Battery: Trickle Charger Vs Kill Switch

Since I've only owned two old Jeeps I'm no expert but here in Montana we tend to have some amount of winter and batteries in infrequently used vehicles take a lot of abuse. In my old M38 I had 2 batteries because it was 24volt, batteries were always near dead when I wanted to start it so my solution was I bought 2 12V solar panels from Northern Tool, that fixed that problem. Batteries were always fully charged. My current unit is a '57 CJ5 6volt which proved to be more challenging to keep charged. Finding a solar charger in 6V was difficult but what I ended up with was a unit from Cabelas they sell for keeping game feeder batteries charged. It's small about 4"x6" but puts out just enough fractional amps to keep the battery up. I moved this year and now have indoor or covered parking for all my vehicles, the Jeep is in the barn so I bought the battery maintainer Costco sells, it's 6V or 12V and works well. I also have a quick disconnect on the negative cable, it's a knurled black knob that loosens and tightens easily, I know there is no draw when the ignition is off but it always seemed like something was drawing the batteries down in both units so I always disconnected the ground. Just my 3 cents worth.

 

Batteries will discharge slowly over time even if there not hooked to anything, something like 1/2 amp per week. It is best to keep them on a maintainer when not in use.

I have 2 of these from Cycle gear, $29 a piece.

 

I have a cut off switch. It was originally for marine use and is also an isolator for my dual batteries. I used to disconnect my Neg. cable when my Jeep sat for extended periods of time. If I didn't my battery would drain. The cool thing about the switch is point #2 above. It is keyed and can be locked. Not total theft prevention but definitely a deterrent.

 

I have always tried to give my idle batteries one or two "top-ups" during the winter, so as they won't freeze. Supposedly a discharged battery will freeze easier.

At the same time, it definitely prevents any damage from a deep discharge, which will certainly hurt a conventional battery.

 

As a Ham radio operator with a couple of C&D batteries from a commercial UPS the C-Tek 3300 does so much more than a battery tender. Battery tender is good but I've brought dead batteries back to life with my C-Tek 3300. If you order on line make sure you get the 110 volt unit. It comes 110 or 220. It's not auto sensing

 

It seems that it is a big subject...
I remember that on a old Willys waiting months in a barn, it started well with the battery connected all the time.
I use a switch to disconnect (if I don't forget) but there is no difference, if I don't use the switch it works.
I have a Black & Decker maintener which works well. I don't drive long enough to refill my battery so I need it.
Batteries don't like cold weather, they must be well filled, and there are difference of quality.
The idea is to check them with a special tool which give the power, not only the voltage. Then you know.

 

To keep the battery you need a "smart" charger. C-Tek have chargers like that.
Master Voltage Switch is a must from a lot of reasons.