[T3] Trickle Charger

Fri Aug 12 06:02:14 PDT 2011

I find this business with batteries crazy.  I have an old Bosch 'white'
battery in my Variant (Squareback).  It must be at least 6 years old, and
may be older.   In the past 2 years the car was started maybe once every 6
months for about 18 months and run until properly warmed up - didn't even
leave home.  Often it turned the engine over and over while the fuel was
pumped through to the carbs.  I usually then put it on maybe 1/2 amp charge
for a few days perhaps 5 times in all the 18 months.  It has been used
monthly since then, including the 1500 miles to Wolfsburg and back, and has
only needed the normal charging with the dynamo.  Same old battery, abused
by neglect, not pampered, car lives outside.

These Bosch batteries are around $60- $70 equivalent, so not a bad price for
quality.  

Can't you guys in the USA make a decent battery any more?  I wouldn't trust
a UK one either, so I'm not being gung-ho about this - Lucas are joked about
in the USA.

Virtually all modern batteries here are sealed - no gassing that I know.

Since fitting batteries to my cars myself, I've not had the crusting of
corrosion which Jim blames on 'mechanics' using a hammer to fit the clamps -
ugh!!

Dave
UK VW Type 3&4 Club
===================

-----Original Message-----
From: type3-vwtype3.org-bounces at lists.vwtype3.org
[mailto:type3-vwtype3.org-bounces at lists.vwtype3.org] On Behalf Of Jeremy
Menzies
Sent: 12 August 2011 08:37
To: type3 at vwtype3.org
Subject: Re: [T3] Trickle Charger

That's unfortunate that you might not be able to have him charge it for you.
The Optimas are pretty pricey and finding one that's short enough to fit
under the back seat might be a challenge.  Batteries can be hard to figure
out exactly without seeing the size needs and sometimes store people don't
spend the time to really figure out what would work.
The model of that Schumacher charger I mentioned is SC-600A.  I wouldn't
worry too much if you did decide to bring the battery with you and charge it
inside.  They don't typically off-gas a lot, even if on a fast charge and
just sitting, there's not really any.  I'd say just crack a window and
you're fine.
Sounds like investigating a cost effective solar charger might not be a bad
idea.  If your friend can't plug in the charger for you and you can't bring
the battery to where you can charge it, it'd be a reliable way to keep
things charged up..  I'd bet you could carefully route the wires so they
wouldn't be damaged and you'd still be able to close the door.  The charger
I know of is like $99 (made by Pulse Tech) but there are probably equivalent
ones for less.  Or, you figure $99 and making your battery last for 5 years,
that's about $20 a year...

> From: adriel_rowley at hotmail.com
> To: type3 at vwtype3.org
> Date: Wed, 10 Aug 2011 21:51:14 -0700
> Subject: Re: [T3] Trickle Charger
> 
> 
> 
> 
> ----------------------------------------
> > From: skellzangelz at hotmail.com
> > To: type3 at vwtype3.org
> > Date: Wed, 10 Aug 2011 23:15:41 -0400
> > Subject: Re: [T3] Trickle Charger
> >
> >
> > Optima batteries are definitely going to hold a charge longer than the
standard lead acid ones but if you leave it for a long time without driving
(like months at a time), they'll still go dead and you'll be an extra $100
in the hole for one of those. What if you just periodically charged the
battery still in the car like once a month? Bring over a few beers and hang
out for some hours while it charges. Or maybe see if your friend could throw
on a charger at night for you when the kids aren't running about?
> 
> I feel I am wearing out my welcome at Jack's, and last time he tried to
help, said he would no longer.  I will be going to Tempe Arizona in a day or
two, so not like I can go over every month.  
> 
> Also, for your information, I do not partake of addictive substances 
> as do not want to chain my spirituality to a substance, only God.  
> Have experienced rum by accident, drank beer as too tired to fight off 
> the pressure, and had a contact high as a Simon and Garfunkel concert, 
> so it is like I am being close minded: have some understanding how 
> they could be enjoyable.  I enjoy serving no master but a loving God. 
> ;)
> 
> If an Optima went dead, be replaced for free, versus prorated.  This
battery has lasted two years so far, as been trying real hard to keep it
charged up.  But, forgot before the emergency trip to disconnect it.
> 
> > The solar chargers are good if there's plenty of sun where you are and
you can probably find a decent one for under $100. My vote would be stick
with the standard battery and get a charger that has a fast and slow charge
setting. At a minimum, do a once a month charge session with it, preferably
once every two weeks for top battery life. With a fast charge, you could
probably fill up a partially discharged battery in 3-5 hours and with the
slow charge, your friend could throw it on overnight for you if you can't
get over there.
> 
> Enough sun to melt it...  I paid a whole $40 for it, and never was sure if
it was working.
> 
> I went to the L.A.P.S., and when I called, said they had an Optima that be
the right fit for $107.  Go in, and have none that will fit right, and the
closest they wanted $160! :O  I could not believe them trying to scam me by
being dishonest.  Might give them another try, as this one time did not go
right in like I normally do.  Big businesses are getting to big to care.
So, for now considering taking the battery with me, and getting the trickle
charger you recommended.  Only thing is not sure about having the fumes in
the apartment though and then the Squareback not movable per our agreement.
Guess could use the jump function on the charger on the battery leads to
jump it.
> 
> I looked for Schumacher model you mentioned, but not finding it.  Do you
have a number for it?
> 
> > Just some thoughts...
> > -Jeremy
> >
> Very good thoughts, and another reason to be glad for the List.  I 
> might have gone out and done the wrong thing: too young to have all 
> the experience. ;/
> 
> 
> Thank you,
> Adriel
> 
>  		 	   		  
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