Time for trickle charger?

[o2sys]

I don't store away my mustang for the winter, I do drive it less though maybe once every two weeks when weather permits.

What I do though is start it up and let it idle for about 10minutes thinking it will prevent the battery from going flat but this may actually be worse?

Like it's using the battery to start it up but not enough to recharge it fully??

Also how long does it take for the tires to develop a flat spot?

Should I just invest on a trickle charger?

 

[retfr8flyr]

A trickle charger is never a bad idea. I don't think the tires will develop a permanent flat spot unless they sit for years. They will develop temporary flat spots but will smooth right out as soon as you drive it some.

 

[shelbie67]

Get a "battery tender" or a "Schumacher" brand....I have them installed on a couple cars for years and have always protected and kept the batties charged...

And if you drive your car every couple weeks your fine. My boat trailer sits for 6-7 months and the tires are great


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[psfracer]

PM Ultracla$$ic (Darren). He is an expert on such matters as he does this year round. I put my car on jack stands it its going to sit for an extended period of time--but I also have frontrunners and slicks.

 

[50tbrd88]

I found that if my car sits for more than a couple of weeks or so, the battery would be dead. I bought a trickle charger and so far its been great. Although I've been expecting to have to buy a new battery soon because I'm still on the factory one from '07!

As far as flat spots don't worry about it. My Chevelle sat for 15+ years with tires 1/2 flat or completely flat and after a few miles even they smoothed right out.

 

[cyclerick]

I just pump my tires up to max inflation and let in sit for the winter. Never had a flat spot.

 

[Franchi]

Deltran makes a few good trickle chargers, just researched into them as I just got one for about $50 few weeks ago and they have 10 year warranty.

 

[702GT]

I shelled for the Optima Digital 400 (think it's the 400, it's the smaller one) and haven't looked back. You can hook it up to just about any battery and it will recharge and maintain the battery without worrying about over-charging. Once you hook it up, the charger detects the type of battery or you can manually select it, and it will go to work charging the battery (max 4 amps) and it will adjust charging amperage according to temperature, so if it's 110* out you'll probably only see an amp or two. Once the battery is fully charged it will go into maintain mode and you can leave the charger on the battery and it will maintain its charge. Every 30 days that the charger is active the charger will cycle the battery automatically. It's got a lot of useful features.

Not trying to sales pitch for Optima, but I do love that little charger.

 

[torchred]

If my car sits for about two-three weeks, the battery will go dead. And its got a pretty much stock electrical system with a new alternator and a newer battery. I installed a Battery Tender brand trickle charger and it starts like a champ every time. Not sure why my battery would go dead after two weeks sitting because we let my work car sit for a month and it starts fine.

 

[cbracoupe]

BEST deal ever on a trickle is from Duraboost! All digital so it will detect the battery, charge it and then switch over to maintain. Cycle Gear markes them 50% off regularly from $29.99. It's the small one, 750ma. I have been using one for years with fantastic results. Car is plugged into it every time I get out of it. Even forgot to disconnect it one and pulled it down the driveway for a ways and it still functions perfectly! Sent several out to friends for Christmas and they also really like them. For $15 they are a unreal deal! Be warned, I have seen the knockoffs fry a few batteries.

 

[o2sys]

Anyone try these? NOCO Battery Life BLSOLAR2 2.5 Watt Solar Battery Charger and Maintainer https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00B7GC50Y/ref=cm_sw_r_awd_-MXNub1JRK2VB

 

[01yellerCobra]

Anyone try these? NOCO Battery Life BLSOLAR2 2.5 Watt Solar Battery Charger and Maintainer https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00B7GC50Y/ref=cm_sw_r_awd_-MXNub1JRK2VB

A buddy of mine keeps his boat and jet ski on solar chargers. He bought his from Harbor Freight and they work pretty good.

Personally I have a CTEK for the cars. It can charge a dead battery up with no issue.

 

[Shotokan1509]

I had not in the past, I used to pull the battery and store in warm-ish basement without issue. Last year I did not disconnect and left it in car in unheated storage unit, dead battery. This year it's in my own garage, while not heated its above outside temp. I think I'd rather leave the battery in the car but a trickle charger is a good idea. Keep the suggestions on brand/model coming guys, not looking to spend much but don't want to go too cheap that its dangerous either. Also would be good if I can use it on my garden tractor battery

 

[FIVE-OH]

I don't know, if you guys are getting dead batteries after only sitting a couple weeks, that tells me you may have a voltage draw somewhere no? My car sits for weeks at a time sometimes, one time for 5 weeks while I was on vacation and it started right up.

 

[50tbrd88]

My '07 has done it since new.

 

[o2sys]

I bought the NOCO Solar one from my local autozone for $19. I will report back in few weeks how it held up.

 

[Shotokan1509]

I don't know, if you guys are getting dead batteries after only sitting a couple weeks, that tells me you may have a voltage draw somewhere no? My car sits for weeks at a time sometimes, one time for 5 weeks while I was on vacation and it started right up.

Our cars are actually known for it, particularly with the Shaker systems & upgraded alarms. But we're not talking 2 weeks, mine hibernates from Thanksgiving until Easter.

 

[Timmbo]

I've used the Battery Tender Jr. for years on my motorcycles. I also use one on my Mustang and my Challenger. It's a great bang for the buck. Being fully automatic it will only charge when it senses a voltage drop and will shut itself off when the battery is at the proper charge. I don't use the clip on leads in the photo. I take the short fused SAE connector harness it comes with, lengthen it and run it out to the front spoiler where I can access it easily. When unplugged the end tucks out of sight behind the chin spoiler.