How Do I Keep My Battery Charged?

Reply Subscribe

Thread Tools

Search this Thread

Jan 24, 2003 | 09:56 AM

luvmy82

Thread Starter

Melting Slicks

Joined: May 2002

Posts: 2,218

Likes: 22

From: Knoxville Tennessee

St. Jude Donor '12

How Do I Keep My Battery Charged?

Because of the current frigid cold snap we have, I've been running the CE at least 2x a week to keep the battery from being sucked dry from the cold. (I store my car in a garage with an insulated door, BTW)

I don't use a trickle charge on the battery because when I bought my Vette last year, the guy that owned it used one all winter long. Well, come spring, the battery was as dead as a door nail (and it was only 2 years old) and I had to buy a new Delco battery (top of the line I might add) from my GM dealership.

I heard that trickle charges are not the way to go. So what I want to do to keep my battery charged during the winter is use a battery regulator.

I know that repeated starts and letting the engine idle while the battery charges isn't a good thing either.

From what I understand, you can buy a battery regulator that jolts the battery only when energy is needed to do so. Could you guys give me your opinion on where I can buy a battery regulator and what type of regulator I need for my CE? Thanks!

Jan 24, 2003 | 09:59 AM

Alwyn678

Team Owner

Joined: Jun 2001

Posts: 43,136

Likes: 155

From: Thomson Georgia

Re: How Do I Keep My Battery Charged? (luvmy82)

I am not sure.....Trickle charger is what I use on my bike.....however my battery stays charged even when it is just sitting in the garage...But I drive it usually once every two weeks

Jan 24, 2003 | 10:47 AM

CHEESERAL

Racer

Joined: Feb 1999

Posts: 369

Likes: 0

From: Garner NC

Re: How Do I Keep My Battery Charged? (Alwyn678)

Here's what I've been using since my last new batt died after 2 yrs. I've only been using this for about a year and a half, kept 2 12v batts charged and ready to go. (Vette and Model T) Works good so far. I guess I'll find out in a few more years if it's really good for the battery.
http://www.thebatterybarn.com/Charge...er/Minder.html

Jan 24, 2003 | 10:57 AM

tshort

Melting Slicks

Joined: Nov 2001

Posts: 2,659

Likes: 7

From: Katy (Houston) TX

CI 7-8 Veteran

Re: How Do I Keep My Battery Charged? (CHEESERAL)

I use one of those in-line disconnectors. It's a terminal you mount onto the positive side and you can disconnect the battery without having to loosen the cable and pull it off. It has helped even though I think the only thing pulling juice is the clock. Plus, I like because when I'm working on my car I can just reach in and twist the connection so that the battery is disconnected.

Not sure if this is relevant or will work in your case, just another idea.

Jan 24, 2003 | 11:25 AM

luvmy82

Thread Starter

Melting Slicks

Joined: May 2002

Posts: 2,218

Likes: 22

From: Knoxville Tennessee

St. Jude Donor '12

Re: How Do I Keep My Battery Charged? (CHEESERAL)

CHEESERAL I see the battery regulator is plugged into the wall, but where and how does it connect to the battery? Pix don't show that. Also, can this regulator be purchased retail? Would major auto parts suppliers carry something like this?

Jan 24, 2003 | 12:06 PM

CHEESERAL

Racer

Joined: Feb 1999

Posts: 369

Likes: 0

From: Garner NC

Re: How Do I Keep My Battery Charged? (luvmy82)

It's got clips and / ring terminals you can interchange to connect it to the battery terminals, I use the clips.

Here's the site to the manufacters web site, you see the attachments you get with it. I bought mine online, I think I got it for about 40 bucks but I can't remember which site I got it from, look around it find the best price.
http://www.vdcelectronics.com/

Here's the place I got it for 40 bucks.
http://www.batterymart.com/batteryminder.php

[Modified by CHEESERAL, 11:11 AM 1/24/2003]

Jan 24, 2003 | 04:34 PM

axcelr8

Burning Brakes

Joined: Oct 1999

Posts: 767

Likes: 0

From: Near Potholes and Cones MI

Re: How Do I Keep My Battery Charged? (CHEESERAL)

Go up to Sears in Lincoln Park and get one of their microprocessor controlled battery maintainers. Once it see's a full charge, it just sits there until it is needed. This unit also works on deep cycle batteries in case you ever need to, and it desulfates. Less than $50. I have one on each vette.
:cheers:

Or e-mail me and stop on over and I'll show ya.