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I don't use my truck as a daily driver so I'm thinking that i should set up a trickle charger .
The trucks been sitting in the workshop since September, I went to check on the condition of the batteries with a multimeter before starting her up and they were down some what , I didn't attempt to start it at this point, instead put a charger on the batteries.
So I'm looking for recommendations on what type of trickle chargers you have on your truck while sitting in the garage for extended period of time.
I have a Jaycar battery charger which has a "pulse" mode on it. I think it monitors the battery level, and once it drops down to a certain percentage (I think 80%?) it charges it - which is good for long term storage. It also has a mode which will maintain at 100%, but I don't use that as I didn't want the potential of boiling my batteries dry. I use it on my motorbike, truck and my camper.
Anyway, I've had it for 6yrs I think now, and am really happy with it. Cost $90 I think when I bought it.
Had it about a year and it's been on the truck constantly when it's not being driven.
It is doing its job and does not appear to be damageing the batteries.
Thanks to all that replied , Brian B that idea with the solar panel is a good option, but I'm not sure if it will have enough power over the winter, maybe.
BigF350, that sig picture of your looks unbelievable old mate the new truck looks great against the back ground, back to the topic , with the charger you have do you leave it on all the time or are you disconnecting it after you have it charged to 80%?
Has anyone checked the voltage with a multimeter after they have had the trickle charger on for some time?
Yeah, that photo is from up in Alaska - beautiful part of the world.
I leave the charger on all the time if I'm not using the vehicle for a while, it works it all out. My tuner on the truck has a voltage readout which I always check before I crank, but never checked with a Multimeter. Usually 12.7-12.8V after plugging in.
The smaller unit has much better cabling and connectors, especially the hard wired vehicle cable. But when I went to get a second one from super- dodgy auto they were out of stock, hence I went with the projector unit.
At the end of the day, they both are small chargers that will charge and then switch to a trickle mode to maintain full charge. They don't dry out the batts. I use them on the F100, the ride-on mower and on the Merc I just sold.
Funny story - the ADF were told they couldn't store their new G-wagens out in the open, so they built a heap of carport structures for them. Problem was they have so much electric & electronic gear in them and they had fitted solar panels to keep them charged up.
Colourbond roof + solar panel = fail
They had to re-roof it with laser lite, our tax dollars at work
Funny story - the ADF were told they couldn't store their new G-wagens out in the open, so they built a heap of carport structures for them. Problem was they have so much electric & electronic gear in them and they had fitted solar panels to keep them charged up.
Colourbond roof + solar panel = fail
They had to re-roof it with laser lite, our tax dollars at work
Well I've had success, with even a small one on a big 200 series battery on my earthmoving equipment.
It was only an "el cheapo" 4W numberplate shape/size version for $20-29au, from a national auto parts/accessories retailer.
As the machine was never parked near a 240V outlet, the solar charger kept the battery above 12.8 volts for over 5 years & the machine would only run for 200-300 engines hours per year!
The battery was 7 years old when it was sold, it still kicked a C Series Cummins (electric shutoff solenoid) to life a good as it ever did.
So as far as I'm concerned, the little solar charger did the job with nearly zero maintenance & no mains power cost
I cannot recommend those cheap supercheap trickle chargers. I put one on a battery about two years ago. I think it's about half charged. Which means it should be about ready for my truck when it finally gets on the road
Well I've had success, with even a small one on a big 200 series battery on my earthmoving equipment.
It was only an "el cheapo" 4W numberplate shape/size version for $20-29au, from a national auto parts/accessories retailer.
As the machine was never parked near a 240V outlet, the solar charger kept the battery above 12.8 volts for over 5 years & the machine would only run for 200-300 engines hours per year!
The battery was 7 years old when it was sold, it still kicked a C Series Cummins (electric shutoff solenoid) to life a good as it ever did.
So as far as I'm concerned, the little solar charger did the job with nearly zero maintenance & no mains power cost
One thing to keep a check on is make sure the "red light" is flashing to assure you it's working. Even before sunrise the red light would be flashing showing a charging cycle! "Jaycar" sells the one I'm referring to as well for $35.As I said, it always did the job over the years, the proofs in the pudding for me
Well thanks everyone for the replies after a lot of research and reading forums like this I've decided to go with the Jaycar model , not just cause of the price but most on here seem to think it does the job for them, I'ts appears to be simple enough and should do what I'm after.
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Solar trickle charger
As I said, it always did the job over the years, the proofs in the pudding for me 
after a lot of research and reading forums like this I've decided to go with the Jaycar model , not just cause of the price but most on here seem to think it does the job for them, I'ts appears to be simple enough and should do what I'm after.