float charger

[jimkroeker]

There is a 1.5 amp float charger available at Northern Tool/Hydraulic for $!4.99. It is made to be hardwired to your battery and left there or you can use the battery clamps for intermittent use. lt has a quick disconnect in the charging line. The float charger keeps your battery at full charge without overcharging your battery. lt normally costs $29.99 but is on sale now and l got a coupon for $5.00 off a $15.00 purchase so l got a charger, a big candy bar, and a stomach ache for $ 12.00. l suspect the pigtail could be snaked up to where the windshield wipers park and it could be connected and removed without opening the hood. lt has little dummy plugs to go into the quick disconnect to keep water and dirt out when not being used. My X will be sitting idle for about a month, so l will be installing this little charger on my battery soon.

 

[hawkeye372]

Sounds like a plan to me. I bought a Schumacher tender for 42$. When checked out the salesperson printed out a long receipt and told me this has a rebate. Then she also said it comes with a $10 gift card ( mail in rebate) to their store. Autozone.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[ccclarke]

You get what you pay for. The Battery Tender and Battery Minder are microprocessor-controlled chargers that pulse the battery periodically to reduce plate sulphation, and they aren't terribly expensive. If your charger doesn't do this, your battery will not have the same type of protection, especially if you park your car for extended periods.

CC

 

[jimkroeker]

float charger, battery tender

Thanks, CC,
This little float charger is pretty much like what you described. lt was designed to keep sulphate from forming on the plates and maintain a full charge on the battery. So far it is maintaining a constant 13.66 volt charge on the battery. l am trying it on a different vehicle before putting it on the X. Just hoping it doesn't crap out after 2 weeks. Otherwise so far so good.
Jim

 

[pure zen]

automatic shut-off

I will agree with CCC,,,,,,Battery Tender Plus is the best charger for longer term use,,,,,since it has automatic shut-off feature. I have four vehicles plus one boat on chargers... Boat charger and one on a car are 'not' automatic shut-off models, so I only use them on weekend periods..... The Battery Tender Plus models are on 24/7, and have been used for over 5 years w/o any problems. A few bucks more, but worth the extra money for peace of mind.

Sounds like your new charger has the same feature..... good luck

 

[hawkeye372]

I just went and tested to figure out the best way to plug in or snake the cord through. I figured out that I can snake one end of the cord through then Cadillac emblem, then use the quick release to unplug from battery when I use the car. This way I can still keep the hood closed and not run down the battery and hood light.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[hawkeye372]

my 06 check up

When i went to start up the xlr my tire pressure light came on. So before i went to run my errand, i headed straight to the dealerships "Quick Pit stop". They gave her a complete check up and told me i was slightly out of alignment. They corrected that problem and went over the diagnoses paperwork. I asked the question that i was planing on doing for a couple weeks now. "What is the timeframe where i would be needing to look for new tires"? They told me when i get around the 3 range. I'm around the 5 range which is still in the good range they said. So all in all she passed everything and the one thing she failed they were able to fix. But this was because i was just a little bit out of alignment.

While i was there i also asked them to show me the best way to install my battery tender. The guy was very helpful and told me that the best place is either going through the wheel well or go up through the windshield area. Since the connectors should be visible. its one of those easy connect/disconnect

