DIYbanter - battery float charger

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Herb and Eneva

December 2nd 07 12:21 PM

battery float charger

It`s winter time and cold and as usual the tractor battery is almost
dead. The regular charger and the trickle charger boils
out the water. A neighbor says he uses a " float charger". Can someone
tell me what a float charger is amd what does it do?
Thanks a lot

[email protected]

December 2nd 07 01:23 PM

battery float charger

On Dec 2, 7:21 am, (Herb and Eneva) wrote:
It`s winter time and cold and as usual the tractor battery is almost
dead. The regular charger and the trickle charger boils
out the water. A neighbor says he uses a " float charger". Can someone
tell me what a float charger is amd what does it do?
Thanks a lot

It's a smarter charger which brings a 12V battery up to full charge,
which is around 14 volts, then backs off to a low current and monitors
it to keep it at around 13 volts, which keeps it charged without over
charging it.

Art Todesco

December 2nd 07 01:26 PM

battery float charger

For my motorhome batteries I use a
product called Battery Tender. I have
one for the vehicle battery and one for
the house battery. These units, and
I'm sure there are other brands, are
designed for long term use. They are
made to prevent boiling and other
battery damage. Google battery tender.

Herb and Eneva wrote:
It`s winter time and cold and as usual the tractor battery is almost
dead. The regular charger and the trickle charger boils
out the water. A neighbor says he uses a " float charger". Can someone
tell me what a float charger is amd what does it do?
Thanks a lot

C & E[_2_]

December 2nd 07 01:54 PM

battery float charger

"Herb and Eneva" wrote in message
...
It`s winter time and cold and as usual the tractor battery is almost
dead. The regular charger and the trickle charger boils
out the water. A neighbor says he uses a " float charger". Can someone
tell me what a float charger is amd what does it do?
Thanks a lot

Here's one from Harbor Freight which I have been using for the past several
years with no complaints.
http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/cta...emnumber=42292

It's usually $15, on sale right now for $7.49. HF isn't known for quality
tools but I have had good use from the one that I have.

Floyd L. Davidson

December 2nd 07 05:33 PM

battery float charger

(Herb and Eneva) wrote:
It`s winter time and cold and as usual the tractor battery is almost
dead. The regular charger and the trickle charger boils
out the water. A neighbor says he uses a " float charger". Can someone
tell me what a float charger is amd what does it do?
Thanks a lot

For a lead acid battery there is a voltage at which it
will maintain its charge, but not overcharge or over
heat. That is called the "float voltage". Anything
higher will cause more charge to be applied, any thing
lower will allow the battery to slowly become
discharged.

For typical lead acid batteries the float voltage is
just about 13.1 volts.

Others have described various "smart chargers", that
will actually set a more or less regulated float
voltage. That is a good way to go, particularly if you
buy a good one that regulates well. Another way is to
judge the size of your battery, and purchase a very
small "trickle" charger. A 3 Amp charger is probably
too big. A 1 Amp charger will work fine for a regular
car sized battery. If it's something the size of a
motorcycle battery, get a 1/2 Amp or less.

If you go cheap, go with a small trickle charger. If
you decide to buy a "smart" charger, get a good one
(because an inexpensive one has the ability to fry your
battery).

--
Floyd L. Davidson http://www.apaflo.com/floyd_davidson
Ukpeagvik (Barrow, Alaska)

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