Trickle Charger question

[GimmeTheSpeed]

Hey guys, I just threw a new battery and alternator in the car.... and also bought a trickle charger... I was wondering if you guys that use the trickle chargers leave it on your cars all the time?... or do you go off and on? is charging at 2amps ok to just let stay hooked up all the time? I have a brand new battery, but figured I'd just keep it juiced... and a constant 2amps wouldn't hurt.... thx

 

[Neil - UK]

Leave mine on constantly, with no ill effects. Been using one for about 5 years

 

[JUCD VPR]

Where did you guys get your trickle charger and how much did it cost?

 

[Paul Hawker]

A 2 amp trickle charger will overcharge your battery if left on continously.

If you have a battery tender, it's circuit will recognize a fully charged battery, and turn itself off to avoid overcharging. If your battery falls below full charge, the tender will once again put in just enough juice to reach a full charge, then off again.

 

[Paul Hawker]

A 2 amp trickle charger will overcharge your battery if left on continously.

If you have a battery tender, it's circuit will recognize a fully charged battery, and turn itself off to avoid overcharging. If your battery falls below full charge, the tender will once again put in just enough juice to reach a full charge, then off again.

Vipers tend to drain their batterys faster than other cars when setting unused. (all the more reason to take them out for a spin once in a while.)

Battery tender $20-$30 at Wall Mart, KMart, Sears etc.

 

[joe117]

Your car should be able to sit for a couple of months without any battery problems.

Nothing wrong with a battery tender type charger.
But if you need one, there is probably something wrong with your electrical system.

And?
"Vipers tend to drain their batterys faster than other cars when setting unused"

Where do you get this?

 

[FLX109]

EEEEBAY

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=79845&item=5774197561&rd=1

 

[Shelby3]

Your car should be able to sit for a couple of months without any battery problems.

Nothing wrong with a battery tender type charger.
But if you need one, there is probably something wrong with your electrical system.

And?
"Vipers tend to drain their batterys faster than other cars when setting unused"

Where do you get this?

It's not a problem on the Gen I's. I've had it on both my Gen II's.

 

[Gerald Levin]

I've had one for a couple years with the "tail" just inside the drivers gill for easy hook up. I've been told that this prolongs the life of the battery and since the battery is tough to get to (for a few of us non-mechanics), it works for me.

 

[Neil - UK]

nearly all our members run this unit, it does what it says
http://www.accumate.co.uk/it010003.html

I found both the gen1 and gen2 will only just turn over and start upto about 3 weeks with the alarm on, if the charger isnt connected.

The alarm is a heavy drain on the battery

 

[Johann]

At the risk of incurring the wrath of purists, I use the cheapo Harbor Freight 1/2 amp trickle chargers on all my cars that sit and have never cooked a battery.

I put a plug in the metal box that covers the ECU so I can plug it in without raising the hood.

 

[Paul Hawker]

joe117.

Battery tenders are great for any battery operated device that is not used for months at a time.

Vipers stored for 4 Month winter or snow blowers stored for 8 Months of Summers. I also kept one on my seldom used Harley so I would not have to bump start it down the hill.

Gen II Vipers are well known for discharging their batteries when sitting for several months. As the batteries age they last even less long. The alarm, radio and even computers use a little electricity to maintain their memories. The batteries in Gen ll's also had a reputation for giving up after only a few years.

Using a battery tender to keep them at their optium charge is not a bad idea for stored vehicles.

These battery tenders are available for under $20, so not too much more than a <$10 .5 amp trickler.

.5 amp would be better than a 2 amp, which is a little too much. Tender varies amperage with battery condition.

 

[GT40DOC]

IF YOU ARE GOING TO GET A BATTERY TENDER ESPECIALLY THE ONE FROM E-BAY, I THINK YOU MIGHT WANT TO CONSIDER THE 12 VOLT PLUS AND NOT THE JR. THE JR. ONLY CAN PUT OUT .8 AMPS MAX WHICH IS NOT ENOUGH. THEY ARE FOR BIKES AND ATCS. THE PLUS IS MADE FOR AN AUTO AND WILL HANDLE THE VIPER QUITE WELL.

