Trickle chargers
Race Director
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 10,554
Likes: 33
From: Not on either liberal coast.
Maybe you're referring to a float maintenance charger rather than a "trickle" charger?
A float maintenance charger will slowly charge your battery up to optimum, then goes into a "sleep" mode. They're safe to leave connected to your battery indefinitely as their electronics have fail safes to prevent over charging, safe against accidental reverse polarity connection, etc. They come with alligator clip connections or ring tail connections.
If so, the two most popular are BATTERY TENDER PLUS (by DELTRAN CORP.) which inputs only 1.25amps. It's safe for a standard wet cell or OPTIMA type battery. I've been using one of these since '95.
Or, the other popular product is the CTEK US3300 which is a more high tech product from Europe. It has dual inputs of 0.8 or 3.3amps.
A float maintenance charger will slowly charge your battery up to optimum, then goes into a "sleep" mode. They're safe to leave connected to your battery indefinitely as their electronics have fail safes to prevent over charging, safe against accidental reverse polarity connection, etc. They come with alligator clip connections or ring tail connections.
If so, the two most popular are BATTERY TENDER PLUS (by DELTRAN CORP.) which inputs only 1.25amps. It's safe for a standard wet cell or OPTIMA type battery. I've been using one of these since '95.
Or, the other popular product is the CTEK US3300 which is a more high tech product from Europe. It has dual inputs of 0.8 or 3.3amps.
Last edited by hotwheels57; Apr 18, 2011 at 06:51 PM.
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CTEK MULTI US 3300 
Le Mans Master
Joined: Feb 2003
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From: Memphis Tennessee
I had an extra Chicago Electric unit I paid less than $20 for at Harbor Freight. Winter had just arrived so I thought, "what the Hell, the battery is 7 years old, I have nothing to loose." I changed from loops to clips for easy engress and on it went.
Still keep it on there between drives, no problems, no issues, OE gell battery still going strong.
Still keep it on there between drives, no problems, no issues, OE gell battery still going strong.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 1,165
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From: Not far from COTA
I have 8 Battery Tenders: driveway gate opener battery, autocross Miata (5# motorcycle battery), track Miata, Z06 for when I'm in FL, Lexus at FL condo for when I'm in TX, spare autocross Miata battery, spare track Miata battery, one for Silverado when I'm in FL.
Tried other brands and stuff died. Especially a pain when the gate opener battery croaks when it's less than a year old.
get Battery Tender brand suited to your amp needs
Tried other brands and stuff died. Especially a pain when the gate opener battery croaks when it's less than a year old.
get Battery Tender brand suited to your amp needs
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From: Whippany NJ
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Best thing i did for my car for the winter! keeps battery well maintained in a safe way not just plain charging it! 
Racer
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 261
Likes: 3
From: Elizabethtown Kentucky
I use CTEK's on all my vehicles.. motorhome, motorcycles, and corvettes... no issues with them. I used to use one from Sears and had it burn up a battery years ago. Switched to CTEK and haven't had any issues.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 3,315
Likes: 17
From: Near Jacksonville Fl.
I had an extra Chicago Electric unit I paid less than $20 for at Harbor Freight. Winter had just arrived so I thought, "what the Hell, the battery is 7 years old, I have nothing to loose." I changed from loops to clips for easy engress and on it went.
Still keep it on there between drives, no problems, no issues, OE gell battery still going strong.
Still keep it on there between drives, no problems, no issues, OE gell battery still going strong.
When I lived in Michigan I'd hook it up when the first snow and toss on the car cover and leave it till we had a good rain in the spring to clear the salt off the roads.
I still use in here in Fl. when the car doesn't get started for 4-5 days.