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-   The Villages, Florida, General Discussion (https://www.talkofthevillages.com/forums/villages-florida-general-discussion-73/)
-   -   Trickle charger (https://www.talkofthevillages.com/forums/villages-florida-general-discussion-73/trickle-charger-325018/)

ronda 10-09-2021 01:54 PM

Trickle charger
 
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 10-09-2021 02:02 PM

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 10-09-2021 02:22 PM

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 10-09-2021 02:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MrFlorida (Post 2015339)
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 10-09-2021 03:08 PM

battery tender ..., MR Florida is Correct

ronda 10-09-2021 04:54 PM

Maintainer
 
Quote:

Originally Posted by MrFlorida (Post 2015339)
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 10-09-2021 05:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MrFlorida (Post 2015339)
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 10-09-2021 05:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rango (Post 2015428)
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 10-09-2021 06:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JMintzer (Post 2015436)
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 10-09-2021 06:46 PM

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 10-09-2021 07:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Malsua (Post 2015451)
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 10-10-2021 05:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ronda (Post 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

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 10-10-2021 06:26 AM

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

Sparky25 10-10-2021 06:29 AM

[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 10-10-2021 06:32 AM

You need a battery maintainer not a trickle charger

daca55 10-10-2021 06:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MrFlorida (Post 2015339)
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 10-10-2021 06:41 AM

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 10-10-2021 06:49 AM

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 10-10-2021 07:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ronda (Post 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

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 10-10-2021 07:06 AM

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

Deltran Battery Tender Junior click here

La lamy 10-10-2021 07:10 AM

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 10-10-2021 07:18 AM

Battery Tender Jr
 
Quote:

Originally Posted by ronda (Post 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

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

Battery Tender JR High Efficiency 800mA Battery Charger. - Walmart.com

JMintzer 10-10-2021 07:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ecuadog (Post 2015610)
This is what works for me. Been doing it for years.

Deltran Battery Tender Junior click here

That's the exact one I have...

merrymini 10-10-2021 07:50 AM

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 10-10-2021 08:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ronda (Post 2015411)
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 10-10-2021 08:20 AM

Battery Maintainer
 
Quote:

Originally Posted by ronda (Post 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

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 10-10-2021 08:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rango (Post 2015428)
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 10-10-2021 08:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tophcfa (Post 2015671)
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 10-10-2021 08:58 AM

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 10-10-2021 10:04 AM

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 10-10-2021 10:12 AM

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 10-10-2021 10:46 AM

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

dlsd58 10-10-2021 10:51 AM

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 10-10-2021 11:02 AM

Simple
 
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 10-10-2021 12:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hoosierb4 (Post 2015333)
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 10-10-2021 12:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dewilson58 (Post 2015679)
Tastes like chicken.

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

Hoosierb4 10-10-2021 01:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DaleDivine (Post 2015812)
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 10-10-2021 01:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ronda (Post 2015411)
Thanks!! You are right, a battery maintainer, not a trickle charger. Question is do i even need that?

yes, you need that

Lil GTO 10-10-2021 02:28 PM

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.
Quote:

Originally Posted by ronda (Post 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


Bob2H-in-1 10-10-2021 04:01 PM

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.


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