Not gonna pile on....

[motoman]

It's not a trickle charger - it's a float charger. I guess all the people who report extended battery life with their use are having a shared delusion.

Pretty much my friend. Just another gimmick by batt. manufacturers to selll more batteries.. No guessing here, professionally trained in this area, Kinda like what we used to say bout' our kids..........they are SO hard to train.

[Prisoner6]

It's not a trickle charger - it's a float charger. I guess all the people who report extended battery life with their use are having a shared delusion.

Ha!

+1, Doug ...

Modern float chargers (or battery "tenders") have circuitry that monitors the battery and charge it only when the voltage has dropped below a certain level.

(Trickle chargers don't have this circuitry.)

In other words, the "float" charger will cycle on and off ... "ON" when voltage drops below a certain level, and "OFF" when the battery is fully charged.

This is why a "float" charger can be left connected indefinitely with virtually no chance of damage to the battery.

A "trickle" charger cannot make the same claim. It will continue to supply a charge, even when the battery is already fully charged.

Obviously, this can and will lead to battery damage.

I've been using "float" chargers in all my vehicles for years, and my batteries always last a long time.

Therefore, I see no reason to change my battery maintenance routine.

[motoman]

Solid state makes a difference Brant, assuming Geezer's is solid state.

Electrical CONNECTIONS make no difference whether it is solid state electrical or not my friend.

[motoman]

Ha!

+1, Doug ...

Modern float chargers (or battery "tenders") have circuitry that monitors the battery and charge it only when the voltage has dropped below a certain level.

(Trickle chargers don't have this circuitry.)

In other words, the "float" charger will cycle on and off ... "ON" when voltage drops below a certain level, and "OFF" when the battery is fully charged.

This is why a "float" charger can be left connected indefinitely with virtually no chance of damage to the battery.

A "trickle" charger cannot make the same claim. It will continue to supply a charge, even when the battery is already fully charged.

Obviously, this can and will lead to battery damage.

I've been using "float" chargers in all my vehicles for years, and my batteries always last a long time.

Therefore, I see no reason to change my battery maintenance routine.

I have non of the above mentioned type chargers, nor would I ever own one. Still get 5-8yrs. use from the Interstate batteries I use in ALL my vehicles.

[Prisoner6]

... BTW, I repeatedly get 8=10yrs. use out of ALL my batteries, cages included. That is also using top brand of Interstate batteries ...

... Still get 5-8yrs. use from the Interstate batteries I use in ALL my vehicles.

Hmmm ...

Interesting, Brant.

The life expectancy of your batteries must be dwindling by the minute.

On the one hand, you said you're getting 8-10 yrs. use from your batteries ...

On the other hand ... less than 48 hrs. later you said you're getting 5-8 yrs. use from your batteries ...

Both of your quotes above cannot be true at the same time.

So ... which is it, 8-10 yrs. of battery usage, or 5-8 yrs. of battery usage?


Actually, my schedule simply does not allow me to ride 3 motorcycles on anything remotely resembling a regular basis.

So, any one of my bikes may be sitting, unridden, for several months at a time. This is why, for me, a float charger is an invaluable tool.

I connect the float charger to the battery, and forget about it. It does its work, keeping the sulfuric acid healthy and reactive, and hindering the sulfation of the plates.

And, I never have to worry about my battery draining. (Of course, the water is always maintained at the proper level).

When I'm ready to ride the dormant bike, it's as simple as "disconnect and ride". The bike always roars to life.

It works like a charm for me, and experience has shown me that my batteries like it.

[dbeardslee]

I like the one I've got. It only throws 3/4 of an amp when it's in the bulk charge mode, and then it tapers off to a saturation charge, and finally to the float mode where it monitors the condition of the battery. The battery never gets hot, and it doesn't boil the acid. I've never hurt a battery by properly charging it, but I've sure torn up a few by letting the voltage get too low.

With all the short trips I make at low rpms I'm a lot more worried about low voltage than I am about keeping the battery at a full charge. And I'm a lot more likely to take the word of someone who has actually used a float charger, than someone who never has. Not trying to be nasty - just sayin'.

[Prisoner6]

Doug,

The "short trips" at low RPM are a concern for me, as well.

This is another reason why a float charger is a good investment. It will not allow the battery to drop to a voltage that is too low ...

And, by the same token, it won't overcharge the battery, either.

[motoman]

Hmmm ...

Interesting, Brant.

The life expectancy of your batteries must be dwindling by the minute.

On the one hand, you said you're getting 8-10 yrs. use from your batteries ...

On the other hand ... less than 48 hrs. later you said you're getting 5-8 yrs. use from your batteries ...

Both of your quotes above cannot be true at the same time.

So ... which is it, 8-10 yrs. of battery usage, or 5-8 yrs. of battery usage?


Actually, my schedule simply does not allow me to ride 3 motorcycles on anything remotely resembling a regular basis.

So, any one of my bikes may be sitting, unridden, for several months at a time. This is why, for me, a float charger is an invaluable tool.

I connect the float charger to the battery, and forget about it. It does its work, keeping the sulfuric acid healthy and reactive, and hindering the sulfation of the plates.

