[daca55]

Originally Posted by 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.

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]

Originally Posted by 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

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

[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]

Originally Posted by 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

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

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

[JMintzer]

Originally Posted by Ecuadog

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]

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]

Originally Posted by ronda

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]

Originally Posted by 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

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]

Originally Posted by Rango

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]

Originally Posted by tophcfa

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.