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Thread: trickle charger for the winter

  1. #1
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    trickle charger for the winter

    any suggestions on a trickle charger for the winter?
    recently put my boat to bed and I'd like to keep my batteries tip-top for the next six months.
    also, ever hear of the practice of removing the negative cables from the batteries to prevent extra drain?
    thanks,

  2. #2
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    Deltran battery tender has always worked well for me.

    http://batterytender.com/
    1994 Donzi 18 Classic
    Carburated 350 Mercruiser Magnum/Alpha One

  3. #3
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    I've seen some guys using solar chargers that

    plug right into your 12V outlet. It's the same as I see some guys use when they park their car in the airport lots for a few weeks. Disconnecting the +/- cables only works to prevent a parasitic drain on your system. You can not trickle charge your system if any of the cables/terminals are disconnected.

  4. #4
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    1-take battery out of boat
    2-put on work bench with charger on it

    3-when done charging store properly in warm area until spring

    4-reinstall in boat
    Please keep in mind I don't know anything......
    any information I have is made up.....
    and generally I am part of the problem
    VICE President-Weller's Bay DONZI Association

    OFFICIAL LAKE GEORGE POKER RUN CHAMPION

  5. #5
    mrfixxall Guest

    Fixx

    i havn't touched my batterys 10 years except for a 2amp over night charge at the beginning of the season..

  6. #6
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    I have used this for a couple of years on my AGM batteries. Works great. I like the desulphator funtion. That is why I bought it over the batteryminder. I charge one battery at a time, switching once a month or so. I have a battery switch so there is no need to disconnect any terminals.

    http://www.northerntool.com/shop/too...6706_200326706
    Member - WAFNC
    1997 22 Classic (sold)
    1997 Formula 271 Fastech
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  7. #7
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    Like Fixx, I just put it on the trickle charge for a day or so before it goes back in the boat.
    1978 X-18, SBC, Volvo 280T
    Big Grizzly 21 Solas Prop
    Heart Bay, Lake George, NY

  8. #8
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    I charge mine once a month during layup, it is not good to leave any battery on charge constantly.
    No matter what your beliefs are "GOD BLESS AMERICA"

    Fully retired marine tech near 60 years in the biz.

  9. #9
    RacnJasn Guest


    TECHNICAL DATA
    Voltage AC 120VAC, 60Hz. Output power is reduced at lower input voltage.
    A perfect charge will still be achieved.
    Current 1.1A rms
    Back Current Drain* 1.3mA
    Charging Voltage Nominal: 12V 14.4/14.7V
    Ripple** Max 50mV rms, max 0.13A.
    Charging Current 0.8/3.3A max
    Ambient Temperature - 4°F to +122°F. Automatic reduction of power at increased ambient
    temperature.
    Cooling Natural convection. Do not cover the charger.
    Charger type Four step fully automatic with pulse maintenance mode.
    Type of batteries All types of lead-acid batteries.
    Battery Capacity 2–90Ah
    Dimensions 61/2 x 23/8 x 11/2 inches (L x W x H)
    Enclosure Splashproof/Rainproof.
    Weight 1.1 lbs
    *) The back current drain is the current that the charger uses from the battery when the
    wall plug is not connected. The reverse current of the MULTI US 3300 is very low and
    corresponds to 1Ah per month.
    12 • US
    **)The ripple wave describes how many disturbances are exhibited by current and voltage.
    A rippled voltage can cause damage to other equipment connected to the battery. The
    MULTI US 3300 supplies voltage and current with very low voltage rippling. This increases
    the life of the battery and ensures that equipment connected to it will not be damaged.

    http://www.ctek.com/EN-CA/consumer/mus-3300.aspx

  10. #10
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    I'll second the Ctek chargers, from the above post. The best battery charger I have ever owned. It helped me milk the battery in my lawn tractor, for the whole season.

  11. #11
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    Quote Originally Posted by glashole View Post
    1-take battery out of boat
    2-put on work bench with charger on it

    3-when done charging store properly in warm area until spring

    4-reinstall in boat
    Yup. Mine come out and store in the basement. I put a slow charger on them a couple times over the winter. Why subject them to bitter cold? My original batteries have 6 seasons on them and still load test good so I must be doing something right!
    Lake St. Clair, Lake Huron, Lake Erie, Lake Oakland

  12. #12
    GBond Guest
    Quote Originally Posted by glashole View Post
    1-take battery out of boat
    2-put on work bench with charger on it

    3-when done charging store properly in warm area until spring

    4-reinstall in boat
    Quote Originally Posted by Carl C View Post
    Yup. Mine come out and store in the basement. I put a slow charger on them a couple times over the winter. Why subject them to bitter cold? My original batteries have 6 seasons on them and still load test good so I must be doing something right!
    Best bet!

  13. #13
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    Battery Tender

    I have used the "Battery Tender" brand of low output chargers that I got from Eastwood Company with great success over the last couple of winters. I use them for both the boat and car batteries. Leaving the battery in the car allows me to use the theft control system without it actually draining the battery.

    Murray Adam

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