And, I never have to worry about my battery draining. (Of course, the water is always maintained at the proper level).

When I'm ready to ride the dormant bike, it's as simple as "disconnect and ride". The bike always roars to life.

It works like a charm for me, and experience has shown me that my batteries like it.

Dwindling?...........not hardly Prisioner. You seriously NEED to read back a few yrs. of my posts regarding the longgivity I hsve with batteries, including both my cages. That x2 in my F-350 diesel. With the price of a bit over $350 for two of the Interstate batteries, I expect nothing different for longgivity. But, then again, I am a trained expert when it comes to batteries and their initial instalation. Lots of little 'tricks' my friend that are done prior to installation As for longgivity, your'splitting hairs' and just trying to 'trash talk'. You'd be better off just ASKING how that longgivity takes place........you JUST might learn something from someone with 40+ plus years experience in that field.

[Prisoner6]

Dwindling?...........not hardly Prisioner. You seriously NEED to read back a few yrs. of my posts regarding the longgivity I hsve with batteries, including both my cages. That x2 in my F-350 diesel. With the price of a bit over $350 for two of the Interstate batteries, I expect nothing different for longgivity. But, then again, I am a trained expert when it comes to batteries and their initial instalation. Lots of little 'tricks' my friend that are done prior to installation As for longgivity, your'splitting hairs' and just trying to 'trash talk'. You'd be better off just ASKING how that longgivity takes place........you JUST might learn something from someone with 40+ plus years experience in that field.

You really are funny sometimes, Brant.

You do know that my "dwindling" comment was a joke, right?

Trash talking? If you think for one moment that my previous comments in any way constitute trash talking, then you don't understand what internet forum "trash talk" is.

Search internet forums on a variety of topics, and you will quickly discover what true "trash talk" is all about.

It's an absolutely disgusting practice, and something I would never do to anyone.

Splitting hairs? It's not splitting hairs to ask someone to clarify conflicting and inconsistent statements.

I simply asked a legitimate, logical question about your battery longevity out of genuine curiosity, with no facetious or provocative intent.

When I first read your 2 conflicting statements, my thoughts immediately turned to new members who may have been reading/following this thread.

By answering my question, you could have clarified your comments ... not only for me, but for any new members (or lurkers, for that matter), so they wouldn't be confused.

Do we not strive to provide correct and consistent information?

And, concerning battery longevity ... what it really boils down to is this:

You have battery maintenance techniques that work very well for you ...

And I have battery maintenance techniques that work very well for me ...

You have a wonderful evening, Brant ...

[motoman]

You really are funny sometimes, Brant.

You do know that my "dwindling" comment was a joke, right?

Trash talking? If you think for one moment that my previous comments in any way constitute trash talking, then you don't understand what internet forum "trash talk" is.

Search internet forums on a variety of topics, and you will quickly discover what true "trash talk" is all about.

It's an absolutely disgusting practice, and something I would never do to anyone.

Splitting hairs? It's not splitting hairs to ask someone to clarify conflicting and inconsistent statements.

I simply asked a legitimate, logical question about your battery longevity out of genuine curiosity, with no facetious or provocative intent.

When I first read your 2 conflicting statements, my thoughts immediately turned to new members who may have been reading/following this thread.

By answering my question, you could have clarified your comments ... not only for me, but for any new members (or lurkers, for that matter), so they wouldn't be confused.

Do we not strive to provide correct and consistent information?

And, concerning battery longevity ... what it really boils down to is this:

You have battery maintenance techniques that work very well for you ...

And I have battery maintenance techniques that work very well for me ...

You have a wonderful evening, Brant ...

Well put Prisioner6 and good on you for keeping it honest.

[BA80]

Anybody talked to the person that originated this thread?

Illinois seems to be a black hole for XS's

[motoman]

Solid state makes a difference Brant, assuming Geezer's is solid state.

Sorry Skids, current flow(or lack of) is current flow.

[tomcos67]

I have non of the above mentioned type chargers, nor would I ever own one. Still get 5-8yrs. use from the Interstate batteries I use in ALL my vehicles.

Sold.........

[ViperRon]

Ah time for me........ The new modern Float chargers (Some ) do a fine job of monitoring and charging. However they are not all equal so until you use one and monitor what it really does do not have so much faith or your plates will be dry.

Some will also see a battery below 10 volts refuse to charge and make you think its bad. Just that smart charger getting more battery sales.

Now leave your battery till it gets near dead and you may damage it severely and at least you reduced its life. The chemistry depends on a charge to cycle the acid and if this does not happen things settle things corrode and things short. Wet cell not gel and agm different animals

[tomcos67]

I like the one I've got. It only throws 3/4 of an amp when it's in the bulk charge mode, and then it tapers off to a saturation charge, and finally to the float mode where it monitors the condition of the battery. The battery never gets hot, and it doesn't boil the acid. I've never hurt a battery by properly charging it, but I've sure torn up a few by letting the voltage get too low.

With all the short trips I make at low rpms I'm a lot more worried about low voltage than I am about keeping the battery at a full charge. And I'm a lot more likely to take the word of someone who has actually used a float charger, than someone who never has. Not trying to be nasty - just sayin'.

What brand??nWhere do purchase?