Is an Onboard Trickle Charger useful for a Car Battery.

[Denny B]

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

 

[Sir Charles W. Shults III]

"Denny B" <dmrbaptie@sprint.ca> wrote in message
news:6O_Ub.1645$Ps4.11393@newscontent-01.sprint.ca...

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?

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

 

[CWatters]

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.






"Sir Charles W. Shults III" <nowayjose@planetpluto.com> wrote in message
news:mt%Ub.22989$4X.487818@twister.tampabay.rr.com...

"Denny B" <dmrbaptie@sprint.ca> wrote in message
news:6O_Ub.1645$Ps4.11393@newscontent-01.sprint.ca...
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?

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