Forum Discussion

jgrimes's avatar
jgrimes
Explorer
Sep 08, 2017

Battery Minder

While gone for an extended time, I plan to keep my car battery charged at home using a Battery Charger Junior. Do I need to disconnect the battery from the auto while charging; or can I charge without concern for damaging the auto's electronics? Thanks in advance.
  • Sam_Spade's avatar
    Sam_Spade
    Explorer
    Sep 08, 2017
    ScottG wrote:
    You can leave it connected.


    Not only can but probably SHOULD.
  • rk911's avatar
    rk911
    Explorer
    Sep 08, 2017
    ScottG wrote:
    You can leave it connected.


    X2. we do this all the time.
  • RCMAN46's avatar
    RCMAN46
    Explorer
    Sep 08, 2017
    If leaving for more than a month I recommend that the Battery Minder not be plugged into a GFI receptacle.

    I had done that for 6 months a found a totally dead and ruined battery because the GFI had tripped.

    Possibly due to a power surge or power outage.
  • wa8yxm's avatar
    wa8yxm
    Explorer III
    Sep 08, 2017
    ScottG wrote:
    You can leave it connected.


    L left mine connected no problems.
  • Harvey51's avatar
    Harvey51
    Explorer
    Sep 08, 2017
    If the time is 3 months or less, just disconnect the battery - no minder needed.
  • ScottG's avatar
    ScottG
    Nomad
    Sep 08, 2017
    It's healthier for the battery to have a BT connected. Keeps self discharge and sulfation from starting.
  • Sam_Spade's avatar
    Sam_Spade
    Explorer
    Sep 09, 2017
    RCMAN46 wrote:
    If leaving for more than a month I recommend that the Battery Minder not be plugged into a GFI receptacle.


    EXCELLENT point. I'm surprised I missed it.

    This is even more important for other "mission critical" things.....like a sump pump. I think the electrical codes require a GFI for a sump pump...but I would NEVER do that, again.
  • ksg5000's avatar
    ksg5000
    Explorer
    Sep 09, 2017
    For long term -I would just charge the battery up and then disconnect - it should retain it's charge fine. In my area we get occasional power outages and my battery charger won't automatically restart after a temp power outage.
  • jgrimes's avatar
    jgrimes
    Explorer
    Sep 11, 2017
    The everhone. Hadn't thought about a power outage and it not starting back up. Thanks for all of the good advice.

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