recommendations for trickle charger?

[ichthos]

I want to keep my bugeye fully charged, and some of you have mentioned using a trickle charger in between winter start ups. Can someone recommend a trickle charger they have been happy with and a source? Is something that is left on all the time? How do you limit the battery from being overcharged?
Kevin

 

[dklawson]

There was a time when I would have endorsed the Harbor Freight float chargers. I have used them on several of my LBCs. At first they seemed to work well but at one point one such charger started drying out the cells in the battery of our GT6. I switched to a different unit and tried again after battery replacement. This time (perhaps unrelated) the battery would measure (by voltage) that it was fully charged but it was unable to turn the engine over at all.

I have now switched to the Battery-Tender Jr. So far it has performed well but we have only been using it for a year. I purchased mine through Amazon as it was the lowest price I found and it qualified for free shipping. I have not heard any bad stories about the Battery Tender line of products.

 

[TulsaFred]

I use the Schumaker ones from Walmart. Work great for about $20. 1.5 or 2 amp. I like them better than the "float" chargers which just maintain but can't charge, even slowly.

 

[61frogeye]

I have been using Battery Tender brand units (2 of them) for a few years and they work great. They will charge up a battery that is not fully charged, then hold it fully charged without damaging it. I bought them on Amazon.

 

[Westfield_XI]

I too have had great success with the Battery Tenders over the years, I think I have two in operation now. However, as a cheaper alternative, you can use your regular 12v charger if you plug it into the light on your garage door opener via an adapter. It will then only charge when you open and close your garage and then only for 5 minutes or so. This won't work if you are going away on vacation, but for a car left parked over the winter it should be fine.

 

[dklawson]

alternative, you can use your regular 12v charger if you plug it into the light on your garage door opener via an adapter. It will then only charge when you open and close your garage and then only for 5 minutes or so.

That's a very clever idea. Very neat.