Battery tender or trickle charger

When you're not camping?

A trickle charger puts out a constant charge which can overcharge a battery if left on. A Battery Tender or smart charger well switch to a float charge and not boil a battery dry.

Battery Tender is a brand name of an excellent maintenance charger for small batteries. As good as all maintainers and better than most.

Battery Tender makes chargers for larger batteries too.

My RV has a three stage Iota "smart" converter so I just leave it plugged in when storing.

I do use Deltran Battery Tenders and a Battery MINDer on motorcycles and tractor because they don't have a built in charger like RVs.

My TT also has a three stage converter/charger that automatically switches between outputs depending on the state of charge of the battery. The converter/charger also goes into storage mode and after sitting for a while, will run the battery through a desulfication process to keep it in good condition. I also have a free standing unit that does the same thing, in my opinion, it is better than any trickle charger.

I use a battery tender on 5 group 27 batteries for 7 months. I used a timer and only run it 2 or 3 hours a day.

Thank you. Yes I was thinking of between camping trips and had heard about trickle chargers overcharging. I will have DH look into what would be needed for truck or tt battery

Batteries can simply be unhooked for a time and retain a charge. AGMs hold a longer time than acids. I have AGMs that retain 12.7 for months.

I use a variety of battery charging devices around the homestead. Everything from a wheeled shop charger to wall transformers. My go-to charger for maintenance of stored batteries is a 12V power supply. Since it is not adjustable (could make it so), I connect it to a stored battery and monitor the voltage until it reaches 14 V or so. I then disconnect it and move to the next battery. Currently, I have 3 X 12V auto batteries in storage and in the Winter will add the lawn tractor battery to the pile.

FWIW, I have a Diehard SLA battery connected to my emergency sump pump system. The sump pump controller keeps it charged with current from a wall transformer.
That battery has been in service for 10+ yrs and still does the job if the power fails and we have a large storm.

The Battery Tender (brand name) is a multiple stage charger that cycles thru the stages as needed. It should be plugged in for several days at least, or left connected continuously. I rotate a Battery Tender among a number of batteries, leaving each connected for a minimum of three days.

When the fully charged light comes on, it will still take more charge to approach 100%.