Trickle Charger...

[varmint]

Let me just parrot the last two posters, and say that I too have had HF battery tenders in use for maybe 10 years, with no problems. For a long time, I just clipped the tender leads to the battey terminals on my old tractor, which had the battery out where you could easily do that. My newer L3130 has its battery hidden in front of the radiator, behind the grill, so I got a marine grade waterproof outlet, wired it to the battery directly (with a fuse, of course) and just plug in the tender as needed. Quick and painless. The cheap ($5) tender must work, since the battery in my previous tractor was going on 12 years old when I sold the tractor, and I think it is still working?

 

[Bird]

I just hooked up my battery maintainer to the battery from my ZTR this morning.

Sears.com

 

[Threepoint]

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

Ditto this and other posters on the cheapo Harbor Freight "float" chargers. I have several of these: Automatic Battery Float Charger
I've used them for years, plugged in for months at a time, on several automotive and marine 12v batteries and never had a problem with overcharging. YMMV.

 

[Garandman]

I tried the HF one and while they are cheaper the cords are shorter and it didn't have the SAE connector. Went back to Deltran. YMMV.

 

[skyhook]

Battery blankets are also good, they keep your battery nice and warm and at peak performance.

 

[Gunny]

I've got two HF models and one Deltran. The Deltran is made a little heavier/better, but they all seem to do the job they're supposed to do. I replaced the alligator clips on the HF models and put on ring terminals, then added a polarized plug so I can plug/unplug them quickly.

Got an email from HF the other day and theirs are on sale for $5.99 right now.

 

[tk tom]

I like the CTEK chargers.

 

[repete]

I have the HF charger. I also have a 110V cord that terminates with a male connector at the FEL Right arm near the right of the "dash" area. I then have a drop cord (female end) in the tractor shed that hangs down where I park the tractor. When I get done using the tractor I plug it in from the drivers seat and when I next use it I unplug while in the drivers seat. Can't NOT see it when I get in the seat. Even if I accidentally forget to unplug it it simply disconnects as I back away.

 

[altoonapillarrock]

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.

I just bought a battery tender and this answer tells me how to hook it up. I will attach the ring connections to the battery and route the quick disconnect to the engine compartment.

Thanks, Peter

 

[BCBSLICK]

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.

I just bought a battery tender and this answer tells me how to hook it up. I will attach the ring connections to the battery and route the quick disconnect to the engine compartment.

Thanks, Peter

I am the OP and I have followed all the advise...

I purchased a Tender from Amazon as I was buying some Xmas stuff there also...

I used the rings and brought the connect end out under the screen at the back of the engine. (BX2670) It sort of distorted the screen cover, but not noticeable...

I will let it hooked and just plug and unplug it as need be...

Thanks...BCB

 

[E3A]

Amazon sells extra leads for about $6. I keep one on my Scag battery and one on my tractor.

 

[altoonapillarrock]

I am the OP and I have followed all the advise...

I purchased a Tender from Amazon as I was buying some Xmas stuff there also...

I used the rings and brought the connect end out under the screen at the back of the engine. (BX2670) It sort of distorted the screen cover, but not noticeable...

I will let it hooked and just plug and unplug it as need be...

Thanks...BCB

I let my plug come out over the screen that covers the battery. The screen is right in front of my knees. It's leaves a bit of a gap but seems to work. The battery tender is right in the way of me using the tractor so I shouldn't drive off with it still attached. I bought my battery tender at Costco. As soon as I opened the container they had a $10 off coupon.

Peter