How to use a trickle charger

How do you use a trickle charger?

This is general guidance on how to a trickle charger should be used.

• You should always follow the manufactures instructions and in particular follow any specific safety instructions that are relevant.

Before you start charging:

First ensure the battery is on a level surface and it will stay dry during charging and make sure it is off.  Next set the switches for your specific trickle charger correctly and ensre that all cables are completely unwound and any connections are clean and grease free.  Finally ensure that the area has enough fresh and ensure the keys to your ignition are removed.

Ready to attach the clips:

When all your preparations are complete you should connect the positive terminal (the red one most times) to the positive battery terminal.  Next attach the negative (normally black clip). 

•  Do not touch the clips as this could result in a shock or a spark.

Fire up your charger

Once it is all set turn your charger on and ensure all the lights or LEDs are correctly illuminated.

When the trickle charger is turned on it will you an indication of the charge of the battery, normally this is in the form of a colored or blinking LED. If the charger does not deliver charge after a period of 10 minutes the battery could be dead and I suggest you check its charge.

Wait for the battery to charge

The reverse process should be adopted to disconnect the charger. I.E. turn of the battery charger, remove black and then red and then stow all cables.

Focus on the:

Schumacher SC-600A SpeedCharge High Frequency Battery Charger

This Features

• Fully automatated process with 4 settings
• A 6 amp medium charge monitors the battery condition.  It will adjusts charge rate downward to prevent battery damage
• 4 amp medium charge has self-adjusting charge rate ideal for everyday charging needs and keeping your battery in peak condition
• 2 amp slow charge for charging small batteries 
• 50 amp clamps for top and side-mounted battery posts

Tech specs

• Input Voltage: 120V AC
• Output Voltage: 6V/12VDC
• Output Power: 2A/4A/6A continuous
• Amperage Control: Push-button
• Warranty: 5 Year
• Dimensions: 6.9" x 3" x 7.5"
• Weight: 2.1lbs

You can find much more about trickle chargers at the link

Why do you need a trickle charger in the winter?

The cold weather reduces the life of batteries most of us know that but how can we make sure our car   starts in the morning. 

Perhaps the best thing to do is to store the car in a Garage, this will not only protect the car but keep the temperature a little warmer and of ensure that it does not drop below freezing for that long.

If you live somewhere where it gets and stays cold for more than 4 weeks a year then you should really consider keeping your battery charge topped up with the use of a trickle charger.  Other factors that can compound the loss of charge in your battery include but are not limited to:

• Older models of batteries or alternators, typically found in cars more than 30 years old
• If you only use your car on short journeys
• If you use your car less than once a week

image, CC

You can find more information about trickle chargers at the link 

Do I need a trickle charger?

Do I need a trickle charger?

You may consider a trickle charger if you have a combination of any of the following factors?

• Long periods of cold weather
• Infrequent use of your car of bike
• A very old battery or battery type in your vehicle
• Short journey use (less than 20 mins)

All of these factors could mean that you car or bike is not charging enough through the normal use of the engine

The Battery Tender Junior

A great trickle charger

This is a small and straight forward charger by Deltran that will charge flooded or sealed maintenance free batteries *(gel cell and AGM types). Built to last, it comes with a 5 year warranty and is very popular of particular note is that it is very easy to use.

- The Tender Jr is a 12Volt and 0.75 Amp charger.

- The Tender Jr comes with all the leads (12ft long) and plugs you need to get going.
- It has a 4-step charging program (initialization, bulk charge, absorption mode and float mode).
- It is reverse polarity protected so you cannot make a mistake with cross wiring.
- A 2 colour LED lets you know the status of the battery and charge process.

check out more at: 

http://www.squidoo.com/trickle-chargers-12v-battery-chargers-for-boats-cars-and-bikes-and-solar-the-best-deals-reveiwed

What is a trickle charger?

What is a trickle charger?

Trickle Chargers both charge batteries and extend the life of batteries.  They are affordable to purchase and draw power from a static mains source.  Solar panels can also be used as a power source, perhaps while mobile. 

They can also be known as battery tenders (there is a very popular firm of the same name – just to add confusion), battery chargers or battery maintainers (older batteries required maintenance; this is also, confusingly something else).

Trickle charger features:

Most batteries for vehicles, such as: cars, motorbikes, boats, mobility devices, ATVs, Jetskis and snowmobiles use 12 Volt batteries.

The Power output will have a direct relation to how quick the battery will be charged. Power is measured in Amps (A) and a budget typical battery tender starts at 0.75A, 1.5A would be an effective mid range device.  

You can find out loads more at:

Find out more at

Trickle chargers

Trickle chargers article

Also of interest for auto Enthusiasts may be:

Life hammer auto escape tool

Resqme car escape device

Car sun shades

Car sun shade compared

Car sun shade article