My old diesel tractor wouldn't start the other day because the ancient
battery on it finally gave up the ghost.

I have a small car battery charger, but it is limited by the length of
its extension cord.

So, I'm wondering about several products:

1. The "combo" battery jump starter/charger devices I see around these
days. Don't know anything about them. Might be a good thing to have on a
boat, if you remember to keep its battery charged.

2. A really good battery charger, rejuvenator.

Suggestions?

Thanks!

Hello Harry,

My suggestion? Get a longer extension cord for your charger.

If the battery is at the end of its life, get a new battery.

If the battery routinely (through infrequent use of the tractor) gets
fully discharged, keep it on a permanent trickle charge. Either remove
the battery and carry it to the charger (especially good in the winter
if the charger is indoors) or put in a more permanent extension cord to
charge the battery in place.

Chuck






Harry.Krause wrote:
My old diesel tractor wouldn't start the other day because the ancient
battery on it finally gave up the ghost.

I have a small car battery charger, but it is limited by the length of
its extension cord.

So, I'm wondering about several products:

1. The "combo" battery jump starter/charger devices I see around these
days. Don't know anything about them. Might be a good thing to have on a
boat, if you remember to keep its battery charged.

2. A really good battery charger, rejuvenator.

Suggestions?

Thanks!

Harry.Krause wrote:
My old diesel tractor wouldn't start the other day because the ancient
battery on it finally gave up the ghost.

I have a small car battery charger, but it is limited by the length of
its extension cord.

So, I'm wondering about several products:

1. The "combo" battery jump starter/charger devices I see around these
days. Don't know anything about them. Might be a good thing to have on a
boat, if you remember to keep its battery charged.

2. A really good battery charger, rejuvenator.

Suggestions?

Thanks!

I've got one of those power pack type starter devices from Northern
Tool. Just okay in my opinion. Might be okay for an outboard, so I'm
thinking of keeping it in the boat. If your tractor, like mine often
gets discharged because of infrequent use, then what I did was get a
smallish solar charger, and keep it hooked up as a trickle charger all
the time. That works well for me.

wrote:
Harry.Krause wrote:
My old diesel tractor wouldn't start the other day because the ancient
battery on it finally gave up the ghost.

I have a small car battery charger, but it is limited by the length of
its extension cord.

So, I'm wondering about several products:

1. The "combo" battery jump starter/charger devices I see around these
days. Don't know anything about them. Might be a good thing to have on a
boat, if you remember to keep its battery charged.

2. A really good battery charger, rejuvenator.

Suggestions?

Thanks!

I've got one of those power pack type starter devices from Northern
Tool. Just okay in my opinion. Might be okay for an outboard, so I'm
thinking of keeping it in the boat. If your tractor, like mine often
gets discharged because of infrequent use, then what I did was get a
smallish solar charger, and keep it hooked up as a trickle charger all
the time. That works well for me.



A solar charger with a cut-off to prevent cooking the battery?

Harry.Krause wrote:
wrote:
Harry.Krause wrote:
My old diesel tractor wouldn't start the other day because the ancient
battery on it finally gave up the ghost.

I have a small car battery charger, but it is limited by the length of
its extension cord.

So, I'm wondering about several products:

1. The "combo" battery jump starter/charger devices I see around these
days. Don't know anything about them. Might be a good thing to have on a
boat, if you remember to keep its battery charged.

2. A really good battery charger, rejuvenator.

Suggestions?

Thanks!

I've got one of those power pack type starter devices from Northern
Tool. Just okay in my opinion. Might be okay for an outboard, so I'm
thinking of keeping it in the boat. If your tractor, like mine often
gets discharged because of infrequent use, then what I did was get a
smallish solar charger, and keep it hooked up as a trickle charger all
the time. That works well for me.



A solar charger with a cut-off to prevent cooking the battery?

No cut-off needed. 5 PEAK watts, and that's at 100% efficiency.
Nighttime, nothing, cloudy, nothing, partial sun, very little. At 5
watts, it's still just a trickle, and wont' cook the battery. I've
checked mine at full sun, and the battery never has boiled. What's
more, with a trickle, I think it's actually better for the battery than
discharge/charge, let sit for six months, charge/discharge.

wrote in message

......then what I did was get a
smallish solar charger, and keep it hooked up as a trickle charger all
the time. That works well for me.

If you know, or know someone who works for, a VW dealer, that could be a
good source ( i.e., $0). Every new VW comes off the transport at the dealer
with a small solar charger wired to the battery and suction-cupped to the
inside of the windshield.

"John Gaquin" wrote in message

If you know, or know someone who works for, a VW dealer, that could be a
good source ( i.e., $0). Every new VW comes off the transport at the
dealer with a small solar charger wired to the battery and suction-cupped
to the inside of the windshield.

Clarification: the panel is about 10" x 10", and is not actually hard-wired
to the battery. The panel cable merely plugs into the cigarette lighter,
providing enough trickle to keep the battery alive.

John Gaquin wrote:
"John Gaquin" wrote in message

If you know, or know someone who works for, a VW dealer, that could be a
good source ( i.e., $0). Every new VW comes off the transport at the
dealer with a small solar charger wired to the battery and suction-cupped
to the inside of the windshield.


Clarification: the panel is about 10" x 10", and is not actually hard-wired
to the battery. The panel cable merely plugs into the cigarette lighter,
providing enough trickle to keep the battery alive.


Ever see those hugh vehicle transporters. They come in here all the
time. Those ships are all closed in and I doubt the vehicles would see
much light for the trip over.
http://www.portofhalifax.ca/AbsPage....iteid=1&lang=1

Go to Ebay you will find these solar gadgets under various headings: Car
access. alternative energy.electronics,home...
don't take "not found" for an answer.
Greetings mike
"John Gaquin" wrote in message
...

"John Gaquin" wrote in message

If you know, or know someone who works for, a VW dealer, that could be a
good source ( i.e., $0). Every new VW comes off the transport at the
dealer with a small solar charger wired to the battery and suction-cupped
to the inside of the windshield.

Clarification: the panel is about 10" x 10", and is not actually
hard-wired to the battery. The panel cable merely plugs into the
cigarette lighter, providing enough trickle to keep the battery alive.

SISC wrote:
Go to Ebay you will find these solar gadgets under various headings: Car
access. alternative energy.electronics,home...
don't take "not found" for an answer.
Greetings mike
"John Gaquin" wrote in message
...

"John Gaquin" wrote in message

If you know, or know someone who works for, a VW dealer, that could be a
good source ( i.e., $0). Every new VW comes off the transport at the
dealer with a small solar charger wired to the battery and suction-cupped
to the inside of the windshield.

Clarification: the panel is about 10" x 10", and is not actually
hard-wired to the battery. The panel cable merely plugs into the
cigarette lighter, providing enough trickle to keep the battery alive.




Saw a bunch on sale at Costco today. 5W models at $ 49.95 CDN I believe.