Battery Maintenance

Submitted: Sunday, Aug 16, 2009 at 10:06

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furph

This may be a well known tip, but here goes anyway.

We have just returned home after 3 months leaving our other 2 vehicles dormant in the shed.

As I have done for the last 5 years I connected a 5a. charger to each vehicles battery, switched on by a 24hr. timer for 1hr./day to maintain battery charge.

It was -7deg. here this morning but both vehicles (one diesel) started immediately. And in both cases the batteries are over 4yrs. old (the one in the Hyundai original).

For me it is a most economical and practical way of maintaining batteries when left for extended periods.
furph

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Reply By: Gronk - Sunday, Aug 16, 2009 at 12:03

Sunday, Aug 16, 2009 at 12:03

Yep, a good way to look after your batts Furph.....and even easier ( if you can afford it in the 1st place ) is to leave them permanately on charge with a good 3 stage charger ...

AnswerID: 379187

Reply By: Member - Mike DID - Sunday, Aug 16, 2009 at 14:20

Sunday, Aug 16, 2009 at 14:20

If you're only using the Charger to maintain a battery that's already charged, then you can save money by buying a 1-stage charger that only does Float Charging.

AnswerID: 379192

Reply By: Best Off Road - Sunday, Aug 16, 2009 at 15:44

Sunday, Aug 16, 2009 at 15:44

Or there is a great little device from Projecta, The Charge Controller BM140 that goes between your battery charger and the battery that turns your charger into a two stage. It has two settings to float for either wet cell or AGM/Gel. It's only about $45.

Jim.

AnswerID: 379196

Reply By: furph - Sunday, Aug 16, 2009 at 17:25

Sunday, Aug 16, 2009 at 17:25

Thanks for the responses, have wondered about the multiple stage chargers.

However the 24hr. timer I use "hopefully" uses less juice than dual float chargers, it switches both chargers on then off (it actually also keeps another battery maintained)

My other concern is coming home to an electricity bill with minimal electricity usage but service availability costs of over $65. (the bill was in the box waiting for me)

That is more than the cost of generator fuel we used in 3 months maintaining the Trailbaza on freeze and night time lighting.
furph

AnswerID: 379204