Trickle charge?

[chriscowles]

I just bought a pair of Duracell (Deka) 12v deep cycle (not dual-purpose) batteries. I also bought a Battery Tender Jr. (http://www.amazon.com/Battery-Tender.../dp/B000CITK8S) to keep them charged at home.

While perusing the East Penn/Deka web site I found mention that keeping a deep cycle battery plugged in continuously to a trickle charger WILL (their emphasis) cause damage. Does that mean a Battery Tender Jr. is a bad idea? Or is it different in a way that avoids damage?

Thanks

Sent from my phone using Tapatalk.

[rana]

Your battery tender Jr. will do just fine. Completely different animal than what they are talking about (automotive trickle charger). You're good to go. Just keep an eye on the water levels every 30 days or so when in storage.

[chriscowles]

Thanks. Other than that concern my plans seem okay. I have the pair connected to single charger in parallel. I had a sustained red light at first but figured out that's because I had discharged one of them a little.

After connecting them separately until I got a green light on each, then connecting them in parallel, I now have a sustained green light on both, together.

Sent from my phone using Tapatalk.

[Limey]

I hope your BT Jr works for you. I had a BT Plus that would not keep my 2 batteries charged completely. I agree with Yarome, do not use a trickle charger, or u will cause damage to your batteries.

[WFD]

A Battery Tender is not the same animal as a trickle charger.

[camaraderie]

The BEST way to care for your batteries is to charge them to 100% then disconnect the negative wire (or use a mechanical cutoff switch on that wire...NOT the coach cutoff switch). NO further charging should be necessary for at least 2 months even in hot weather. Once the battery gets down to 50-70%....plug in or give the genny a run and put a full charge back on.
A battery tender is not needed AND batteries in addition to needing to get fully charged....need to get "stirred up" by bulk level charging to prevent sulfation.
Extended use of a battery tender will not hurt the battery. Failing to allow the battery to fall to the 50-70% level and get properly charged will.
For the record...I like battery tender...for limited purposes and limited duration it is a fine product.

[chriscowles]

When not camping my batteries serve a different purpose. My wife and I both use CPAP and can't sleep well without it. Having been reminded of that fact by a recent power failure, I justified purchase of a new pair 12v deep cycle batteries for the trailer by having them in reserve at home. We'll use the same 12v connectors at home that we have for camping. Again, a dual purpose purchase.

That being the case, the batteries need to be fully charged at all times in case of power outage. Hence the Battery Tender. They'll get discharged more fully when we go camping.

Thanks