Re: Floating Battery Charger.

"Nate Nagel" <njnagel@[EMAIL PROTECTED]
> wrote in message 
news:g0717102460@[EMAIL PROTECTED]
> HLS wrote:
>>
>> <cuhulin@[EMAIL PROTECTED]
> wrote in message 
>> news:3373-48264CD8-402@[EMAIL PROTECTED]
>>
>>> Considering I do not use my van much, would't it be a good idea if I
buy
>>> one of those battery chargers? I own some old battery chargers.I was
>>> thinking when I am not using my van, I could remove the battery and
hook
>>> it up to a new floating battery charger.I guess Sears sells some good
>>> ones?
>>> cuhulin
>>
>>
>> If you really think this is necessary, just convert one of your old 
>> battery chargers
>> to do the job.
>>
>> You dont have to remove the battery.  That is a lot of work for nothing
>
> I was going to suggest a "battery tender" rather than a formal charger. 
> should be cheaper and do the same job
>
> nate

I have used a battery charger with an appropriate lamp bulb inserted in 
series
just to maintain charge when the battery has to sit dormant for some
weeks.

A 12 volt automotive bulb insures that even if the battery has a dead
short,
the charger current is limited.  If you work out the Ohms law  values, you

can
choose the bulb wattage to give a wide range of "tickler" currents.

It works, and not much could be cheaper.

The old trickle chargers put out about an amp and a half, IIRC, but that 
could
be too much for long term storage.

I used to have a good circuit for a tapering charger which will completely

shut off
when the battery is fully charged.  I haven't seen it around for a while, 
and never
got around to building the thing because I never really needed it.