Charging the battery -- how long is okay?
 

On Thu, 14 May 2009 10:31:55 -0700 (PDT), wrote:



Usually, nothing is wrong. Modern cars with computers have a small
draw for things like the stereo, electric seat memory, clock,
computer, etc.

Probably the case with the Grand Am, but the Corsica is bare bones and
loses the juice too fast.
Besides, it loses it much faster when it's been wet outside.
Maybe I'll put a meter on it and start pulling fuses when I get the
gumption.

--Vic

Charging the battery -- how long is okay?
 

Don White wrote:

I'm in a similar situation.
A 15' open aluminum boat with a 25 hp outboard with electric start.
I also have a MinnKota electric. When I first got the boat, I seemed to
discharge the battery fairly quickly, but the PO warned me that there might
be a nick in the wire that travels to the fish finder/depth gague
transducer.
I slathered liquid electrical tape all over the wire, cleaned & tightened
the connections to the battery and all seems well.
I do recharge the battery after each trip when I get back home.



You should have two batteries, dummy.

Charging the battery -- how long is okay?
 

"BetaB4" wrote in message
...
Tim wrote:

My question is this. Why do you feel you need a battery charger on the
boat?

I probably should have explained that I have a 13-foot aluminum boat
with a 9.9 HP gas engine and a 12-volt electric motor. I bought the boat
about a year ago and I have only used it a few times so far using the
electric
motor. So, when I take the boat out and use the electric motor, I need to
recharge the battery when I get home.



Just use a cheap timer to charge the battery for 10-12 hours after you
return from fishing. The battery sitting unused will not discharge much.

Charging the battery -- how long is okay?
 

Calif Bill wrote:
"BetaB4" wrote in message
motor. So, when I take the boat out and use the electric motor, I
need to recharge the battery when I get home.

Just use a cheap timer to charge the battery for 10-12 hours after you
return from fishing. The battery sitting unused will not discharge
much.

About using a timer..., if I use a timer and the timer turns off the power
to the battery charger when the time is up, the battery charger will still
be set to "ON" and it will still be connected to the battery. Is there any
problem with that?

Somehow, that seems like the battery charger circuit will still be connected
to the battery, and the battery will discharge back through the battery
charger. On the other hand, if the battery charger switch is set to "OFF",
and the battery charger is left connected to the battery, I assume that the
circuit between the battery and the battery charger is disconnected.

But, with the timer approach, there is no way to switch the battery charger
switch to the "OFF" position at the end of the pre-set elapsed time.

Charging the battery -- how long is okay?
 

"BetaB4" wrote in message
...
Calif Bill wrote:
"BetaB4" wrote in message
motor. So, when I take the boat out and use the electric motor, I
need to recharge the battery when I get home.

Just use a cheap timer to charge the battery for 10-12 hours after you
return from fishing. The battery sitting unused will not discharge
much.

About using a timer..., if I use a timer and the timer turns off the power
to the battery charger when the time is up, the battery charger will still
be set to "ON" and it will still be connected to the battery. Is there
any problem with that?

Somehow, that seems like the battery charger circuit will still be
connected to the battery, and the battery will discharge back through the
battery charger. On the other hand, if the battery charger switch is set
to "OFF", and the battery charger is left connected to the battery, I
assume that the circuit between the battery and the battery charger is
disconnected.

But, with the timer approach, there is no way to switch the battery
charger switch to the "OFF" position at the end of the pre-set elapsed
time.


Never saw a problem with the charger I used. I very much doubt any dumb
charger has any difference from it being off and no power to the charger.

Charging the battery -- how long is okay?
 

Calif Bill wrote:
"BetaB4" wrote in message

About using a timer..., if I use a timer and the timer turns off the
power to the battery charger when the time is up, the battery
charger will still be set to "ON" and it will still be connected to
the battery. Is there any problem with that?

Never saw a problem with the charger I used. I very much doubt any
dumb charger has any difference from it being off and no power to the
charger.

Now, I'm getting curious, so I tried a Google search on this question. Not
too much info so far, but here's what I did:

I did a Google search for "leaving an unplugged battery charger connected to
battery" (without the quotation marks). One of the results was this:

http://www.hydrolynx.com/_manuals/5030.pdf

It says,

"To remove the battery charger after the charging has been completed, unplug
the charger
from the power outlet before removing the terminal lugs or connector from
the battery.

