I have had two 12 volt batteries fail in the last month. Both cars are in Florida, 58 Cad and 2002 T-Bird, and sit for 6 months.
When not in use, I was using a Schumacher 1.5 amp trickle charger on both cars. I would have thought that this charger would really have enhanced the life of these batteries. Instead, they haven't lasted anywhere near as long a previous batteries. The original T-Bird battery lasted 11 years!
Is it the little charger that's diminishing battery life? Or are the new 12 V batteries just not holding up? Of course, the 6 volt optimas in my other two collector cars seem to last forever. I had a 12 volt Optima in the 58, but being out in front like that, it was just too butt ugly.
Any thoughts?
I would be questioning the batteries.
From what I have heard on the grapevine, the modern batteries are being constructed using re-cycled materials.
Bruce. >:D
I will take a wild guess since both are connected to a battery trickle charger that would be the culprit if both batteries are in top shape. ??? ???
Even if the batteries are made with recycle materials which would be the lead plates, they would last a few years at least some of the name brand ones.
If the batteries are fully functional and they keep a charge with no internal drainage the trickle charger should keep the battery fresh. However if the batteries are weak or do not keep the charge for some reason the trickle charger won’t help maintain the batteries.
Not sure if you have an indicator in your charger that shows when the battery is top-off and switches to “float-modeâ€. If it switches between charging and float every few minutes/hours it is an indication the battery somehow is not keeping the charge, or if the float-mode never turns on.
Good luck..!
Is your 'charger' listed as a charger or a maintainer? If its just a 1.5 amp charger I could see that shortening the life. Nicad are about the only type of batteries that will tolerate a small constant charge.
The difference between a typical charger and maintainer is the maintainers have 'brains' that monitor the voltage and only charge when needed. Some chargers can have that feature too but most don't.
Sears has a battery maintainer that is $20 when on sale. I have also bought the ones from Harbor Freight that are under $10.00 and they work well too.
The maintainer is different from the charger which when left on for 6 months straight can cook a battery at 1.5 amps constant.
Brian
I have a couple of Schumacher 1.5 trickle chargers and they are charger/maintainer units.
I think it's the chargers too Tony. I have a 'Maintainer' on my 2007 Harley. It has the original battery on it. I hardly ride this bike any more but the battery is in tip top shape every time I start it.
This is the charger to have https://www.amazon.com/CTEK-56-864-Automatic-Battery-Charger/dp/B006G14FK8
This charger may be able to restore your batteries.
Highly recommended in reviews. Jay Leno's garage uses them. see video below.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IdZES5CQz9I
Best of luck.
We used to use these on our slow moving expensive batteries in my Exide days. They are really the cat's meow. I got one out of the dumpster when it was returned from a customer who was exiting the parts business. They never even opened it but it was the old model, so we couldn't send it to a new customer.
I've brought a couple of batteries back from the dead with it:
https://www.pulsetech.net/pro-12-redipulse-12-station-battery-maintenance-unit-gsa-dod.html/
As others said, use a maintainer, not a charger. The maintainer will cut off at
a safe voltage. Even the Horrible Fright ($5 on sale) maintainers will do the
job, providing you don't have a heavy drain that overpowers them. After
some days a voltmeter should show voltage in the 13s and not declining at all.
Bruce Roe
I use a Schumacher 2 amp trickle charger periodically (once a year) and it has 3 lights - red for power, yellow - charging and green for float mode. I do check the water level every 6 months and bring it up to the split ring if needed. I typically get 10 years out of my batteries and as I've posted many times, two of them are lifetime warranty J C Penny. I hope they don't go out ofbusiness!
Previous posts mentioning NOT to use a "charger" are correct.
The charger supplies a constant trickle of current whether your
battery needs it or not. This causes over charging and over heating.
That's the worst thing you can do and shortens battery life considerably.
The name brand of a good "maintainer" is called Battery Tender.
They can be purchased on line or at some Auto stores. They run
about $40 but are worth it. A computer chip automatically changes
between "charge" and "float" modes. Nothing for you to do but
connect it according to instructions.
I have them on 5 different vehicles constantly that I do not regularly
drive. My batteries last 5 years+
Mike
I think I will put timers back on these Schumacher 1.5 maintainers, chargers whatever they are. Do one hour a day and see what happens.
Quote from: TonyZappone #2624 on April 28, 2017, 01:43:16 AM
I think I will put timers back on these Schumacher 1.5 maintainers, chargers whatever they are. Do one hour a day and see what happens.
If left connected, be sure there is no back flow into the maintainer when off. The
Horrible Fright maintainers definitely will run your battery down if left unplugged
from the AC line long enough. Bruce Roe
A "dumb" charger will constantly apply voltage--enough to cause flow into the battery, which will cause constant release of heat.
Batteries have internal resistance. Basically no flow when disconnected, but the slightest difference in voltage applied at the terminals, higher or lower, will cause current flow, and thus heat dissipation.
hawk