Trickle charge
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 409
Likes: 2
From: The Villages FL
Trickle charge
So it's been below zero here in CT for multiple days. I just attached a 2-10-50 amp trickle charge to my battery ar at 2 amps as it won't be seeing daylight for quite some time. The box says 3-5 charging time. I assumed you could lever this attached indefinitely. No?
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 20,352
Likes: 568
From: Ventura County, Calif
No, you can't......unless the unit specifically states it is also a float charger. A constant 2 amps will cook the battery pretty quickly. You need, or should have, a battery maintainer. Battery Tender and CTEK are the most common, popular. Many here have posted that you can get a Schumacher at WalMart. Don't know much about those though. 
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 7,250
Likes: 6
From: Glassboro New Jersey
No trickle charger. 
You need a battery tender/minder. These you can leave hooked up indefinitely as it monitors the battery volts and only charges when needed without overcharging.
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 1999
Posts: 2,886
Likes: 173
From: Scottsdale AZ
St. Jude Donor '11
Having suffered DBS with a nine month old battery in a 2010, studied this forum extensively. Battery tender. Several good brands recommended. Regardless of cost, cheaper and less frustrating than being stranded with a dead battery. Once dead, most batteries won't jump.Cheap insurance.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 1,129
Likes: 29
From: Lakewood Ranch Florida
No, you can't......unless the unit specifically states it is also a float charger. A constant 2 amps will cook the battery pretty quickly. You need, or should have, a battery maintainer. Battery Tender and CTEK are the most common, popular. Many here have posted that you can get a Schumacher at WalMart. Don't know much about those though.
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Melting Slicks
Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 2,486
Likes: 94
From: Southgate Michigan
Here in Michigan it's been very cold too. And it affects more than battery juice. Today it's supposed to be 32, which means that the engine block, heads, and all other dense materials will stay freezing while the air around them is warmer. This will coat your engine and other parts that have stayed cold, with condensation. The "new" will soon disappear from your Corvette's bright engine parts unless you start it up. It becomes a kind of high-class dehumidifier.
Drifting
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 1,578
Likes: 23
From: Waldorf, MD
Yeah, after several weeks of non-use my battery took a dive. Was sitting in the cold garage. Looked on the forum here and as a result of one recommendation, ran over to Walmart and picked up a tender for $20. Hooked it right up.
Team Owner
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 45,273
Likes: 8,545
From: Rochester, NY
No, you can't......unless the unit specifically states it is also a float charger. A constant 2 amps will cook the battery pretty quickly. You need, or should have, a battery maintainer. Battery Tender and CTEK are the most common, popular. Many here have posted that you can get a Schumacher at WalMart. Don't know much about those though.
Instructor
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 160
Likes: 0
From: Cochrane Alberta
Before you run out and spend money on a new charger, read the instruction manual that came with yours. If it's a newer charger, there's a very good chance it will shut itself off once the battery is charged.
Paul
Paul
Last edited by Can Can; Jan 25, 2011 at 09:05 PM. Reason: Spelling
