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battery trickle chargers

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minnimolineman

12-02-2005 18:14:08

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Anyone have long term experience with the $18 auto float trickle chargers from Walmart? I'm thinking of getting some for several tractors that wont be run regularly where I am wanting to keep the batteries fresh. If I remeber right they can be set to either a 1 amp or a two amp charge rate. Is one better than the other or is it only a quicker charge till the auto float kicks it out of service??---MMM

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Catskill Pete

12-03-2005 09:37:25

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Re: battery trickle chargers in reply to minnimolineman, 12-02-2005 18:14:08

They work great, I have 3 of them. But I discovered the hard way that its worth spending a few bucks more for quality. My first one was/is a Shurecharge, Ive had it for about 6 years still works great. The next 2 were the HF cheapies. The first one lasted a year, the second 2 years. No fire or overheating or anything like that, they just died. Since then I replaced them with a couple of better [more expensive] ones and I"m happy.

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barnrat

12-03-2005 06:57:06

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Re: battery trickle chargers in reply to minnimolineman, 12-02-2005 18:14:08

I use one on my JD 4020 it works great. I wired in a quick disconnect so I could unplug it from the battery easily. I use the tractor every day and it's always been cold blooded so a fresh warm battery really helps.

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doogdoog

12-02-2005 23:52:13

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Re: battery trickle chargers in reply to minnimolineman, 12-02-2005 18:14:08

Aloha, Just be sure to check the battery water every so often and you will be in good shape.

Mahalo,
doogdoog

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Jim West TN

12-02-2005 23:09:24

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Re: battery trickle chargers in reply to minnimolineman, 12-02-2005 18:14:08

I used them on my houseboat and they worked fine for years instead of messing around with the auto marine charger that was on the boat when it started giving me problems. From Walmart, didn"t have a way to change the charge rate, but had lights to indicate when it was charging and when the battery was charged.
Jim

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old

12-02-2005 20:56:58

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Re: battery trickle chargers in reply to minnimolineman, 12-02-2005 18:14:08

The ones I really like are the solar ones cost a little more but cost the big goose egg to run plus they do a good job of keep them up. Only problem is they have to see the sun to work/

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T_Bone

12-03-2005 15:54:25

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Re: battery trickle chargers in reply to old, 12-02-2005 20:56:58

Hi old,

I too use alot of PV charging. I have two-US64w (4amps each), 15w, several 5w. I can use the 5w without a regulator without any harm to the battery or PV.

I've tested my 64w PV's and on a cloudy day they will do 1/2 of rated wattage output. It didn't really matter how cloudy it was as output was stable.

I've also checked them close to dusk and still get a 1amp charge rate. Not too bad for making sparks from the sun.

T_Bone

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12-02-2005 18:24:19

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Re: battery trickle chargers in reply to minnimolineman, 12-02-2005 18:14:08

Have 4 of them....float chargers...don't remember if they have a setting on them and I ain't going out to the barn to look...too cold. Anyhow...had one on a battery for better than a year and used that battery for a bit last week. It was fine. I put the others on equipment that I store over the winter. Don't even unhook the batteries, just hook up the charger.

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chrpmaster

12-02-2005 18:37:04

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Re: battery trickle chargers in reply to bo, 12-02-2005 18:24:19

Ditto what Bo said. I have two of them and they are great to maintain a charge on the tractor batterys. They also are great to "warm up" a battery in the winter for a few hours or all day if you want. they seem to top off the charge better than my regular charger too. maybe my warped perception but thats my story and I"m sticking to it ;)

I also got mine from the local Harbor Freight store for $7-9 each.

Andy

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12-02-2005 19:18:18

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Re: battery trickle chargers in reply to chrpmaster, 12-02-2005 18:37:04

be careful with the HF ones...I started with them and they worked fine for a bit and then I plugged one in and smelled burning plastic...it melted the case. Shortly after, another melted it's case. That's when I went and spent the $17/ for the Walmart ones. I still have a couple of good HF ones which I'm afraid to use. I can see the damn things shorting when I'm not there.

Now ain't it a pup when I tell you that and you now have doubts. Sorry, but I thought you might need to know.

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Coloken

12-02-2005 21:59:57

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Re: battery trickle chargers in reply to bo, 12-02-2005 19:18:18

Dang.. Just came home with one from HF today. 4.99 on sale. The float one. Was thinking about getting 3 or 4 for my friend. But thanks for the warning.
Kennyp

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12-03-2005 03:43:28

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Re: battery trickle chargers in reply to Coloken, 12-02-2005 21:59:57

You might be ok...dunno...the one that melted, I used to hook up a boat battery in Florida and leave it for 6 mths or so. I hooked it up and turned around and smelled something then and there. Yup...melted.
The second...forget exactly how it happened but it did, again, I was there to catch it...oh...I think I might have seen the case distorting. About the way I figured it, the Walmart ones were more expensive but much more substantial looking which means nothing I know, but I wouldn't have a clue about the internal works anyways, so you go with your best gut feel.

I don't know if it would have blown a circuit breaker shutting of electricity or cause a fire. I don't know if it would have failed like a light bulb and just sit there cause I unplugged it right off.

I suppose if it was on a battery that you see very often, you might risk it....I won't, still haven't pitched the two I still have. I will.

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