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?

Gene wrote:

Cutting to the chase.... it *should*, no, rather, it MUST. Harbor
Freight sells cheap crap made overseas. Put some money into this thing
and do it right.

A charger should charge at a minimum of three rates:

1) Bulk Phase - maybe at 40-80 amps until the battery is charged to
about 75% of full charge.

2) Acceptance Phase - battery voltage is maintained at 14.4V and the
amperage is reduced. That should charge the remaining 25% of the
battery.

3) Float Phase - (and this directly addresses your question) voltage
is reduced to 13.3V. This will maintain the battery without boiling
off the electrolyte.

The best chargers employ an equalization phase.

Here is some worthwhile reading material:

http://www.westmarine.com/webapp/wcs...ryCharging.htm

http://www.batteryuniversity.com/


Thanks. That's all good information. Now the question is where to find the
right kind of charger. So far, when I look at what is for sale in stores,
the information is cryptic. I can't quite tell what it means -- just like
the Harbor Freight battery manual is vague about how it works, whether it
will shut off, etc.

I know this can't be all that complicated to figure out. I guess I'll just
keep shopping until I see what looks right.

Gene -

Any ideas where I can find a pair of *quality* battery clips to attach
to my existing battery charger? Probably 12 gauge wire to the charger,
need oversized clips to attach to the battery lugs. I've about exhausted
the hardware/electrical outlets in this area.

Thanks...hk

On May 23, 12:38*pm, HK wrote:
Gene -

Any ideas where I can find a pair of *quality* battery clips to attach
to my existing battery charger? Probably 12 gauge wire to the charger,
need oversized clips to attach to the battery lugs. I've about exhausted
the hardware/electrical outlets in this area.

Thanks...hk

You're kidding, right?
You really can't find them???????

HK wrote:
Gene -

Any ideas where I can find a pair of *quality* battery clips to attach
to my existing battery charger? Probably 12 gauge wire to the charger,
need oversized clips to attach to the battery lugs. I've about exhausted
the hardware/electrical outlets in this area.

Thanks...hk

Here are a few places that sell them:

http://tinyurl.com/battclips


--
Reginald P. Smithers III, Esq.

This Newsgroup post is a natural product. The slight variations in
spelling and grammar enhance its individual character and beauty and in
no way are to be considered flaws or defects

On May 23, 11:38*am, HK wrote:
Gene -

Any ideas where I can find a pair of *quality* battery clips to attach
to my existing battery charger? Probably 12 gauge wire to the charger,
need oversized clips to attach to the battery lugs. I've about exhausted
the hardware/electrical outlets in this area.

Thanks...hk

Think "Vise Grips", Herr Krause.

"Vise Grips" are the heavy duty all purpose battery clamps that even
you might be able to figure out how to operate.

wrote:
On May 23, 11:38 am, HK wrote:
Gene -

Any ideas where I can find a pair of *quality* battery clips to attach
to my existing battery charger? Probably 12 gauge wire to the charger,
need oversized clips to attach to the battery lugs. I've about exhausted
the hardware/electrical outlets in this area.

Thanks...hk

Think "Vise Grips", Herr Krause.

"Vise Grips" are the heavy duty all purpose battery clamps that even
you might be able to figure out how to operate.

It's really interesting that an expert welder, as Harry has claimed to
be, doesn't know where to look for quality electrical spring clamps.

On May 25, 6:28*am, jim7856 wrote:
wrote:
On May 23, 11:38 am, HK wrote:
Gene -

Any ideas where I can find a pair of *quality* battery clips to attach
to my existing battery charger? Probably 12 gauge wire to the charger,
need oversized clips to attach to the battery lugs. I've about exhausted
the hardware/electrical outlets in this area.

Thanks...hk

Think "Vise Grips", Herr Krause.

"Vise Grips" are the heavy duty all purpose battery clamps that even
you might be able to figure out how to operate.

It's really interesting that an expert welder, as Harry has claimed to
be, doesn't know where to look for quality electrical spring clamps.

Welder
Mechanical Engineer
Yale grad
Writer
World Traveler
Competitive Sailing Captain
Photographer
Union Activist
Computer Designer
Software Expert

Is there anything that Harry isn't an expert at?
I wonder, with all of those skills, how he has any time to post here
constantly.

Gene wrote:
On Sat, 23 May 2009 12:38:05 -0400, HK wrote:

Gene -

Any ideas where I can find a pair of *quality* battery clips to attach
to my existing battery charger? Probably 12 gauge wire to the charger,
need oversized clips to attach to the battery lugs. I've about exhausted
the hardware/electrical outlets in this area.

Thanks...hk

Here's a start:
http://parts.digikey.com/1/parts-kws...tor-heavy-duty

12ga on the battery side? What is WAFA trying to charge?

If he *USED* his boat, this wouldn't be an issue.

Gene wrote:
On Sat, 23 May 2009 18:54:09 -0400, D K
wrote:

Gene wrote:
On Sat, 23 May 2009 12:38:05 -0400, HK wrote:

Gene -

Any ideas where I can find a pair of *quality* battery clips to attach
to my existing battery charger? Probably 12 gauge wire to the charger,
need oversized clips to attach to the battery lugs. I've about exhausted
the hardware/electrical outlets in this area.

Thanks...hk
Here's a start:
http://parts.digikey.com/1/parts-kws...tor-heavy-duty
12ga on the battery side?

12 ga. at 10 feet is only good for about 15A....


Well, I haven't measured the existing leads off the charger...but I will
when I find a decent supplier of clips. The leads are 6' long, though.