Battery charging question

No real need to disconnect the battery or pull the fuse, but many feel safer by doing it. If you use an alternator and leave it parked for some time then you may want to pull the fuse so you don't drain the battery.

I use a generator with an internal EVR and a cutout and don't ever disconnect the battery and I don't use a fuse. I can grab the battery cable and lift it off if I had to because it's just a slip fit.

I don't use a battery maintainer, but it's fine to use one for extended storage. I park the A in November, when the first salt hits the road, then I take it out in the spring after a couple good rains wash away any trace of salt. This can be a storage of 6 months, but the car fires right up. I'm still using the $2 battery I bought at the recycling yard 6 years ago.
 
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if your charging and you have the battery caps off small little droplets of battery acid will shoot out of the openings and land on your frame and holder and any other metal part and begin the etching and rusting process for you
 
It depends on the reason you are using the battery tender, and what accesorys you are using that need power all the time.

I think of a battery tender/tricle charger as a crutch to get around fixing the real problem that causes the battery the battery to go dead --perhaps a modification to the original car that that doesn't work properly.

I also use Toms method of battery disconnect, but do not normally disconnect the battery ---actually I have not looked at the battery for many years --I know it is still there, even though it has sat for 6 months it still cranks the car (14 year old optima and still going) the regular batterys have lasted 7-9 years ---with no charging between use.

If you have a modification like a 1 wire alternator you might need to dissconnect the battery, the regulator is always sort of awake using electric --or keep it on a battery tender.
 
I bought a 9 volt power pack the little type you plug in the wall socket at the Goodwill store for $1.00 they sold these for tape recorders and radios etc. they are UL approved and have internal built in protection to make them safe a 9 volt one is great for a 6 volt battery you need some extra voltage for it to work ...On the power pack first cut of whatever plug they have on it at the end of the wires there then check to see which wire is + and which is minus - then cut one wire and connected both cut ends to a small resistor about 220 ohms 1/2 watt is fine (Radio Shack ) this is in series with the one wire it does not matter which wire the other wire goes right straight to the alligator clip ... On the ends of both wires then put alligator clips a red and a black for + and - ...This is my one dollar DIY battery maintainer ...It keeps the battery in my A fully charged during the long winter storage ...I do not remove the battery from the car BUT I do have a battery disconnect on it the dis-connect is just in case of a stuck starter or short circuit in the starter to avoid a fire ...Anyway the DIY maintainer I made puts a current of around 35 milliamperes into the battery it will not charge a dead battery ! but it will keep your battery charge up for storage ...this is not critical anything under 100 milliamperes current is fine I did have the first one I made running 300 milliamperes but that caused the battery to loose some water over the winter so I cut it back the water loss was not much but it loses no water at less than 100 MA current ...IF you make one of these it is wise to test it using a V.O.M. (Volt Ohm Milliameter ) to be sure the current is not above 100 MA ... ALSO be sure the polarity is correct remember the Model A is a positive ground system so the + or red clip goes to GROUND on the chassis or firewall and the black or - goes to the negative side of the battery or on the HOT connection on the starter ... I clip mine to the fuse I installed on the starter ...



I have used this device for 3 years now and it keeps my battery at full charge all the time ...This is nice because I do not have to worry about the battery running down and freezing , The car starts really peppy and the battery being at full charge does not load down the alternator or generator whichever you have so it is easier on them too and the fan belt ...My battery is 6 years old now and shows no signs of getting old .... B0b In Michigan
 
I too don't mess around with a battery.. I'm not home during the winter so I just give them a charge [from under the hood] before leaving and expect them to start in the spring.. The last battery in the A only lasted 12 years..
 
Schmacher 6/12 volt trickle charger. Used the ring terminal adapter onto the battery terminals, slipped the wire under the floorboard hatch, connect when the car will be sitting.
Supposed to prevent sulfalation(sp?).

Use the alligator clips on the back up 6V battery and the 12V boat and car batteries monthly to maintain charge.

Use a sufficient gauge extension cord, and keep the charger as far away from the car/batteries as possible (fire/spark).
 
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Based on my experience with a small fleet of farm tractors, some of which tend to sit unused for weeks/months, sulfation IS an issue. The small battery maintainers that bring the battery to full charge and then keep them there are a great way to prevent sulphation. Batteries that fail after 10 or 12 years might not if this were done - once sulphation becomes an issue, curing it is a LOT of work! I paid $25 one of the maintainers - not too bad compared to the cost of a new battery!
 
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