Trickle charger

[ronda]

Planning on spending 6 months in TV, for the first time this year.
Leaving a car home in the garage, at my house in NJ. Wondering if I need to buy a trickle charger?

Thanks

[Hoosierb4]

I've just been disconnecting the battery when we leave Indiana for the winter. It's cool enough in the garage to not be a problem. But, when returning to Indiana, I take the battery into an air conditioned area so it's not exposed to the high summertime temperatures down here. So far, so good.

[MrFlorida]

Not a trickle charger, but a Battery Tender, works only when the battery gets to a low level. I've used one on my motorcycle during the winter months when I lived up north.

[JMintzer]

Not a trickle charger, but a Battery Tender, works only when the battery gets to a low level. I've used one on my motorcycle during the winter months when I lived up north.

Correct.

[RICH1]

battery tender ..., MR Florida is Correct

[ronda]

Not a trickle charger, but a Battery Tender, works only when the battery gets to a low level. I've used one on my motorcycle during the winter months when I lived up north.

Thanks!! You are right, a battery maintainer, not a trickle charger. Question is do i even need that?

[Rango]

Not a trickle charger, but a Battery Tender, works only when the battery gets to a low level. I've used one on my motorcycle during the winter months when I lived up north.

You can buy an adapter to connect your Battery Tender to the OBD II port under your dash, so you won’t have to open hood and connect to battery

[JMintzer]

You can buy an adapter to connect your Battery Tender to the OBD II port under your dash, so you won’t have to open hood and connect to battery

What is an OBD port?

I have my tender permanently attached to the battery. There is a short 2' or so wire adapter that will reach out under your seat. Just plug the tender into that. No need to "open the hood"...

[Malsua]

What is an OBD port?

I have my tender permanently attached to the battery. There is a short 2' or so wire adapter that will reach out under your seat. Just plug the tender into that. No need to "open the hood"...

OBDII Port is usually in driver seat under the dash. If you've ever plugged a code reader into a car, that's the port it went into.

There are several legs on the port that are live to the battery. This is useful for tenders/chargers and things like dash cam battery packs that can keep a cam going for a day or so without discharging the main battery. It's useful when you don't want to run a wire through the firewall.

[villagetinker]

OP, newer cars have constant drain on the battery, so the short answer to your question is YES you need something to cover the constant drain. Removing or disconnecting the battery can be effective, but may cause problems with the cars computer systems for a while when reconnected, essentially they have forgotten all of their settings and the car may run very rough until the computers relearn their settings. You could call the car manufacturer for their recommendations. As noted above, a battery tender would be the minimum approach.

[JMintzer]

OBDII Port is usually in driver seat under the dash. If you've ever plugged a code reader into a car, that's the port it went into.

There are several legs on the port that are live to the battery. This is useful for tenders/chargers and things like dash cam battery packs that can keep a cam going for a day or so without discharging the main battery. It's useful when you don't want to run a wire through the firewall.

Ah, yes... Of course (pretends to know this even existed in a golf cart...) :icon_wink:

[noslices1]

Planning on spending 6 months in TV, for the first time this year.
Leaving a car home in the garage, at my house in NJ. Wondering if I need to buy a trickle charger?

Thanks

Don’t buy a “Trickle charger”, buy a “Battery Tender”. A trickle charger doesn’t turn off when the battery is fully charged, whereas the Battery tender shuts off when the battery is fully charged. Then if the voltage goes lower again, it turns back on.

[nick demis]

A battery tender is cheap money for an easy fix. Why not?

[Sparky25]

[yES

QUOTE=ronda;2015332]Planning on spending 6 months in TV, for the first time this year.
Leaving a car home in the garage, at my house in NJ. Wondering if I need to buy a trickle charger?

Thanks[/QUOTE]

[Jimmay]

You need a battery maintainer not a trickle charger

[daca55]

Not a trickle charger, but a Battery Tender, works only when the battery gets to a low level. I've used one on my motorcycle during the winter months when I lived up north.

Correct! Been using a battery tender for years and never had a problem. Definitely would recommend a battery tender. Die Hard makes a good one for about $35.

[butlerism]

Regarding Battery stuff - Another useful tip.

If you were to disconnect the battery for some time, give it a good charge before installing.
Next, install it but let the car sit for several hours. then turn on the key- engine off. again.... let it sit for a bit.
The wait periods allow many of the internal capacitors to charge up.
The car will run fine but some of the sensor calibrations will be a bit off.

