Jubei

Hey guys, my car isnt going to be driven this winter and it's in the garage. Can you recommend a good trickle charger I can connect to my battery to keep it charged until the spring time?

JonGTR

I use a black and decker. Simple and cheap.



https://www.walmart.com/ip/BLACK-DEC...&wl13=&veh=sem

Visionz

Jon, do you leave yours on for a long time? I have always just disconnected my battery and brought it inside and set it in my basement. But I wouldnt mind getting a small charger like that for less than $20. Do you see any issues if I were to get it and then leave it plugged in until April?

Stocker

Lead-acid batteries prefer to be stored fully charged in a cool location. A garage in winter with a trickle charger is excellent treatment - preferable by far to sitting inside slowly sulfating at room temperature. Just be sure it doesn't get cold enough to freeze the electrolyte, if you have a battery prone to freezing (i.e., flooded).

Visionz

Do the trickle chargers get hot or anything to worry about? Keeping something plugged in to charge a battery for 24/7 for 6 months seems like it could be a fire hazard or some other issue.

JonGTR

I've had mine for about 6 months and have left it plugged in ever since. It's a trickle charger, not a regular charger, so it doesn't get hot. It is sitting in the engine bay with the hood closed.

i8acobra

I've had 3 Battery Tenders for a couple of decades and they've never failed. I have two I use on my bikes and one on my '87 Hardbody.



These are the ones I have, but they also have smaller ones for 1/2 the price:



https://smile.amazon.com/Battery-Ten...battery+tender

Visionz

Thanks guys! I think I'll invest in the cheapy one that Jon posted!