Trickle Chargers ?

[TJP440]

Which type / brand of trickle chargers are being used with reliable results ?
:beer:

 

[HuskerRam]

I like the NOCO brands. I've got a GENIUS5 I use to keep my wife's battery charged.

https://no.co/multi-purpose

 

[Jeepwalker]

There are several good ones.

I like the BatteryMinder ..HERE. Model 1500. It's not a fast charger (I have other chargers for fast charging) ...but a reliable trickle charger like you asked. I've had mine for many yrs ...maybe 13-14 years?? I've had other trickle chargers and larger chargers but IMO this one I have been super happy with. I did my research on them back in the day. I use it ALL the time, more than any of the other chargers I have.

One great feature many don't regularly speak about is, the LED's are very bright. So, if I have it outside sitting on a car tire aimed at the house, charging a battery, I can easily see from the kitchen window 25-30' away what the status is. I don't have to go out and look at it with a flashlight in my jammies at night. Even in the day you can see the status. Same if it's in the shop...I can see from across the shop what the status is. If the green light is blinking, it's still charging. If they're both staying on....then I know it's finished and I can move it around to another vehicle (which I move around every couple weeks to various vehicles, classic cars, etc I don't drive much). But no problem leaving it on full time either. It shuts off when finished. It's never acted flaky -- ever.

A couple other nice features are: Long cord. Charges multiple batteries, Ambient temperature regulated. Small. Lightweight. Doesn't build up heat. Seems to be waterproof. And most importantly *reliable*. I'm not afraid to leave it on if I'm not around ...and I do frequently. OTOH, I have a very expensive Optima charger which also has a trickle function ...and I've had that cook batteries, or not shut off. I wouldn't leave that on a battery unsupervised. But the Battery Minder, has earned my confidence. Great little charger IMO.

 

[04fxdwgi]

Been using 3 of these for 15 years and never a problem. Keeps batteries topped off without boiling them off. Three year batteries tend to last me 5-6 with these. Had them in both my trailered boats (both with big blocks) and Kawi jetski and never had a dead battery.

2 battery tenders failed on me and boiled off the batteries they were connected to, destroying the batteries.

 

[Ecobuilder]

Successfully used a Schumacher SC1323 to trickle charge, desulphate, and bring back to life various automotive & marine batteries.

Quite affordable - $80 CAD.

 

[Michael Phipps]

I use a simple battery Tender setup on my wife's jeep. I think it cost me $45 and it's handled everything I've thrown at it so far.

 

[TJP440]

Thanks for all the responses, much appreciated. I have 2 vehicles and 2 tractors than see intermittent use depending on the time of year.

Anymore comments/suggestions?

BTW this "BORED" Rocks

 

[kurek]

I'll just add that I find it convenient when a maintenance charger has a hook so it can be hung from the hood latch while in use (indoors, presumably you wouldn't have the hood wide open if you store the car outdoors) and also can be hung from a peg while not in use for storage.

 

[joesstripclub]

I've had good luck with the Noco chargers, think I have 2 or 3 now. They have settings for different battery chemistries which is nice for a good variety of modern batteries. The only thing I dont like is they use a proprietary connector for the alligator clip lead instead of the standard connector, so you have to buy an adapter if you want to cross connect.

I have a real basic trickle charger that is probably 20 years old at this point that still works great. Will have to find the brand of it if its even still in production. Tried a battery tender from costco a few years ago and it pooped out in a few months so replaced it with another Noco.

 

[rule18]

I like the NOCO brands. I've got a GENIUS5 I use to keep my wife's battery charged.

https://no.co/multi-purpose

X2. Been using this one for years with expected results. I've used the repair function a few times which seems to work as well.

 

[Dean2]

Have 6 low amp tenders by NOCO that I use on the various vehicles, all with quick connect battery leads so I don't have to use the alligator clips. They range from .750 Amp to 2 Amp. They work excellent, have a battery recondition function, safe to leave on a battery as they completely quit charging once the battery is at full charge. Output voltage and amps go to zero. A lot of other battery minders do not go to zero. The NOCOs don't start charging again until the battery voltage drops enough.

I also have a larger NOCO that has a battery conditioner function that due to the higher amp output works better for badly sulphated batteries. It too works great, as do the 4 NOCO jump boxes I carry in my vehicles.

Over the years I have owned a variety of makes, still have a couple, but have switched almost all to NOCO for the ones I use all the time.




Also come with alligator clips that attach to the quick connect coupler an the charger.

 

[Curmudgeon]

Thanks for all the responses, much appreciated. I have 2 vehicles and 2 tractors than see intermittent use depending on the time of year.

Anymore comments/suggestions?

BTW this "BORED" Rocks

Ive seen this one recommended several times. I bought one but haven't used it yet.
Looks convenient but not intended to be portable. Noco Genius 2D. Try the Noco web site to see other models that may be better suited.

https://www.amazon.com/NOCO-GENIUS2...588087&sprefix=noco+geniu,aps,121&sr=8-1&th=1

 

[MrBonez]

I still have an old style "Blue Point" (Snap-On generic brand) charger I got off the tool truck some 30 years ago and it has a 2 amp setting I use for that purpose whenever I need to.
To this day it gets the job done for all batteries I've got around here at least.
While not a battery-minder style charger it works with everything I've got.

 

[shmedley]

I've had good luck with a CTEK MXS 5.0. Has brought back a months dead battery but I had to put it on a old non electronic controlled charger for 5 minutes for a little charge first.
They make a lot of the ones manufactures sell/have

 

[mikeru]

I use a simple battery Tender setup on my wife's jeep. I think it cost me $45 and it's handled everything I've thrown at it so far.

Add me to the Battery Tender list. Many years of use on several different vehicles for winter storage.

 

[Frisk]

I have the Norco 2 Amp charger permanetly mounted in my truck. I use it in the winter to keep the battery topped up as during the winter it is dark/cold (who would have guessed!) during most of my driving. This means all the lights, heated seats and defrosters/fans are on plus my starter is drawing a lot of current to start the engine. Given my short drive to work I was not really keeping the battery in top shape. I bought a Y plug so it powers on the charger when I plug in the battery blanket. I followed the Youtube video of Eric O at South Main Auto.
2 Amp Charger Install

 

[Smokeybear01]

I hardwired my battery tender in with a plug hanging out from under the grill next to the plug for my block heater. I only plug in the block heater when it's really cold, but I leave the battery tender plugged in 24/7. It keeps both batteries (diesel) peaked up without cooking them and like someone mentioned earlier, 3 yr batteries from Wally are still going strong at 6 years with zero problems. The battery tender fluctuates on need but peaks at 1.5Amp

 

[sleboom]

I use the Schumacher trickle charger.

 

[Bighorn_Brown]

I’m using the Optima D200; purchased from Amazon for $99 last December. It’s been working great for me.

Took if off the charger for the first time over the 4th of July weekend 2025. Battery worked just like it was new.

I’ve got no complaints so far.

 

[Rustypipes12]

I've had great luck with this. It will also reconditon a battery. I finally replaced the 10 year old battery in my UTV . I would hook this up on repair ( pulse) and I t would work for months .