Some I have found.

Auto Windows - need to manually lower, hold button for 5 seconds, raise fully, again hold the button for 5 seconds.
If you see this, must be done as your windows will act screwey.
Also if you have a drivers window that does not work properly for the A"Auto" feature, perform the above
This one will kick your butt as most folks do not know about resetting the window sensors.

Hood Open - open and close

Tire Inflation - drive the car for a bit.

All sensors should reset, but until they do expect some interesting error messages.

Regards

[msilagy]

Buy a Deltran Tender Plus that hooks up to your battery to keep it charged. In todays world with all the computerized options in our cars batteries should not be disconnected. That is old school. A tender plus is not a trickle charger but brings your battery up to optimal charge and keeps it there. I use one in my car and in my golf cart for 6 months during summer months and then in my car up north for the winter 6 months. Buy on Amazon or anywhere they are sold. Best option.

[toeser]

Planning on spending 6 months in TV, for the first time this year.
Leaving a car home in the garage, at my house in NJ. Wondering if I need to buy a trickle charger?

Thanks

We leave our home for 7 1/2 months and always leave a trickle charger on our car battery. I don't think it's absolutely necessary but I think it's helpful for preserving your battery and having your car ready to go when you get back.

[Ecuadog]

This is what works for me. Been doing it for years.

Deltran Battery Tender Junior click here (https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000CITK8S)

[La lamy]

After 6 months away last winter, my battery was dead when I got back home. I will be using a battery tender if I have to fly to TV again.

[LarryParnelli@gmail.com]

Planning on spending 6 months in TV, for the first time this year.
Leaving a car home in the garage, at my house in NJ. Wondering if I need to buy a trickle charger?

Thanks
Inexpensive, dependable, easy to use. Use it on the JCW MINI

Battery Tender JR High Efficiency 800mA Battery Charger. - Walmart.com (https://www.walmart.com/ip/Battery-Tender-JR-High-Efficiency-800mA-Battery-Charger/782270305?wmlspartner=wlpa&selectedSellerId=0&wl13=3887&adid=22222222420449455996&wmlspartner=wmtlabs&wl0=&wl1=g&wl2=t&wl3=501107745824&wl4=pla-293946777986&wl5=9012188&wl6=&wl7=&wl8=&wl9=pla&wl10=8175035&wl11=local&wl12=782270305&wl13=3887&veh=sem_LIA&gclid=EAIaIQobChMIhMSLz-i_8wIV0u2zCh2z3AZTEAQYAyABEgLRiPD_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds)

[JMintzer]

This is what works for me. Been doing it for years.

Deltran Battery Tender Junior click here (https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000CITK8S)

That's the exact one I have...

[merrymini]

Battery tender works fine and do not forget to put stabilizer in the gasoline in the tank. Been doing it for years. Disconnecting the battery is not a good idea.

[Jerseyborn]

Thanks!! You are right, a battery maintainer, not a trickle charger. Question is do i even need that?

Where in Jersey are you coming from? We recently moved here from Cherry Hill

[nordic tug]

Planning on spending 6 months in TV, for the first time this year.
Leaving a car home in the garage, at my house in NJ. Wondering if I need to buy a trickle charger?

Thanks
I have used battery maintainers for year’s while leaving car’s, boat’s and golf carts for at least six months without any issues. The car’s today computer is always drawing some power from the battery where the battery maintainers keep up with that and some models will de sulfate as well. Do your research in buying a quality maintainer.

[tophcfa]

You can buy an adapter to connect your Battery Tender to the OBD II port under your dash, so you won’t have to open hood and connect to battery

Better yet, open your hood and connect the battery tender, and leave your hood open. Mice build nests in confined spaces and you will be much less likely to have mice build homes in your engine compartment if the hood is left open. Nothing like the smell of burning mice when you fire up your engine after the car has been in long term storage.

[dewilson58]

Nothing like the smell of burning mice when you fire up your engine after the car has been in long term storage.

Tastes like chicken.

[jimkerr]

Like others have said, a battery tender is the way to go. Another easy solution is to have a neighbor take your vehicle and golf cart for a quick drive once a month.

[mkjelenbaas]

We used one for five years when we were snow birds - never a problem and it always started up after six months in the Detroit area.

