Trickle Charge on Second Battery.
Submitted: Monday, Jan 01, 2007 at 13:09
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Treading Lightly
Hi all,
Another question on second batteries. Does it do any harm to have a trickle charge on the second battery for a long period, (at least 2 weeks). And do you have to disconnect it from the main battery?
JD
Reply By: Derek from Affordable Batteries & Radiators - Monday, Jan 01, 2007 at 15:30
Monday, Jan 01, 2007 at 15:30
Hi TL
It would depend on the quality of the charger.
2 years on a good charger is OK.
Regards
Derek.
AnswerID:
212732
Reply By: Member - Norm C (QLD) - Monday, Jan 01, 2007 at 16:36
Monday, Jan 01, 2007 at 16:36
As Derek said.
Also, if your second battery is isolated from the main battery (which it normally would be), it is already 'disconnected'.
If you have a good multi stage charger, you will be doing the battery a favour.
AnswerID:
212741
Reply By: Mike Harding - Monday, Jan 01, 2007 at 17:43
Monday, Jan 01, 2007 at 17:43
The best way to treat a lead acid battery is to keep it on "float charge" during it's unused periods. For 12V batteries this requires a constant voltage charger which will maintain a voltage of 13V7 +/- 0V1 which is not a difficult thing to do and should be available quite cheaply. Beware of "trickle" chargers - "trickle" is, technically, a meaningless term - look for float charging at 13V7. This is how systems such as fire panels and intruder alarm systems maintain their back up batteries over long periods.
Mike Harding
AnswerID:
212751
Reply By: Mainey (WA) - Tuesday, Jan 02, 2007 at 13:10
Tuesday, Jan 02, 2007 at 13:10
Treading Lightly you have posted;
"Does it do any harm to have a trickle charge on the second battery for a long period, (at least 2 weeks). And do you have to disconnect it from the main battery? "
Do you not drive the vehicle for the 2 weeks you have mentioned ???
As replied to above, the two batteries will be 'disconected' if you use a "battery Isolator" as they are only 'connected' when the engine is running.
AnswerID:
212850
Reply By: BUGGER ME - Tuesday, Jan 02, 2007 at 23:32
Tuesday, Jan 02, 2007 at 23:32
hi treading lightly
don't keep on trickle charge for long periods' if just sitting in your yard will distroy your battery' only start charging with a trickle charger a couple of day's before going away. my 3 amp trickle charger has a safety cut off when fully charged and goes to float so does not over charge.
regards, bugger me
AnswerID:
212949
Reply By: Treading Lightly - Wednesday, Jan 03, 2007 at 16:55
Wednesday, Jan 03, 2007 at 16:55
Thanks guys for all the input I will give the second battery a charge for a couple of days before the depature.
JD
AnswerID:
213053
Reply By: disco1942 - Wednesday, Jan 03, 2007 at 21:45
Wednesday, Jan 03, 2007 at 21:45
JD
What are you going to trickle charge your battery with? If you are going to use a quality 3 or 4 stage charger ($250 + ) then you may leave it on for as long as you like (providing you have it programmed for your type of battery.) If it is a cheapy chain store type you can boil the water out of your battery and it is best not to even try to fully charge your battery - use the charger to bring the terminal voltage up to 14.5V before you travel and let your alternator finish the job.
PeterD
AnswerID:
213095
Follow Up By: Treading Lightly - Thursday, Jan 04, 2007 at 07:40
Thursday, Jan 04, 2007 at 07:40
Thanks for info. What would the max volts be if the battery was fully charged by a charger and would that be the same as the alternator.
JD
FollowupID:
473431
Follow Up By: disco1942 - Thursday, Jan 04, 2007 at 10:52
Thursday, Jan 04, 2007 at 10:52
JD
A fully charged battery after standing without charge or load for 12 hours would be 12.6 to 12.9 V depending on the type of battery. You will have to go to the manufacturer or supplier to find out the exact chart of voltages.
If you go to www.uuhome.de/william.darden/ and click on Temperature Compensated Battery State-of-Charge (SoC) Table two different types of battery have been used as examples. You will also note that temperature is a big determinant in battery terminal voltage.
PeterD
ps don't forget the 12 hour resting time
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