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914World.com _ 914World Garage _ Trickle charger questions

Posted by: bandjoey Jan 19 2019, 09:53 PM

I've used this HF battery trickle charger for several years. Plug it in and forget it for weeks at a time. Very low and slow charge.rate. Then one day my battery, coil, and pertronics all fried at the same time while out on the road.

The shop said never use a trickle charger for more than 6 hours a day. They said no one really knows why everything went out at once and the long term use of this charger was possibly the cause.

Sometimes the car sits up to 2 weeks without driving it.

If I pick up a new charger do you think it should it be used for just a few hours at a time?
Will a different brand be better for our cars and how long should it be connected to the battery?

If I don't use a trickle charger how long do I need to drive the car to top off the battery?


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Posted by: mepstein Jan 19 2019, 10:08 PM

I know many people who use trickle chargers on their cars, Porsche’s and other high end vehicles. Some with 20-50 cars in their collections. Never heard the issue that you had.

I use this one. Works great.


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Posted by: Mark Henry Jan 19 2019, 10:10 PM

If you want to leave it on all the time you need a smart charger.

For winter storage I take all of my batteries out, summer cars, lawn tractor, boat, etc. and put them on a bench (never on concrete floor) and I charge them once a month at 2amps only.

Posted by: mepstein Jan 19 2019, 10:10 PM

Someone who understands electronics (not me) can probably answer your question properly.

Posted by: bandjoey Jan 19 2019, 11:01 PM

What is the difference in a Battery Tender and a Smart Charger?

Posted by: PlaysWithCars Jan 20 2019, 01:51 AM

I used to use a Harbor Freight trickle charger until it cooked a battery. Switched to Battery Minder brand chargers and never looked back. Been using them for 10+ years and never had a problem. I leave them on long term but never 24/7/365 only because I have more batteries than chargers so I need to switch them around. I like the desulfation feature on them to extend battery life.

Posted by: Valy Jan 20 2019, 02:05 AM

The charger can't fry your coil, ignition since the key switch is off. It may damage the battery but only if the charger goes bad. And the type of damage to the battery will cause it to lose max voltage.

Posted by: TravisNeff Jan 20 2019, 06:05 AM

I use a NOCO Genius smart charger

https://www.amazon.com/NOCO-G3500-UltraSafe-Battery-Charger/dp/B004LWVEKS/ref=asc_df_B004LWVEKS/?tag=hyprod-20&linkCode=df0&hvadid=312158556601&hvpos=1o1&hvnetw=g&hvrand=15434111524159713621&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=c&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=9030031&hvtargid=pla-390049749499&psc=1

Posted by: Rleog Jan 20 2019, 06:43 AM

You might also consider CTEK smart trickle chargers. I have two of them and have been using them for years. They have settings for lead-acid and AGM batteries.

https://smartercharger.com


Posted by: campbellcj Jan 20 2019, 08:00 AM

I use a Porsche-branded CTEK (mostly on other cars) and it's great though pricey. These smart chargers automatically turn-off or cycle on/off when they detect the battery is all charged-up.

Posted by: Olympic 914 Jan 20 2019, 09:52 AM

QUOTE(Rleog @ Jan 20 2019, 07:43 AM) *

You might also consider CTEK smart trickle chargers. I have two of them and have been using them for years. They have settings for lead-acid and AGM batteries.

https://smartercharger.com



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CTEK - 7002 has modes for AGM and de-sulfication.

Use mine plugged into the cig lighter socket. comes with battery connection.
Only odd thing, the ends are not usual sae. but you can get an adapter.


Posted by: Mark Henry Jan 20 2019, 10:20 AM

I've used a bunch of CTEKs, many 996 customers cars have them, seen them fail to charge. dry.gif
meh... I'll stick with my battery bench and charge them on a schedule.

Posted by: bandjoey Jan 20 2019, 10:42 AM

.75a 1.1a 3.5a. ?
What size is best for the 914

Posted by: Amphicar770 Jan 20 2019, 11:49 AM

I keep several card on a multi-line smart battery tender, no problems. Harbor Freight charger ... I think you have your answer / culprit.

