Trickle Charger...

[BCBSLICK]

I have a 2670 and I was wondering if anyone uses a trickle charger on their tractor during the winter months?...

Is it O.K. to let it on all winter?...

Thanks--BCBSLICK...

 

[zoltanthegypsy]

I wouldn't personally use a trickle charger. I use these full-featured Deltran chargers on everything to keep all my equipment batteries in shape. They don't constantly charge the way a trickle charger does. They actually monitor battery state and charge as needed. I leave them connected to my tractors, boat, idle cars, and generator all year long.

Amazon.com: Battery Tender 022-0150-DL-WH Waterproof 800 Battery Charger: Automotive

Z.

 

[amigauser]

Yep like the other poster I like the Battery Tender brand and Amazon seems to have the best price. I have a few of them all the same model below and plugged into a variety of gas and diesel powered equipment.

This is the one I use.
Amazon.com: Battery Tender 021-0123 Battery Tender Junior 12V Battery Charger: Automotive

 

[amigauser]

I use the battery tender year round on my Kubota but only in the colder months on my ZTR, motorcycles and equipment not used in the cold months. I think it helps the battery to last as long as possible and having a topped off battery is easier to start also. I also gave one to my parents who keep it plugged into their car in Vermont when they are in Florida for the winter

 

[sandyc]

Use battery tenders on all my equipment

Sent from my iPhone using TractorByNet

 

[murphy1244]

I use Genius Charger with tender. Genius Battery Chargers | Car, Boat, Motorcycle, Auto & On-Board

 

[HEC]

I wouldn't personally use a trickle charger. I use these full-featured Deltran chargers on everything to keep all my equipment batteries in shape. They don't constantly charge the way a trickle charger does. They actually monitor battery state and charge as needed. I leave them connected to my tractors, boat, idle cars, and generator all year long.

Amazon.com: Battery Tender 022-0150-DL-WH Waterproof 800 Battery Charger: Automotive

Z.

View attachment 398367[/QUOTE

It's always amazing how free shiping is always 2 or $3 more than the price of the item you want .

 

[BCBSLICK]

Thanks All...

Looks like on of those Battery Tenders is in my near future...

Do you just hook to the battery terminals without disconnecting anything?...

Then remove when ready to start the tractor?...

BCBSLICK

 

[murphy1244]

On my Genius I hook up a set of leads that stay on the battery so when I charge I just plug in the connector.

 

[zoltanthegypsy]

The tender DC cable has a connector and fuse in-line. They come with two different ends: Those clamps for a quick connect, and a set of rings for a more permanent installation - but you can still unplug the cable in the middle when using the machine. There's a nice little dust cap that covers the end of the cable when unplugged.

For my more-or-less permanent uses, I use the rings. They go under the battery terminal clamp bolts or nuts and stay attached.

Z

.

 

[Garandman]

Thanks All...

Looks like on of those Battery Tenders is in my near future...

Do you just hook to the battery terminals without disconnecting anything?...

Then remove when ready to start the tractor?...

BCBSLICK

They come with clips, or a cable that has battery connectors on one end and an SAE connector on the other. You live the "pigtail" in place and unplug it from the charger when in use.

I have them on three motorcycles, two snowmobiles, a generator and the tractor.

 

[Walkin Horse]

I have 2 questions. I have a trickle charger but the part hooked to the battery melted on a hot exhaust on my bike. Is there a way to tell which is hot and which is ground coming out of the charger itself. I could cut the plug and put clips on it.

Second question is. I'm thinking about bringing in all the batteries that don't get used during the winter. ZT motorcycles backhoe generator. I could keep them in the heated house garage on a shelf. Keep the char hers hooked up and rotate them. Would it be worthwhile.

 

[Garandman]

Harbor Freight has a multimeter for $10 and gives them away free with purchase at times. That will tell you +/-.

I've done what you talk about: put a reminder on my calendar and monthly I went out and charged each of the batteries.

 

[Msamt]

I do the genius as well, have the bikes on, the lawn tractor battery, and the DK.

 

[PILOON]

Just be sure you get INTELLIGENT chargers as they monitor and only put out charge when top up is needed.
For a while, locally, they sold 1 amp units that were a mere transformer with a diode ($10.) and those would always put out power and actually boiled out all my acid ruining my generator battery.

 

[Garandman]

Just be sure you get INTELLIGENT chargers as they monitor and only put out charge when top up is needed..

Before I had Battery Tenders, I used those on a timer that only turned them on for 10 minutes per day. I've done the same thing with larger automatic chargers in a pinch as well.

 

[DocDryden]

I use the Deltran Battery Tender Plus. Costco has for about $40.

 

[Msamt]

This one has an AGM / cold weather mode, which helps preserve the bikes expensive batteries, and is pretty cool looking in the garage, as if that mattered...

 

[JRobyn]

I've had perfectly good performance out of the inexpensive Harbor Freight trickle chargers on a variety of batteries. Sometimes on sale for $6 ea. I have about 5 of them.

- Jay

 

[445A]

I use a HF tender on the battery that runs my automatic chicken door opener. It's a U1, or lawn and garden mower battery. It runs a repurposed cordless drill motor about 40 seconds, 2 times a day. It seems to be quite happy with the work load, as the battery stays charged all the time and never even gets warm. These tenders are designed to keep the "surface charge" at 100% without overcharging/boiling. This extends battery life. It will be interesting to see if the tender or the battery gives up first, but this will probably be 5 or more years from now! :cool2: 445A