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