of stuff with real M80's [ even fished a little as a kid with them ], lived thru two tours in Nam with everything physically intact, back fed many a house with a generator hooked up to a welder or dryer plug, played with matches, did not go blind, and other than being allergic to penicillin from too many jaunts to Saigon or Manila... am generally in pretty good condition... [ physically again ]

frugalangler · Nov 30, 2017

Agree on your part, the concern was more meant to those that DON'T know what the heck they are doing and take your idea and run wild with it. I to as well have done many things that are --- DO AS I SAY, NOT AS I DO --- and am here to tell the tales, but others may not be so adept and need some words of caution.

JerryK · Nov 30, 2017

frugalangler said:
Agree on your part, the concern was more meant to those that DON'T know what the heck they are doing and take your idea and run wild with it. I to as well have done many things that are --- DO AS I SAY, NOT AS I DO --- and am here to tell the tales, but others may not be so adept and need some words of caution.

I'm with you, Brother....!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[ you tie/tape a rock to the M80, light it, and drop it into the lake if you were wondering..... get a fish to float up once and awhile... ]

4get gto · Nov 30, 2017

JerryK said:
I'm with you, Brother....!!!!!!!!!!!!!! [ you tie/tape a rock to the M80, light it, and drop it into the lake if you were wondering..... get a fish to float up once and awhile... ]

Think you were kid all the neighbors talked about! :irked:the
he he :laughing:

Industrial Toys · Nov 30, 2017

Never been a fan of cigar lighter plugs. Poor connections and too many variables and no real standard it seems. Some of the worst junky ones I bought were the most expensive marine ones with a cap.

I like the two pole trailer style flat plug you see on some chargers. They are cheap and work well. I also found on some UPSs, they use Anderson connectors that are disposed of with the old batteries. I have quite the little collection.

JerryK · Dec 1, 2017

Sorry that you have had such bad luck with the normal 12v power outlets. I have been using them for years for phone charging, GPS units, and dash cams. Never had a problem with them. They do not hold up if you use them for an actual cigarette lighter. The heat and current is real hard on them, even the OEM units that come in cars. I quit smoking in '87, so all I use them for is low current stuff now.....

dickfoster · Dec 3, 2017

JerryK said:
Just finished changing over my fleet of Mahindri so I can hook up the trickle chargers without opening the hood all the time, or clamping the positive onto the starter lug on the 2555. Also get to use some of those cig lighter adapters that came with most of my Schumacher maintainers. First picture is of the old 5035, then the 2555, and finally my new little 1526....

I went the other way. I just mounted the charger under hood next to the battery and ran the AC cord out from under the hood and zip tied it into place up front. When I park the tractor, I plug it into an extension cord and walk away. Yeah, I've got more chargers than batteries and vehicles. No worries the charger doesn't mind the alternator.