Posted by: Tom_T Jan 20 2019, 12:53 PM

Bill - as others have said -

1. For long term storage with it continuously hooked-up, you'll need the type which has the "smart" system which senses when, what & how much the battery needs for recharging, as well as when to stop charging. This is true for both the plug-in & solar types.

2. HF mostly sells low end junky stuff prone to fail - which is why they only warranty their products for 90 days, unless you pay more for an extended warranty, in order for them to cover their added costs for inevitable returns. Anything more complicated the zip ties, tape or basic tools - get it elsewhere, or at least get their extended warranty if you must buy a "smart charger" there at your own risk.

But remember that their warranty won't cover damage to anything else like your coil, etc.!

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Tom
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Posted by: branston Jan 20 2019, 01:07 PM

I have a few of these Schumacher maintainers attached to my cars all winter long without issues. Including my 914

I like the hook lets you hang it on the car and nice when stored 6v/12v it is used on my early vehicles too.

https://www.batterychargers.com/en/products/battery-chargers/sc2-2a-6v12v-automatic-battery-maintainer

cheaper else where on line, let me Google it for you:

http://lmgtfy.com/?q=schumacher+sc2

Posted by: Big Len Jan 20 2019, 02:03 PM

If you're not using the car for 2 weeks at most, you shouldn't need a trickle charger. What's the age of your battery?

Posted by: r_towle Jan 20 2019, 11:13 PM

Smart charger will charge till full, then shut off.
It will monitor the battery and when it sees the battery go below a certain level, it will turn on and charge again.

Constant charging will melt the lead and cause a short in the battery.

Posted by: UROpartsman Jan 21 2019, 12:50 PM

QUOTE(mepstein @ Jan 19 2019, 08:08 PM) *
I use this one. Works great.

X2, Battery Tender float chargers are very good, probably the most common model for large car collections.

Storing batteries on a concrete floor used to be an issue due to moisture, but that ended when the manufacturers started using plastic cases. https://northeastbattery.com/do-cement-floors-ruin-car-batteries/

Posted by: bandjoey Jan 21 2019, 03:53 PM

thanks for all the info. since I'm a shade tree mechanic, and like automated tools, the smart charger is the way to go... biggrin.gif

Posted by: amfab Jan 21 2019, 04:17 PM

I get so paranoid that when I use a trickle charger, or any charger, I also put it on a timer so it only works for 4 or 6 hours a day.

-Andrew

Posted by: Rand Jan 21 2019, 04:25 PM

I abide by the smart charger rules. One question:

Were they made for cars?

Posted by: tmc914 Jan 21 2019, 09:40 PM

[quote
If I don't use a trickle charger how long do I need to drive the car to top off the battery?
[/quote]

There is no electricity available for me where I store my car so about every 2 or 3 weeks it is time for me to visit and start the car up. I let it run for about 20 min. When the snow starts to clear I try to drive it a bit near where it is stored. Car spends about 6 months in storage each year.

Posted by: mepstein Jan 21 2019, 10:03 PM

You could always take your battery with you when you leave the car in storage.

Posted by: 90quattrocoupe Jan 23 2019, 08:58 PM

I use this one. I got 10 years out of my trailer battery and 8 years out of the battery in my Audi.

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Posted by: PlaysWithCars Jan 24 2019, 12:27 AM

QUOTE(90quattrocoupe @ Jan 23 2019, 06:58 PM) *

I use this one. I got 10 years out of my trailer battery and 8 years out of the battery in my Audi.

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BINGO! That's the one I have and use to maintain multiple batteries (at once). I also have one of their simpler trickle chargers w/ desulfation to hook to a single vehicle.

Posted by: thelogo Jan 24 2019, 04:09 AM

[quote name='tmc914' date='Jan 21 2019, 07:40 PM' post='2682815']
[quote
If I don't use a trickle charger how long do I need to drive the car to top off the battery?
[/quote]

There is no electricity available for me where I store my car so about every 2 or 3 weeks it is time for me to visit and start the car up. I let it run for about 20 min. When the snow starts to clear I try to drive it a bit near where it is stored. Car spends about 6 months in storage each year.
[/quote]


No electricity available but is there sun or solar available.
I have seen chargers wired to a solar panel . Thats better then nothing? wub.gif

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