[Summerhouse]

We are in The Villages for 6 months every year. We use a battery tender also, ours is equipped with WiFi also so we can monitor.

[richl]

I just disconnect the neutral of the battery and leave the + (the red one) connected - works like a charm.

[dlsd58]

its the best way to not have a dead battery - I bought one at Pep boys - only $35.00 and turns on and off by itself to save energy

[Pharmer]

I have been doing this for 10 years. We have left my wife's car in Maine over the winter. Leave with a full tank of gas (helps prevent condensation) to which I have added a few ounces of marine grade Stabil (Walmart has it) and disconnect the battery. I have never had a problem starting the car when we return in May.
Pharmer

[DaleDivine]

I've just been disconnecting the battery when we leave Indiana for the winter. It's cool enough in the garage to not be a problem. But, when returning to Indiana, I take the battery into an air conditioned area so it's not exposed to the high summertime temperatures down here. So far, so good.

If you have a newer car and disconnect the battery... There goes all of your memory items like your radio. And sometimes it's really expensive to get it reset.
:ohdear::ohdear:

[DaleDivine]

Tastes like chicken.

:1rotfl::1rotfl::1rotfl:

[Hoosierb4]

If you have a newer car and disconnect the battery... There goes all of your memory items like your radio. And sometimes it's really expensive to get it reset.
:ohdear::ohdear:

I do have to reset the favorites on the radio, but that's all. But, if you don't disconnect it or put it on a tender, it will be dead and won't be recoverable. Also, the battery's feeling a little heavy lately...I think I may switch to the tender for the vehicles down here. Do they work OK for the golf cart too?

[RoadToad]

Thanks!! You are right, a battery maintainer, not a trickle charger. Question is do i even need that?

yes, you need that

[Lil GTO]

Battery Tender it’s a small charger that can sit under your hood and will keep the battery topped off .

It’ll likely be dead when you get back home if not. Planning on spending 6 months in TV, for the first time this year.
Leaving a car home in the garage, at my house in NJ. Wondering if I need to buy a trickle charger?

Thanks

[Bob2H-in-1]

I've successfully used Battery Tender for over five years -- for my golf cart in TV when in VA and a BT for a second car in VA while in TV. Highly recommend the product.

[richl]

This is why you only disconnect the neutral battery lead and not the positive lead (red one)

[dewilson58]

Lots of options on this thread.

We would disconnect the battery and it would have plenty of charge to start when we returned after ~6 months. Never had an issue. Tires ain't smooth, but that's self fixing.

:ho:

[daca55]

Hi, try the battery tender made by Die Hard. You can get them at Ace Hardware for about $35. You can attach wires with connectors to battery and leave them there when you disconnect the battery tender. I use one on my golf cart and one on my car. I also use one on each of my two cars when I leave N.H. Never had a problem.



QUOTE=La lamy;2015613]After 6 months away last winter, my battery was dead when I got back home. I will be using a battery tender if I have to fly to TV again.[/QUOTE]

[Kathryn Putt]

Yes

[noslices1]

This is why you only disconnect the neutral battery lead and not the positive lead (red one)

Not a good idea to disconnect the NEGATIVE terminal. There are so many computer regulated parts in newer cars that even when mechanics replace batteries, they will sometimes connect a temporary battery to maintain voltage while they replace with a new one.

[dshoberg]

Not a trickle charger, but a Battery Tender, works only when the battery gets to a low level. I've used one on my motorcycle during the winter months when I lived up north.
Agree

[clwahlstrom]

Yep

[OhioBuckeye]

I've just been disconnecting the battery when we leave Indiana for the winter. It's cool enough in the garage to not be a problem. But, when returning to Indiana, I take the battery into an air conditioned area so it's not exposed to the high summertime temperatures down here. So far, so good.

I think that’s smart how you’re doing it by disconnecting your battery connections. Batteries can get hot even on a trickle charger. Back about 6 or 7 yrs. ago in Harbour Hills someone just finished driving their cart & pulled it into their garage & hooked their charger up to their cart to top off the battery & while they were home it caught fire & gutted their garage & destroyed their car & had smoke damage totally to the inside of their home. If I were you I would disconnect the cart battery for 6 months & tickle charge it when you get back. Just my opinion, but you do what you want. I wouldn’t charge anything for 6 months. We had a family member that went to Napel’s FL. for 6 mo. every yr. for 13 yrs. never used a tickle charger & their car never failed to start!

