12V Battery chargers?

[difflock]

Well, ah went inta tha toon, this afternoon, and both motor factors recommended a GYS Batium. They both also, each, despite retailing multiple Ring products, described the Ring stuff as only suitable for very occasional use( an who fornicating knew?)

So ah bought a 12V/15A Batium .  Despite its French provanance. For a relatively insignificant amount more than random on line suppliers.

Fingers crossed.

Edited June 20, 2025 by difflock

[Muddy42]

So I went to service various engines and mowers and both had dead batteries.  This made me think about trickle charging them over the winter.  I have been doing this to the quad and its been revolutionary, especially in this cold weather. I would need to bring electric to the shed, which is something I was planning to do anyway.

 

I can see that you can buy dual trickle chargers (which clip onto two batteries at once) but these are expensive.  I have an existing 1 amp noco smart charger.  I was wondering about charging both batteries individually then connecting them in parallel and attaching the trickle charger.  Has anyone done this successfully?

 

or I could just buy another 1 amp trickle charger or two to give me a spare for other 12v batteries.

[openspaceman]

44 minutes ago, Muddy42 said:

 

I can see that you can buy dual trickle chargers (which clip onto two batteries at once) but these are expensive.  I have an existing 1 amp noco smart charger.  I was wondering about charging both batteries individually then connecting them in parallel and attaching the trickle charger.  Has anyone done this successfully?

 

Yes you can, I have been doing this with my tractor batteries. I think it is wise to put a germanium diode in one leg to each battery then in one is duff it doesn't discharge the rest, with most chargers putting out 13.5 to 14V the loss of 0.4V isn't significant.

 

I had been using a 50W solar panel and very cheap charge controller I was fixing, it was very good until the owner collected it.

 

A year ago I was given three 12 year old solar panels. I have one rigged up by my niece's stables to run the electric fencer using old batteries and a good 15 quid charge controller, even though it has been shaded by trees in this sunny weather , it managed 20Wh which is plenty enough to overcome the self discharge of several batteries.It does better when slightly overcast but when the sun is above the trees it puts out 90W even though it is vertical,

 

A lady down the road has a Merc she seldom uses, I have to jump start it occasionally, she has now bought a 6.5 Amp intelligent charger which seems excellent. I can get details if you like.

[Muddy42]

1 hour ago, openspaceman said:

Yes you can, I have been doing this with my tractor batteries. I think it is wise to put a germanium diode in one leg to each battery then in one is duff it doesn't discharge the rest, with most chargers putting out 13.5 to 14V the loss of 0.4V isn't significant.

 

I had been using a 50W solar panel and very cheap charge controller I was fixing, it was very good until the owner collected it.

 

A year ago I was given three 12 year old solar panels. I have one rigged up by my niece's stables to run the electric fencer using old batteries and a good 15 quid charge controller, even though it has been shaded by trees in this sunny weather , it managed 20Wh which is plenty enough to overcome the self discharge of several batteries.It does better when slightly overcast but when the sun is above the trees it puts out 90W even though it is vertical,

 

A lady down the road has a Merc she seldom uses, I have to jump start it occasionally, she has now bought a 6.5 Amp intelligent charger which seems excellent. I can get details if you like.

 

Thanks will do.  It would help if some manufacturers didn't hide their batteries so well.  I need to remove 6 awkward bolts and the bumper (!) to get at the battery on the Grillo climber under the fuel tank/bonnet. I'm going to attach some permanent battery leads to make trickle charging easier.

[Steven P]

Can get solar trickle chargers - plug into a car lighter socket but am sure can work out how to fit them or a lighter socket (halfords have them for a couple of ££)

 

 

Slightly off topic, had flashing lights on the saw charger yesterday - too cold to charge - but lead acid should be OK

[Muddy42]

1 hour ago, Steven P said:

Can get solar trickle chargers - plug into a car lighter socket but am sure can work out how to fit them or a lighter socket (halfords have them for a couple of ££)

 

 

Slightly off topic, had flashing lights on the saw charger yesterday - too cold to charge - but lead acid should be OK

 

bring it inside and it should recover, cold kills batteries.

 

thanks but I don't think I'll try a solar charger.  The shed is in a shaded spot and I'm skeptical that it would get enough sun!  I want to extend the electricity to the shed anyway to run other tools etc.

[Steven P]

Ahh, the excuse to make what you want happen? Extending power to the shed, you need to do that a game changer.

 

 

 

Battery charged inside and not used for long after, before it got cold again.

[markieg31]

Big fan of the noco stuff. Got a battery charger that does all from quad to tractor. 

Also got one of their jump pack type things, that really sped things up here. Always someone leaving lights on or something draining the battery and to be able just to jump start with out the faff of jump leads and another vehicle is great fun, my wife thinks that is one of my all-time great purchases!

[Muddy42]

1 hour ago, markieg31 said:

Big fan of the noco stuff. Got a battery charger that does all from quad to tractor. 

Also got one of their jump pack type things, that really sped things up here. Always someone leaving lights on or something draining the battery and to be able just to jump start with out the faff of jump leads and another vehicle is great fun, my wife thinks that is one of my all-time great purchases!

 

Agreed I have a 2amp Noco charger.  It charges everything from a quad to a tractor battery (this just takes longer, just ignore the % charged dial and keep going).  I like the fact that as standard they come with a leads that can easily be used with crocodile clips or connected permanently to the battery as a trickle charger. The downside is that they are a bit "smart" and can sometimes refuse to charge older or heavily de-charged batteries.  As above I might just buy a couple more 1amp noco chargers and use them as trickle chargers.  

 

I'm after a new jump pack.  I have an ancient one made by RAC that won't hold charge more than a few hours, although you can charge it from a cigarette lighter which is a great when you are on the way to rescue someone!

 

[openspaceman]

4 hours ago, Muddy42 said:

 

Thanks will do.  It would help if some manufacturers didn't hide their batteries so well.  I need to remove 6 awkward bolts and the bumper (!) to get at the battery on the Grillo climber under the fuel tank/bonnet. I'm going to attach some permanent battery leads to make trickle charging easier.

Have a look here

 

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5.5mm x 2.1mm Female power plug connector. Male Jack Female Jack 2.1 x 5.5mm DC Power Plug Connector. DC...

 

If you drive off attached they should pull apart