starting with battery maintainer connected | FerrariChat
Buy

starting with battery maintainer connected

Discussion in 'Ferrari Discussion (not model specific)' started by shmark, May 10, 2011.

This site may earn a commission from merchant affiliate links, including eBay, Amazon, Skimlinks, and others.

  1. shmark

    shmark F1 Rookie

    Oct 31, 2003
    2,968
    Atlanta
    Full Name:
    Mark
    #1 shmark, May 10, 2011
    My 308 tends to run out of juice after three weeks and I have yet to track down the cause. But I do have a battery maintainer installed, so it's easy enough to plug it in a couple hours before a drive and no problems. Last week I tried to hop in and go, but there wasn't enough power to turn the engine over, so I plugged it in. After just 10 minutes I hoped it had enough because my wife and I wanted to head out, so I got in and started the car without unplugging it - totally forgot to unplug first. It turned over immediately like the battery was fully charged, effectively a jump-start. After that we drove the car all weekend with no ill effects, and the alternator charged the battery right up.

    I don't plan on making a habit of this, but what are the potential issues with using a battery maintainer as a jump start? I don't think I did any damage and the car ran perfectly afterwards.
     
  2. hotsauce

    hotsauce Formula Junior

    Jan 23, 2011
    682
    around
    #2 hotsauce, May 10, 2011
    sounds safe to me, i dont think the trickle charger isnt sending anymore power than allowed, just enough to charge i believe.

    Good read here.
    http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Trickle_charging

    Float charger

    A float charger differs from a trickle charger in having circuitry to prevent overcharging. It senses when the battery voltage is at the appropriate float level and temporarily ceases charging; it maintains the charge current at zero or a very minimal level until it senses that the battery output voltage has fallen, and then resumes charging. It is important to note that the appropriate float voltage varies significantly with the construction of the battery and the ambient temperature. With the appropriate voltage for the battery type and with proper temperature compensation, a float charger may be kept connected indefinitely without damaging the battery. With a 6-cell (nominal 12V) lead-acid battery the correct float voltage drops by about 0.15 V for a 5°C rise in ambient temperature. Not compensating for this will shorten battery life either by over- or under-charging.
    [edit]Trickle charger

    A trickle charger, on the other hand, will charge no matter whether the battery is fully charged or not, so it needs to be connected and disconnected periodically. Trickle chargers will work to keep the battery charged, if used once a month or so for a day or two, but the float chargers can be left connected indefinitely without potential harm to the battery
     
  3. Darolls

    Darolls F1 Veteran
    BANNED

    Jul 2, 2003
    7,782
    Full Name:
    Sparky
    #3 Darolls, May 11, 2011
    True, but the battery must be fully charged for the maintainer to work properly. I leave my maintainers on for months and have done so for years. Never a problem!

    You can get them from Harbor Freight for under 10 bucks. I even put one on my lawn tractor during the winter months. Just started it yesterday and battery was still fully charged.
     
  4. shmark

    shmark F1 Rookie

    Oct 31, 2003
    2,968
    Atlanta
    Full Name:
    Mark
    #4 shmark, May 11, 2011
    Thanks. Mine is a float charger by that definition, so no danger of overcharging. I was just wondering if there was a risk to the electrical system by inadvertently starting the car with it still connected. I wouldn't think so, and the car has been just fine, but it never hurts to ask.
     
  5. wilkie

    wilkie Karting

    Apr 15, 2005
    100
    L.A., CA
    Full Name:
    Wilkie Cheong
    #5 wilkie, May 11, 2011
    I use battery maintainers ("float chargers") on all my cars and bikes, and love 'em. IMHO, a maintainer (or trickle charger) does not put out enough amperage to fry the electronics or cause any damage if you start the vehicle with it attached.
     
  6. Darolls

    Darolls F1 Veteran
    BANNED

    Jul 2, 2003
    7,782
    Full Name:
    Sparky
    #6 Darolls, May 12, 2011
    Last edited: May 12, 2011
    The worst that might happen is you could pop a fuse. A battery maintainer only puts out about 0.5 Ma.
     

Share This Page