Trickle Charger question
12-05-2009, 11:22 AM
#17
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I have the CTEK 3300 multi-use maintainer. It is similar to the Porsche maintainer with the exception that it does not have the cigarette outlet cable. I bought an adapter cable to use with the lighter outlet from Amazon which is also where I picked up my maintainer, although the C Tire sale prices are better than what I paid for mine.
12-05-2009, 01:30 PM
#21
I've heard the trickle chargers which continuously charge are bad for batteries. I have a Battery Tender which charges it full, then turns off until battery voltage drops at which point it automatically turns on again.
12-05-2009, 02:19 PM
#23
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I just picked up a Motomaster battery maintainer that has the cig lighter accessory included for $60 at CT. I didn't go with the CTEK because the cig lighter adapter was not included and they didn't have one in stock. They are about the same size and from what I can tell they are the same thing from different companies. So far so good.
12-05-2009, 02:31 PM
#24
My car came with a very nice Schumacher trickle charger. The PO hardwired it from the battery up under the dash (looks to be professionally done) and it just tucks up underneath until it is needed.
12-05-2009, 06:28 PM
#25
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The problem with trickle chargers is that they will force feed a battery 24/7 while on. (2 amp, 4 amp, .5 amp or whatever)
Now though it seems the "trickle" and "maintainer" terms have blurred and trickle chargers seem to be falling more into the maintainer catagory.
It's best to do your homework before you cook that battery.
my 2cents.
Go Habs. it was a hell of a 100th anniversery win last night.
Now though it seems the "trickle" and "maintainer" terms have blurred and trickle chargers seem to be falling more into the maintainer catagory.
It's best to do your homework before you cook that battery.
my 2cents.
Go Habs. it was a hell of a 100th anniversery win last night.
12-07-2009, 11:50 AM
#26
12-08-2009, 01:32 PM
#27
Race Car
The Porsche charger I have was $86 and is a Charge-o-mat part # 980 611 981 00. The only advantage I can see is the incredibly long wire from the unit, which plugs into an outletand runs to the cigarette lighter. The wire is also thin (read not durable) so it fits in a door gap. The solid state Motomaster unit pictured above is a more advanced unit and only $35 on sale. I doubt the thicker wire will fit through a door gap but others may advise you on this. I have mine running in a gap opening at the top of a window on the Zed but of course it does not have an interior infrared alarm. I don't see any need for a timer. These units turn on and off automatically and are on for such short times after the initial plug in charge that you'll never see it on. I think a timer would interfere with it's cycling....
12-08-2009, 07:49 PM
#28
Rennlist Member
Also get yourself a Digital Multimeter so that you can measure the voltage across the battery.
Any battery charger should cut off at 14.4 volts and then switch to a float mode of about 13.4 volts.
I'd return the CTC unit and buy an Optimate 4 Battery Maintainer for about $80. They are available at motorcycle shops.
You can leave it connected indefinitely. If you leave the hood cracked open, don't forget to manually snap the hood latch to the closed position to turn off the hood compartment light and remember to release it before trying to close the hood next spring
Any battery charger should cut off at 14.4 volts and then switch to a float mode of about 13.4 volts.
I'd return the CTC unit and buy an Optimate 4 Battery Maintainer for about $80. They are available at motorcycle shops.
You can leave it connected indefinitely. If you leave the hood cracked open, don't forget to manually snap the hood latch to the closed position to turn off the hood compartment light and remember to release it before trying to close the hood next spring
