Date: Tue, 14 Sep 2004 15:37:31 -0600
Reply-To: bhs73@SPYMAC.COM
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: Mark Edwards <bhs73@SPYMAC.COM>
Subject: Re: The good trickle charger
In-Reply-To: <vanagon%2004091416022078@GERRY.VANAGON.COM>
>Would someone more knowledgeable about batteries please respond. I have a
>primary battery for the engine and various accessories and a secondary
>battery for this 89 Westy's rear needs -- refrigerator, lights, etc. I
>use the Van only enough in the winter to keep the interior engine parts
>oiled, and to engage the clutch and run it either idling for a short
>while or for a short drive. Question: Should I have a trickle charger
>that I plug into my house current while the Westy is parked in the
>driveway in the winter? If so, should I have two trickle chargers?
>Finally, why would I need trickle chargers if running the engine seems to
>charge the batteries? Thank you.
Hi Dan,
Batteries will self discharge while they sit, and also lose capacity in
the cold. Starting the van will help keep them up to snuff, but it is
better to keep them fully charged with some kind of small trickle charge.
I use a power supply/wall wort from a video game or a battery charger.
They are plentifuly in thrift stores and other such places. Under the idea
of anything is better than nothing, find one rated 12V @ up to 1 amp. Most
won't put up more than that. WIre up a cigarette lighter plug, and plug it
in. That will keep the battery from losing any of its charge, and its not
really enough to boil off any of the electrolyte. If you are concerned
about boiling them, just use 300ma to 500ma. One or two will do, depending
on how they batts are connected. I have been using one on my van for
years, all the time, as I sometimes go weeks between getting to enjoy it.
This way, no matter how long you go between starts, the battery will be
full when you do start it up.
BTW, I mentioned this before, but Allstate allows me to suspend the
liability coverage on my van which reduces the premium, in my case, from
$35/mo to $1/mo. That deal also allows me to drive the van for four days
each month for 'excercise' which is a good deal in the off season. I don't
drive it in the winter, so tha works great for me. If you are cheap like
me, you might check it out :-)
John
P.S. Cigarette lighters make lousy connections, so check that the wall
wort is warm, in order to verify that it is plugged in correctly
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