Is it useful to have a battery trickle charger mounted under the hood and used at times particularly in very cold weather.
What are the merits of a trickle charger?
Thanks in advance Denny B
- posted
20 years ago
Is an Onboard Trickle Charger useful for a Car Battery.
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- posted
20 years ago
Well, you would be better off using a small amount of current to keep the battery and the engine block slightly warmer than the surroundings. Charging a battery just because it is cold is not a very good idea. A cold battery usually has less cranking capacity because most chemical reactions slow down when the chemicals are cold. Charging can in some cases actually damage a battery when it is cold.
Cheers!
Chip Shults
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- posted
20 years ago
It all depends on how long the battery is to be stored? They like being used. Float charging is the best way to store a lead acid battery long term (not trickle charging).
What's the difference? Well trickle charging will eventually fully charge the battery and possibly cause gassing and electrolyte loss.. Float charging stops the charging process at a slightly lower voltage. The battery won't be
100% full (but will be very close to full). The lower voltage stops or considerably reduces gassing and electrolyte loss.The battery manufacturer can provide details of the correct voltages for a full charge and float charge.
cold
actually