Battery Float Charger
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 6,269
Likes: 50
From: Dallas Texas
St. Jude Donor '06-'07-'09-'10
Battery Float Charger
If you've got an Optima type battery and are like me, only driving the Vette in nice weather, you'll need a Automatic Float Type Trickle Charger.
I got a heck of a deal one today at Harbor Freight Tools with an Online Sale coupon for $5.99. It came with spring loaded battery terminal clamps, which I switched to a cigarette lighter plug end. Now, I don't even have to raise the hood to keep the battery charged.
I got a heck of a deal one today at Harbor Freight Tools with an Online Sale coupon for $5.99. It came with spring loaded battery terminal clamps, which I switched to a cigarette lighter plug end. Now, I don't even have to raise the hood to keep the battery charged.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 6,937
Likes: 21
From: Waldorf MD
I bought a Black and Decker "float battery charger" from WallMart for $17. The directions said NOT to use the cigarette lighter attachment for "long term" use as problems may occurr.
The exact words are, "NOTE: The 12 volt DC recharging procedure [cigarette lighter] is recommended only when it is necessary, as continued use of the 12 volt recharging procedure may shorten the battery system's life."
It then goes on to state that you should leave the engine running while using the cigarette lighter adapter !? This is counter to the clips and hard wired wires, where they say the engine should NOT be running while charging.
The exact words are, "NOTE: The 12 volt DC recharging procedure [cigarette lighter] is recommended only when it is necessary, as continued use of the 12 volt recharging procedure may shorten the battery system's life."
It then goes on to state that you should leave the engine running while using the cigarette lighter adapter !? This is counter to the clips and hard wired wires, where they say the engine should NOT be running while charging.
Last edited by Oldvetter; Feb 6, 2007 at 07:57 PM.
Drifting
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 1,917
Likes: 18
From: Tulsa OK
I too have the Black and Decker model from Wally World. For under $20, it has worked like a champ. My first optima battery (before the charger) only lasted a year and a half. This one, which was replaced free when the first one died, has been going strong for two years.
Bryan
Bryan
Race Director
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 16,795
Likes: 62
From: Lake Havasu City, AZ
I have used the Harbor Freight battery float charger (via alligator clips) with my battery installed in my two Vettes over the past 3 seasons.
I have regular batteries. It works just fine.
The max on it is 1.5 amps.
IMHO you can pay more, but you can't buy better....
I have regular batteries. It works just fine.
The max on it is 1.5 amps.
IMHO you can pay more, but you can't buy better....
