View Poll Results: Do you, or would you use a "Trickel Charger" on your car during winter storage?
Yes
22
59.46%
No, just leave it in the car and jump it in the spring
3
8.11%
No, Take out your battery and put it inside your house instead
12
32.43%
Voters: 37. You may not vote on this poll
Battery Trickel Charger, Do you use one for winter storage?
10-20-2008, 05:56 PM
#1
TECH Fanatic
Thread Starter
iTrader: (28)
Join Date: Feb 2006
Location: Williamsville, NY
Posts: 1,131
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Battery Trickel Charger, Do you use one for winter storage? Just seeing if you guys use a Battery Trickel charger on your car when winter storage arrives vs. taking the battery out of the car. Please let me know via the poll. I've never taken the battery out of the car, but just always charged it up before spring time but am thinking about buying a trickel charger this year. Let me know your thoughts. Thanks.
10-20-2008, 06:44 PM
#3
Launching!
Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: Hoosier Daddy....
Posts: 228
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
This makes me wonder. If you removed your battery for the winter, would there be a chance the ECM would lose any of its programming due to the lack of battery power for an extended time?
10-20-2008, 07:57 PM
#4
NKAWTG...N
iTrader: (3)
Join Date: Nov 2003
Location: Wichita, KS
Posts: 4,760
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I voted, "No, Take out your battery and put it inside your house instead," but actually I just disconnect it and leave it in the car.
I reconnect it in the summer and still works. It has to relearn the idle but that is it!
I reconnect it in the summer and still works. It has to relearn the idle but that is it!
10-20-2008, 08:37 PM
#5
TECH Fanatic
Thread Starter
iTrader: (28)
Join Date: Feb 2006
Location: Williamsville, NY
Posts: 1,131
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I heard this is not good as your engine doesnt truely get up to operating temperture but if it works for you, great!!! Personally, I've just left the car in the garage untouched and not started until its time to bring it out.
Nope, I wouldnt think so. I've never started my car everytime I store it (about 6 months a year) and have never had a problem with the computer loosing my tune or anything.
Yes-thats what I have been doing for the last few years, just disconnecting the battery and leaving it in the car under the cover but last year the battery was dead when I went to turn it over so I was just leaning towards a trickel charger to see how that works. I've also learned that it takes my car about 3 starts (with time/driving between after storage) for it to relearn idle. After all, it sits for 6 months with no battery connection so the first time I pull it out, it idles at like 650rpm till it warms up. I let it run for about a half hour and take it for a quick drive around the block then turn it off. About 10 mins later I start it up again and take it for a longer drive, but like you said, it cant hold idle. Anywhere from 500 to 900rpm depending how warm the engine is, and if you hit the gas it dies down to almost 200rpm then pops back up. Then the 3rd time I start it up, its works like a charm from there out. You probably know exactly what Im talking about though, its just relearning 
Trending Topics
10-20-2008, 09:13 PM
#8
10 Second Club
iTrader: (38)
Join Date: Oct 2006
Location: Phoenix, Az
Posts: 1,259
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
No real long term winter storage to speak of here in Az but if I know a car will be sitting for a while I just put on my CTEK 3300 charger. It has been the best charger I've ever owned. Just go to www.ctek.com and read up on their chargers. you can usually pick one up from Ebay for $60 shipped to your door. I've used it on batteries that were stone dead and brought them back up to a full charge without any problems.
10-20-2008, 09:17 PM
#9
I have one charger, and a connector for each vehicle that sleeps during the winter. Currently 3. It came with 1; I made the others out of a 4 way trailer connector I got at Ace Hardware, splitting it up for the other 2.
I rotate the charger around to each, and they all stay charged. The PCM should not lose its settings since they are stored to flash memory. What you should not do is to leave the charger on just one vehicle; it will boil out the battery fluid.
Also, get the type that shuts off when the charge level is complete; some do not.
I rotate the charger around to each, and they all stay charged. The PCM should not lose its settings since they are stored to flash memory. What you should not do is to leave the charger on just one vehicle; it will boil out the battery fluid.
Also, get the type that shuts off when the charge level is complete; some do not.