[Curtisbwp]

You may want to consider "stabil" a stabilizer for your gas

[Joe C.]

If you've read all the replies, then you know to get a battery tender.
They work
No problem
No need to do anything else.
You'll be happy.:)

[PAB51]

Planning on spending 6 months in TV, for the first time this year.
Leaving a car home in the garage, at my house in NJ. Wondering if I need to buy a trickle charger?

Thanks

Yes, it works for all my vehicles. The problem is sometime it’s tripped by electrical outage

[petiteone]

I use a trickle charger when I leave The Villages to go back up north for the Summer. It's worked well for the 10+ years I've used it. Easy to use, easy to attach and re-attach.

[lynnschindel]

Planning on spending 6 months in TV, for the first time this year.
Leaving a car home in the garage, at my house in NJ. Wondering if I need to buy a trickle charger?

Thanks
We did, and it worked great. We bought a car to leave at the villa, and used one here, too. Only once the GFI went out, so we had to buy new batteries for the car and golf car.
.

[OhioBuckeye]

You may want to consider "stabil" a stabilizer for your gas

Yes, one time my car sat for around 7 months it wouldn’t start because gas gummed up the fuel lines. Another time I used “Stabil” & my car sat for a yr. it cranked over a sec. or 2 then fired right up. Batteries can be charged when your home or be jumped! But like I said, do what you want to do, but remember a constant charge can ruin a battery too.

[Pessemist]

Planning on spending 6 months in TV, for the first time this year.
Leaving a car home in the garage, at my house in NJ. Wondering if I need to buy a trickle charger?

Thanks

Buy a battery tender. A trickle charger never turns off and may evaporate off all your battery water ruining the battery.

[golfnut]

Battery tender works fine and do not forget to put stabilizer in the gasoline in the tank. Been doing it for years. Disconnecting the battery is not a good idea.

Please reference your source that says disconnecting a battery is not a good idea, my mechanic told me to do it when storing my car.

[ronda]

A battery tender is cheap money for an easy fix. Why not?

Yes, it is cheap and easy, just another thing plugged in for 6 months that could be a problem. I bought NOCO GENIUS1 for about $30 from Amazon. I have the same unit installed on my house generator for several years and haven't had a problem.

Thanks,

[tsmall22204]

Now that everyone has beat this person up for their choice of words, the battery tender is your best choice. Good luck and enjoy.

[dewilson58]

Please reference your source that says disconnecting a battery is not a good idea, my mechanic told me to do it when storing my car.

If you Google long enough, you will find anything.
Disconnecting the battery is NOT a bad idea.

From Repair Smith: If you plan on storing a vehicle for an extended period, it’s advisable to disconnect at least the negative terminal from your car battery. This prevents unnecessary battery drain, as a fully charged battery can hold its charge for 6-12 months if you do this.

:coolsmiley:

[mike1946]

Also you need to get the weight off your tires - 6 months standing will put a flat area on them and you will feel a bump bump bump when you start driving and it also ruins the tires ....jack it up and put some axle jacks underneath ...well worth the effort unless you want to buy a new set of tires when you get home.

[dewilson58]

Also you need to get the weight off your tires - 6 months standing will put a flat area on them and you will feel a bump bump bump when you start driving and it also ruins the tires ....jack it up and put some axle jacks underneath ...well worth the effort unless you want to buy a new set of tires when you get home.

We let the cart on tires for six months a number of times.
We still have the same set of tires, six years later.

[OhioBuckeye]

Buy a battery tender. A trickle charger never turns off and may evaporate off all your battery water ruining the battery.

You’re exactly right & when the water evaporates it’ll over heat & then could overheat & cause a fire!

[cfhelz45]

Planning on spending 6 months in TV, for the first time this year.
Leaving a car home in the garage, at my house in NJ. Wondering if I need to buy a trickle charger?

Thanks
I disconnect the negative wire from post on battery. I was told to do this by a mechanic. Before doing this I would come back to Illinois and have to replace the battery.

[Laker14]

I need a recommendation for a good trickle charger.
My trickle definitely could use a good charging.

[Tkoehrin]

Disconnect your battery before you leave

[THUNDERCHIEF]

planning on spending 6 months in tv, for the first time this year.
Leaving a car home in the garage, at my house in nj. Wondering if i need to buy a trickle charger?

Thanks
yes, you need to have a tricle charger on the one up north.