Trickle Charger Recommendations

[Csmccharlie]

Any recommendations for a good trickle charger?

[chuckster57]

The Converter in your trailer. If your taking the battery out for the winter then Ill let someone that does that also answer.

[Csmccharlie]

Ya was thinking that or anytime its camped unplugged at the house

[LHaven]

A standard 20A household outlet and extension cord is enough just to keep the battery charged via the converter when parked at home; you don't need 30-50A just for that. (But be sure to check the fluid level regularly, it vapors off under charge.)

We have a lot of equipment at the ranch with gel cells that need trickle charging (driveway grader, horse trailer, and even our Jeep when we are away on extended RV trips), so we use this gadget to do them all at once. You can buy just the maintainer without the manifold if you only have one battery, then buy the manifold later if you need it.

[Csmccharlie]

Originally Posted by LHaven

A standard 20A household outlet and extension cord is enough just to keep the battery charged via the converter when parked at home; you don't need 30-50A just for that. (But be sure to check the fluid level regularly, it vapors off under charge.)

We have a lot of equipment at the ranch with gel cells that need trickle charging (driveway grader, horse trailer, and even our Jeep when we are away on extended RV trips), so we use this gadget to do them all at once. You can buy just the maintainer without the manifold if you only have one battery, then buy the manifold later if you need it.

Not familiar with check fluid levels on a battery

[tech740]

I use an auto float charger from harbor freight. I pull the batteries and keep them in a counter in my shed for the winter.

[LHaven]

Originally Posted by Csmccharlie

Not familiar with check fluid levels on a battery

https://www.rvrepairclub.com/video/r...ce-tips-009058

[Canonman]

Originally Posted by Csmccharlie

Not familiar with check fluid levels on a battery

Lead acid batteries are filled with electrolyte. Basically sulphuric acid. As the battery is charged, the electrolyte will boil and outgases thereby lowering the level of electrolyte in the battery. This can be replenished by adding distilled water to the battery as needed to bring the level back to normal. Normal is enough electrolyte to cover the lead plates.
If you look at the battery you'll see 6 screw off caps. You will need to unscrew these caps and visually inspect the electrolyte level in each cell.If you can see the tops of the lead plates add distilled water until they are covered. DO NOT overfill. Just enough to cover the plates.
I use a Battery Tender brand trickle charger to keep the batteries charged when I remove them for winter storage. Otherwise, just keep the trailer plugged in to shore power and monitor the battery electrolyte levels.

[Csmccharlie]

Originally Posted by tech740

I use an auto float charger from harbor freight. I pull the batteries and keep them in a counter in my shed for the winter.

like this?

https://www.harborfreight.com/automatic-battery-float-charger-42292.html

[markcee]

I've had no issues at all with this Noco Genius charger/maintainer.

I pull my battery between trips as we keep the trailer parked at a storage facility. I take it home and keep it connected to this maintainer.

[wiredgeorge]

If you have the battery in the trailer and have it on a Battery Tender, the tender won't keep up and the battery will eventually loose its charge. As already noted, if you have the trailer in your drive, use an extension cord and plug in the camper's power cord via an adapter.

[Customer1]

The RVs just stay plugged in and let the converter take care of the four batteries.

The motorcycles, tractor, and truck are connected to either a Deltran Battery Tender or a BatteryMINDer.

[tech740]

Originally Posted by Csmccharlie

like this?

https://www.harborfreight.com/automa...ger-42292.html

Yup that’s the one. Not high end or special but works great for what I use it for.

[flybouy]

Spend a little more and get a battery maintainer instead of just a trickle charger. They typically have a higher ampacity, desulfication capability and won’t overcharge the battery. Some inexpensive “trickle chargers” are no more than a constant voltage source at a very small amperage.
I use a battery maintainer for the rv battery while in storage (12V 105 Ah deep cycle) and for the riding mower, generator, etc.

[Csmccharlie]

Originally Posted by tech740

Yup that’s the one. Not high end or special but works great for what I use it for.

And you leave it on around the clock when you take the better off tee trailer?

[Northofu1]

I store my battery indoors for the winter. I charge it once a month seems to work for me. I do the same thing at work on seasonal equipment.
I use this one.
https://www.canadiantire.ca/en/pdp/m...-0111973p.html
They go on sale all the time.

[tech740]

Originally Posted by Csmccharlie

And you leave it on around the clock when you take the better off tee trailer?

I leave it in from October to April.

[ChuckS]

I just let the old WFCO converter charge and maintain my GC2 batteries.. check electrolyte level about every other month. No need to remove the batteries if you have shore power available... mine is plugged into a 15 amp outdoor house outlet.

[bbells]

On my trailers without solar i use a portable 230w panel and controller to keep the battery charged in the off season.

[blubuckaroo]

We store both our travel trailers at an RV storage that has no electricity to plug into.
I remove the batteries (3) and take them home when not used.
I keep maintained on a four bank Battery Tender.
Our portable generator is plugged in there also.
Here's the unit...
https://www.batterytender.com/4-Bank...ern-Hemisphere