Remove the terminal lugs from the battery terminals immediately. Do not
leave a fully

charged battery connected to an unplugged battery charger. In some
instances, the

charger will drain the battery through the power transformer."

Charging the battery -- how long is okay?
 

BetaB4 wrote:
Calif Bill wrote:
"BetaB4" wrote in message
motor. So, when I take the boat out and use the electric motor, I
need to recharge the battery when I get home.

Just use a cheap timer to charge the battery for 10-12 hours after you
return from fishing. The battery sitting unused will not discharge
much.

About using a timer..., if I use a timer and the timer turns off the power
to the battery charger when the time is up, the battery charger will still
be set to "ON" and it will still be connected to the battery. Is there any
problem with that?

Somehow, that seems like the battery charger circuit will still be connected
to the battery, and the battery will discharge back through the battery
charger. On the other hand, if the battery charger switch is set to "OFF",
and the battery charger is left connected to the battery, I assume that the
circuit between the battery and the battery charger is disconnected.

But, with the timer approach, there is no way to switch the battery charger
switch to the "OFF" position at the end of the pre-set elapsed time.


There might be blocking diodes to prevent reverse current flow. Check
with the manufacturer or do your own experiment to see what happens.

Charging the battery -- how long is okay?
 

On May 15, 1:49*pm, "BetaB4" wrote:
Calif Bill wrote:
"BetaB4" wrote in message
motor. *So, when I take the boat out and use the electric motor, I
need to recharge the battery when I get home.
Just use a cheap timer to charge the battery for 10-12 hours after you
return from fishing. *The battery sitting unused will not discharge
much.

About using a timer..., if I use a timer and the timer turns off the power
to the battery charger when the time is up, the battery charger will still
be set to "ON" and it will still be connected to the battery. *Is there any
problem with that?

Somehow, that seems like the battery charger circuit will still be connected
to the battery, and the battery will discharge back through the battery
charger. *On the other hand, if the battery charger switch is set to "OFF",
and the battery charger is left connected to the battery, I assume that the
circuit between the battery and the battery charger is disconnected.

But, with the timer approach, there is no way to switch the battery charger
switch to the "OFF" position at the end of the pre-set elapsed time.

Actually, your battery charger has diodes in it (one way electrical
valves) that allow the current to flow to the battery but not back to
the charger. you shouldnt have any problem there.

Charging the battery -- how long is okay?
 

On May 15, 3:42*pm, "BetaB4" wrote:
Calif Bill wrote:
"BetaB4" wrote in message

About using a timer..., if I use a timer and the timer turns off the
power to the battery charger when the time is up, the battery
charger will still be set to "ON" and it will still be connected to
the battery. *Is there any problem with that?

Never saw a problem with the charger I used. *I very much doubt any
dumb charger has any difference from it being off and no power to the
charger.

Now, I'm getting curious, so I tried a Google search on this question. *Not
too much info so far, but here's what I did:

I did a Google search for "leaving an unplugged battery charger connected to
battery" (without the quotation marks). *One of the results was this:

http://www.hydrolynx.com/_manuals/5030.pdf

It says,

"To remove the battery charger after the charging has been completed, unplug
the charger
from the power outlet before removing the terminal lugs or connector from
the battery.

Remove the terminal lugs from the battery terminals immediately. Do not
leave a fully

charged battery connected to an unplugged battery charger. In some
instances, the

charger will drain the battery through the power transformer."

That's the key right the

"In *SOME* instances, the charger will drain the battery through the
power transformer."

Charging the battery -- how long is okay?
 

Thanks all.

Based on what everyone wrote, I've been looking for an "automatic" battery
charger. I checked Harbor Freight and one person suggested.

Here's the instruction manual for one Harbor Freight battery charger:

http://www.harborfreight.com/manuals...6999/66783.pdf

On Pages 8 and 9 of the manual, it talks about not leaving the charger on
and the possibility of the battery overheating with the charger on. So, I'm
a little confused. Does the automatic shutoff actually work or not?


"BetaB4" wrote in message
...
I have a battery charger for charging the 12-volt boat battery. The
charger has two settings -- 2 amps or 6 amps.

My question is, if I have the charger set at 2 amps, how long is it okay
for me to leave the charger on? My boat is in a garage at a location that
I usually only get to about once a week or so. Is it okay if the charger
is left on at the 2-amp setting for say, a week?