Posted 2017-01-31 11:38 AM (#169215) Subject: need help with battery tenders
Veteran
Posts: 153 Location: Grant City, Missouri
I asked this in another post of mine, but since it got buried there with other issues, I will repost here. I have been reading the posts relating to keeping trailer batteries charged in the winter. My husband bought a couple of trickle chargers but I told him after reading here that what we needed was battery tenders! Do I need the Battery Tender, Jr. or the Battery Tender plus? Does it take care of both batteries at the same time? Thanks
Posted 2017-02-02 7:40 AM (#169239 - in reply to #169215) Subject: RE: need help with battery tenders
Regular
Posts: 88 Location: Washington
I didn't go back and reread your other post but..........my first thought is if you can plug a battery tender in to keep your batteries good then leave the trailer plugged in. The onboard charger should do just as good. If that's not working properly, then either one of the two you mentioned should be fine. I just leave my LQ plugged in. That charges the batteries and makes all of the lights etc. available without any concern of pulling the batteries down.
Posted 2017-02-02 7:11 PM (#169242 - in reply to #169215) Subject: RE: need help with battery tenders
Veteran
Posts: 153 Location: Grant City, Missouri
Thanks for the reply. I just don't understand how it works. Do you attach it to Just one battery? All I want to do is maintain the batteries. I don't want to over charge but I live in North Missouri and I don't want to ruin the new batteries. I don't understand the difference in the Jr. and the plus?
Posted 2017-02-03 2:00 AM (#169243 - in reply to #169242) Subject: RE: need help with battery tenders
Extreme Veteran
Posts: 304
I use a Battery Tender Jr on both my batteries to keep them in optium condition. I bring them inside during winter months when I know they won't be in use. I connect them to each other just like when they are installed in trailer battery box. Hook up battery tender and leave it that way until next spring. My conversion company advised me NOT to leave trailer plugged into shore power continuously. They said the onboard converters can over charge your batteries and boil them dry.
Posted 2017-02-03 8:22 AM (#169246 - in reply to #169243) Subject: RE: need help with battery tenders
Regular
Posts: 88 Location: Washington
rockyrider - 2017-02-03 2:00 AM I use a Battery Tender Jr on both my batteries to keep them in optium condition. I bring them inside during winter months when I know they won't be in use. I connect them to each other just like when they are installed in trailer battery box. Hook up battery tender and leave it that way until next spring. My conversion company advised me NOT to leave trailer plugged into shore power continuously. They said the onboard converters can over charge your batteries and boil them dry.
Good point raised about overcharging. I would think (I've been assuming) a good modern converter/charger unit would go to trickle when the battery charge is complete. I will be checking my water and owner's manual today. As for removing the batteries, I'm always hopeful that I will use the trailer at some point during the winter.Depends on your climate I suppose.
Lea Anne, for convenience some of the trickle chargers come with leads that can be left on the battery then just disconnect the charger when you want to move the trailer. BatteryMinder is another good supplier.
Posted 2017-02-08 12:54 PM (#169308 - in reply to #169215) Subject: RE: need help with battery tenders
Expert
Posts: 5870 Location: western PA
12v batteries are attached to the trailer in parallel. 6V batteries are attached in series to equal 12V. ?To attach your battery tender, simply attach the red + lead to the + battery terminal, and the tender's black lead to either the - negative battery terminal if one is installed, or a grounded area on the trailer's frame if two batteries are installed . ?The tender can be left on for the season, and will maintain the batteries' maxium voltage without overcharging. The Lq's charging system is not used at all.
Posted 2017-02-12 3:28 PM (#169335 - in reply to #169215) Subject: RE: need help with battery tenders
Veteran
Posts: 153 Location: Grant City, Missouri
Thank you Gard. I have a Battery Tender Plus coming. So I can leave the batteries in the box and attach to one battery and the batteries will take care of themselves. I need to leave the power on "off" to the living quarters?
need help with battery tenders
