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Battery winter storage

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Nelson

Nelson

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I hope to get in some driving over the winter but I expect there could be some long periods of the car having to just sit in the garage. I've heard that the battery needs some attention if it is just going to sit. Are automatic float chargers a good way to keep the battery up? I just got an advert from Harbor Freight for one and I'm tempted to get it. For only $8.99 I don't see where I could go wrong or is there some factor that I don't know about that could be a problem?
 
It's what I use Nelson
 
Almost every boat in the marina has one.
 
The keep alive for the radio runs the battery down in Bugsy. Over the course of several months battery will go flat dead and that doesn't help them in the long run. I do worry that the cheap automatic chargers are not really doing anything more than supplying a continuous charge that could in fact overcharge the battery. I see one from Eastwood Garage advertised on My Classic Car for about $30 or so. Anyone have any experience with that one?
 
I have several from when I had a boat. They all have and do work as advertised. They shut on and off as required unless specified other wise.
 
I own two Battery Tenders, they cost $40.00 each at Amazon and you can leave them on a battery all the time without worry. I have used Battery Tenders for years with no problems.
 
I use the Battery Tender brand for tractors, lawnmowers, ATVs, and cars, but I use on board marine chargers for my boat. The Battery Tenders supply just the right charge and have a quick connect feature that make them very convenient to use. Autozone, Advance, etc. have them for about $35 and they last for years.
Rut
 
I have used Battery Tenders for several years now with no problems and the batteries are always good to go. Lack of worry is worth the price, IMHO.
 
One other thing. Pop those caps off and check the water level in the battery. Unless you have a gel cell, they all have water in them. Top them all up with distilled water. I do this on all my cars and motorcycles on occasion and get good service out of them.
 
Nelson,

I have used the HF $8 chargers for the last 3 winters, I do however take my battery out of the car and boat and put in the basement, they are always ready to go in the spring.

Mark
 
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