Best battery maintainer.

[Jerry_B]

During long storage periods in Florida, my converter will boil off a significant amount of battery acid. Would a small trickle charger be better to use than the converter? I need to keep the AC power on to operate a dehumidifier but with a trickle charger I could turn off the converter. Thanks.

[Jerry_B]

Looks like I'll purchase a Battery Tender and give it a whirl. I'll pull the breaker on the converter. We found that leaving a dehumidifier on set at 50% RH keeps the trailer fresh during the long humid Florida summers. Thanks everyone.

[RockyMt]

I use a battery maintainer I got from harbor freight for $4.95. Works great and have had it for several years. Use on both truck and trailer.(have two)

[gkainz]

yay, solar ... except that I just had to go scrape the snow off the panels again today ... and tomorrow ...and Saturday ... 🙂

[laknox]

x3 on solar. We have several PulseTech 12 amp chargers that are meant for use on equipment that's in storage for long periods of time. Voltage varies and drops to a float state when needed and ramps up enough to desulfate. I had one on my rig with 2 6v batteries, for several months last year, and never had to add water. Here's the link: https://www.pulsetech.net/store/solar-battery-chargers/12v-solar-chargers/sp-12-solarpulse-12v-batte.... Not cheap, but cheaper than killing batteries.

Lyle

[twodownzero]

Solar has been the best battery tender I've ever used. I have precise control over voltages and in over a year, I've hardly added any water.

[ACZL]

I take my snowmobile batteries out each spring and put them in garage and on tenders. Same w/ RV battery in fall ('cept this one goes in cellar). I have "Battery Tender" brand as well as Harber Freight specials. To be honest, for the cost of the HFS, they have held up well w/o any problems. Going on few years now.

[ford_truck_guy]

When I added my first Lifeline batteries I called them directly to ask a few questions. One of my questions was exactly this, what is the best care..

They did not even hesitate when saying to use - Noco Charger

[ScottG]

I would, and do use a Battery Tender.

[FLY_4_FUN]

I would also disconnect, top off with distilled water and charge as needed once/twice in a winter. If you insist on having battery left on a "maintainer" then I can also vouch that Deltran's battery tenders are a great product

[theoldwizard1]

Jerry B wrote:
Would a small trickle charger be better to use than the converter?

Yes

mhardin wrote:
Battery Tender.

The "industry standard" !

2oldman wrote:
Better to disconnect the batteries (from the converter) and charge only occasionally.

Concur

Plug your Battery Tender into an inexpensive mechanical lamp timer and only charge the batteries for about 4 hours/day.

[mhardin]

Or a Battery Tender. They make different models for different uses.

[jdc1]

Or solar.

[2oldman]

Better to disconnect the batteries and charge only occasionally. Or get AGMs.