10-20-2008, 09:21 PM
#10
NKAWTG...N
iTrader: (3)
Join Date: Nov 2003
Location: Wichita, KS
Posts: 4,760
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Yes-thats what I have been doing for the last few years, just disconnecting the battery and leaving it in the car under the cover but last year the battery was dead when I went to turn it over so I was just leaning towards a trickel charger to see how that works. I've also learned that it takes my car about 3 starts (with time/driving between after storage) for it to relearn idle. After all, it sits for 6 months with no battery connection so the first time I pull it out, it idles at like 650rpm till it warms up. I let it run for about a half hour and take it for a quick drive around the block then turn it off. About 10 mins later I start it up again and take it for a longer drive, but like you said, it cant hold idle. Anywhere from 500 to 900rpm depending how warm the engine is, and if you hit the gas it dies down to almost 200rpm then pops back up. Then the 3rd time I start it up, its works like a charm from there out. You probably know exactly what Im talking about though, its just relearning
Exactly. Sounds like I have the biggest cam known to man in the car the first time I drive it. Also the turbo seals leak through from in use so it is kinda smokey the first couple of miles.
I get stares.
10-20-2008, 11:53 PM
#12
TECH Enthusiast
Join Date: Dec 2005
Location: NW burbs of Chicago
Posts: 510
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I voted yes because the pole question had or would you use. I would if I had a good one and if it was close to an outlet.
But I don't have one and it hasn't always been close to an outlet.
So I just disconnect it and reconnect it in the spring.
I still have the original battery by the way.
But I don't have one and it hasn't always been close to an outlet.
So I just disconnect it and reconnect it in the spring.
I still have the original battery by the way.
I always have 2 cars attached to it year-round.
10-21-2008, 07:39 AM
#14
personally, i'm just to cheap to buy a tender so i take it out for storage. once this factory battery dies and i get an optima then i'll probably get a tender for it (those things ain't cheap lol).
10-21-2008, 08:32 AM
#16
TECH Fanatic
Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: Just This Side of Damnation
Posts: 1,231
Likes: 0
Received 1 Like
on
1 Post
I support taking the battery out and putting it in the garage PLUS putting it on a battery tender.
When you start your car for a short time every now and then you are leaving acidic water in your engine and exhaust system. The combustion by-products are acidic. If you don't get your car hot enough for long enough to drive out the condensation you produce while it is warming up, it sits in those places and does its evil work. For that reason, I prefer to let it sit until spring and I can drive it normally.
Just an FYI, don't set your battery on a concrete floor. I can't remember the process but it leaches out the charge much more quickly than if you set it on a piece of wood. Also, ensure you keep your battery clean, since dust and dirt can allow the charge to disappate faster as well.
Every battery will discharge as it sits unused. If the charge gets too low, lead sulphates will form on the battery plates. This prevents effective recharging come spring and lessens your battery life.
I had the original battery in the car for seven years. That's pretty good for any battery, I think.
When you start your car for a short time every now and then you are leaving acidic water in your engine and exhaust system. The combustion by-products are acidic. If you don't get your car hot enough for long enough to drive out the condensation you produce while it is warming up, it sits in those places and does its evil work. For that reason, I prefer to let it sit until spring and I can drive it normally.
Just an FYI, don't set your battery on a concrete floor. I can't remember the process but it leaches out the charge much more quickly than if you set it on a piece of wood. Also, ensure you keep your battery clean, since dust and dirt can allow the charge to disappate faster as well.
Every battery will discharge as it sits unused. If the charge gets too low, lead sulphates will form on the battery plates. This prevents effective recharging come spring and lessens your battery life.
I had the original battery in the car for seven years. That's pretty good for any battery, I think.
10-21-2008, 05:28 PM
#18
TECH Fanatic
Thread Starter
iTrader: (28)
Join Date: Feb 2006
Location: Williamsville, NY
Posts: 1,131
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I was thinking about getting the Deltran Battery Tender Jr. http://batterytender.com/product_inf...cb1efb983aabee Im leaning more towards the 12volt @ 0.75 amps. Any thoughts on this also?
10-21-2008, 11:48 PM
#20
It takes less then 2 minutes to remove the batttery and bring it inside. You won't be needing it anyway since starting your car periodically is harming your engine - for the sake of charging your battery?!?
Do not store the battery on cement. Leave the battery on a piece of wood and charge it twice throughout the winter.