I don’t want to talk about a trickle charger but here I is.

[_Sheffjs_]

I will be leaving my Wing in NC at our new pad and yes there will be some lonely times for her. I don’t want to leave a constant trickle charger on it while we are away, so my idea is get an Intermatic timer that supplies the trickle charger power for a half hour per week. Thoughts?   

[Chrisj CMA]

They make smart chargers that will cut off until the charge falls below a certain point. Does it all for you

[Jess from VA]

I've been using low volt (750mA) smart (float) chargers 24 X 7 X 365 (when parked at home) for around 15 years with excellent results (and no mishaps).   But, not attached to my house (like a garage).  

If your timer fails with the constant trickle charger on, bad things will happen.

Add GFCI and surge protection to your plan.

Or, you could take the battery with you.   

[carolinarider09]

I've been using low volt (750mA) smart (float) chargers 24 X 7 X 365 (when parked at home) for around 15 years with excellent results (and no mishaps).   But, not attached to my house (like a garage).  

If your timer fails with the constant trickle charger on, bad things will happen.

Add GFCI and surge protection to your plan.

Or, you could take the battery with you.   

Me Too.   Every vehicle/bike/mower that has a battery and is not used on a regular (read weekly) basis has one.  My deep cycle 12VDC battery I used for astronomy also has one. 

In my case surge protection (except for the very remote location) is provided via the house incoming power with a on-line surge protection system for both phases. 

[Robert]

I have installed these boat chargers on cars that worked really well. They charge, condition, float then shut off till the charge drops below a certain value, then turn back on. Which means that they can be left on 24/7 and it will actually be good for the battery and not overcharge them.

The outputs are fused, the unit is thermally protected, will charge one battery with 10 amps if needed if the other battery is fully charged and can be mounted almost anywhere.


GUEST
ChargePro™ Onboard Battery Charger 5A / 12V, 1 Bank

This is the single bank

https://www.westmarine.com/guest-chargepro-onboard-battery-charger-5a-12v-1-bank-18697342.html

This is the double bank so you could charge 2 batteries at one time

https://www.westmarine.com/guest-chargepro-onboard-battery-charger-10a-12v-2-bank-18697359.html


I have the experience with the double output ones and they are really good and do what regular trickle chargers cannot do.

[Valker]

I had a trickle charger back in the days before smart chargers. I plugged it in to a socket plug on my garage door opener. Every time the opener cycled, it stayed on for 5 or 10 minutes then went off until next time.

[h13man]

Deltran Tender Jr. have been around for quite some time. It's the only brand I trust to "float" full time. Schumacher makes one that was $10 but a year ago I saw they were $20. I wouldn't use any Harbor Freight or other wanna be float chargers.

On a note I wouldn't use a float charger on a typical wet acid battery (screw on caps) variety without being able to monitor it closely.

[scooperhsd]

I used to have to change motorcycle batterys every 2-3 years. Then I got a Battery Tender Jr. Now I can get 5-7 years . Well worth getting and using.

[Patrick]

If what u have is an older regular  trickle charger then using it with a timer is just fine. Most are  24 hr units,  an hour/day won't hurt.

[_Sheffjs_]

Seeing the smart charger is cheaper than the needed programmable Intermatic timer, Smart charger ordered. Thanks!   

[Patrick]

Hmm, 'a needed Intermatic timer' ?  Didn't know that.

For years when  we left for the winters I used a basic cheap walmart timer set for about an hour  per day.

[_Sheffjs_]

I was thinking to go with the Intermatic that gave me power once in seven days. More the digital model. Im sure it would work but I like the smart route.

[Patrick]

I  was just thinking maybe you didn't want to buy anything and had an old type charger.