 

[JUCD VPR]

OK heres my question....here goes
If i'm overseas alot (because of being a U.S Marine) What would be the best choice? A trickle charger, or a battery tender? And whats the easiest way to hook one up seeing how the battery is where it is? My dads going to start the car at least once a week though so do i still need one? Thanks fellas..

 

[joe117]

"Battery tenders are great for any battery operated device that is not used for months at a time.
Vipers stored for 4 Month winter or snow blowers stored for 8 Months of Summers. I also kept one on my seldom used Harley so I would not have to bump start it down the hill."

A battery tender isn't a bad idea for cars stored for months.

Cars stored for weeks, that need a tender, have a problem.

Look in the electrical manual. There is a spec for the current drain.
If your car has more drain than it is supposed to,
then you have an electrical problem.
You can find out what it is and fix it or you can mask it with a battery tender.

Mustang660,
You should hook up a battery tender while you are overseas for long periods.
I believe the under the hood positive terminal would be the easiest place to get to.

As far as having your dad start the car every week,
I'm not sure that this is the best plan.

Perhaps some of the other guys on here will know.
I believe that might be a little more often than needed.

 

[Neil - UK]

go for a battery tender, the longest I've left mine continually connected is 3 months (over the winter period)

connection of the 'tail' is very easy and will take 10 minutes to fit, postive go's onto the postive terminal/jumper post, undo the nut and hold the other cables in place. Earth point is a factory bolt on the front chassis, which you will see sticking up behind the drivers side front wheel when the hood is up.

If you install it right the tail can be connected to the battery tender
without opening the hood.

The tender I use has the ability to charge though the cigarette lighter, but I've never tried it out. You just plug it straight into the socket and turn it on.

 

[JUCD VPR]

OK sounds good, so go with the battery tender and how often should i have pops start the car? Thanks for the advice JOE117, and Neil-UK

 

[Neil - UK]

opinions will vary on this there's no set time, I go with the less the better crowd.

when you decide to start let the engine reach operating temperatures and let the fan kick in and run for a short time before turning off. Also remember to turn on and run the A/C even if its winter.

A couple of layers of thick carpet under the tires, and tire air pressures increased up to the side wall maximum allowed will help prevent flat spotting

 

[JUCD VPR]

Neil-UK, Hey thanks for the tips i'll be sure to do that.

 

[GR8_ASP]

I agree with the less the better. I do not start the car over the winter at all. Prep is similar to a boat. Put in clean oil (I use non-synthetic for the winter). I also "fog" the engine, which is using a very llight weight oil and slowly let the combustion chambers get wetted and eventually kill the engine by over fogging. This is a normal practice for marine engines as they are outside over the winter and are very susceptible to having condensation form inside thenegine over winter. In teh spring I start it up and quickly change the oil (back to synthetic), filter, etc.

If you have the space pushing the car back and forth may help lubricate the diff and transmission. I do not do that as it is on a lift.

If you do start the engine run it until the oil gets hot. At idle speed that may take quite a while (for a Gen I/II. Gen III will heat the oil with the coolant. If the oil is not heated enough it will collect condensation from each start up and be soup by the end of the storage period. Because of that I prefer to prep the engine rather that start it during storage.

BTW I also use a battery tender. For the SRT I use a lighter plug adapter. Works great. For the RT/10 I installed the tender permanently and only had to plug it in. The plug was accessible with the hood closed via the side gill.

 

[JPL]

Any pics?

 

[Ray_from_NJ]

IF YOU ARE GOING TO GET A BATTERY TENDER ESPECIALLY THE ONE FROM E-BAY, I THINK YOU MIGHT WANT TO CONSIDER THE 12 VOLT PLUS AND NOT THE JR. THE JR. ONLY CAN PUT OUT .8 AMPS MAX WHICH IS NOT ENOUGH. THEY ARE FOR BIKES AND ATCS. THE PLUS IS MADE FOR AN AUTO AND WILL HANDLE THE VIPER QUITE WELL.

I've used the Deltran Battery Tender Jr. for over 4 years now without a problem. I keep it plugged in year round. I even accidently backed up over the transformer and it still works great!