[TABLE="class: compare_list, width: 100%"]
<tbody style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; ">[TR="bgcolor: transparent"]
[TD="bgcolor: transparent"]Charger Type[/TD]
[TD="bgcolor: transparent"]Fully Automatic Microprocessor Controlled
[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR="bgcolor: transparent"]
[TD="bgcolor: transparent"]Output Voltage[/TD]
[TD="bgcolor: transparent"]6V/12VDC
[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR="bgcolor: transparent"]
[TD="bgcolor: transparent"]Input Voltage[/TD]
[TD="bgcolor: transparent"]120VAC
[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR="bgcolor: transparent"]
[TD="bgcolor: transparent"]Output Current Cont[/TD]
[TD="bgcolor: transparent"]1A
[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR="bgcolor: transparent"]
[TD="bgcolor: transparent"]Warranty Period[/TD]
[TD="bgcolor: transparent"]5
[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR="bgcolor: transparent"]
[TD="bgcolor: transparent"]Period Type[/TD]
[TD="bgcolor: transparent"]Year
[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR="bgcolor: transparent"]
[TD="bgcolor: transparent"]Rating Agency[/TD]
[TD="bgcolor: transparent"]C-UL-US
BC
[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR="bgcolor: transparent"]
[TD="bgcolor: transparent"]RoHS[/TD]
[TD="bgcolor: transparent"]-
[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR="bgcolor: transparent"]
[TD="bgcolor: transparent"]Sell Country[/TD]
[TD="bgcolor: transparent"]Canada
United States of America
[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR="bgcolor: transparent"]
[TD="bgcolor: transparent"]Energy Star[/TD]
[TD="bgcolor: transparent"]-
[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR="bgcolor: transparent"]
[TD="bgcolor: transparent"]Input Current Cont[/TD]
[TD="bgcolor: transparent"]0.4A[/TD]
[/TR]
</tbody>[/TABLE]

 

[GizmoQ]

You get what you pay for. The Battery Tender and Battery Minder are microprocessor-controlled chargers that pulse the battery periodically to reduce plate sulphation, and they aren't terribly expensive. If your charger doesn't do this, your battery will not have the same type of protection, especially if you park your car for extended periods.

I agree - you get what you pay for. But sometimes you have to get what matches your lifestyle. My choice for a battery maintainer had to fit me, so I went with the Century 87002 because its installed in the car right next to the battery, the cord is just long enough that I can prop it with the weatherstripping at the windshield allowing access without opening the hood, and I can plug it in wherever the car may be. Between extended stays at different mod shops, and my travels, I've had to store the car for weeks in several different states. Super convenient, I just gab any available extension cord, walk over to the bottom of the windshield, and plug it in.

I checked it out pretty thoroughly and it has close to the same specs as the base Battery Tender:

Product Features

QUALITY FEATURES

Fully Automatic operation - Red LED indicates charge status
Reverse Polarity and short protection
Sonically sealed, durable plastic case prevents damage to charger from oil,water,gasoline and automotive fluids

MULTI-USE CHARGER / MAINTAINER

1.5 amp Float Mode Charging and Maintaining of 12 volt batteries
Excellent for maintaining the charge of batteries in storage
Improves cold weather starting
Water and shock proof
Shock & Vibration Resistant
Lightweight - LESS THAN 4 POUNDS!
Microprocessor Controlled
Charges both flooded (wet) & sealed maintenance free lead acid batteries
Charges any size (capacity) lead acid battery
Multi Stage Charging Logic for Safe Charging

EASY TO MOUNT AND USE

Mounts on fender or anywhere inside engine compartment
Battery attachment kit included, mounting bracket and hardware included
Attaches directly to battery charging circuit with no harm to unit or vehicle Plug charger into 120v. outlet
On-board charging
Attaches directly to battery charging circuit with no harm to unit or vehicle
Weather resistant plastic case
1 yr limited warranty.

Charging Mode: Automatic
Voltage Settings: 12
12 Volt Charging Amps UL & CSA Rating: 1.5
Warranty: 1 Year Limited
Shipping Weight: 2.5 lbs.

 

[hawkeye372]

Yes, I agree with you giz. Mine fit with my lifestyle of it has a 20 foot cord, easy to operate and easy plugs so I can either plug the alligator clamps in for that shorter time or I can attach the smaller eye bolt cables for the longer months and then easy disconnect/reconnect from main unit for those quick nice weather rides


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[XFireXLR]

I agree - you get what you pay for. But sometimes you have to get what matches your lifestyle. My choice for a battery maintainer had to fit me, so I went with the Century 87002 because its installed in the car right next to the battery, the cord is just long enough that I can prop it with the weatherstripping at the windshield allowing access without opening the hood, and I can plug it in wherever the car may be. Between extended stays at different mod shops, and my travels, I've had to store the car for weeks in several different states. Super convenient, I just gab any available extension cord, walk over to the bottom of the windshield, and plug it in.

I checked it out pretty thoroughly and it has close to the same specs as the base Battery Tender:

I have the same on my car also.....got it at Amazon for $26.00......