Truckers Report Jobs

Find Trucking Jobs

Company Driver Company Driver Dry Van Dry Van Flatbed Flatbed Refrigerated Refrigerated Specialized Specialized Owner Operator Owner Operator
More Trucking Job Searches ⌄ Fewer Trucking Job Searches
⌃

Float charger for semi that sits for extended times

Discussion in 'Trucks [ Eighteen Wheelers ]' started by JoeF2002, May 6, 2020.

Page 1 of 2
  1. May 6, 2020 #1
    JoeF2002

    JoeF2002 Light Load Member

    165
    119
    Dec 31, 2015
    Saylorsburg, PA
    0
    Question for my truck experts - does anyone have suggestions on a "battery tender or float charger" I could use for my show truck?

    Unfortunately because of this virus, my rig is sitting far longer than I planned on (not used commercially). And I am worried the batteries will die. But at the same time I don't want to just start it and idle it, or take it for short drives. Because from what I'm told that's not good for the DD15 motor.

    I'm not looking for a high-end charger. I am looking for a way to keep a simple, ongoing charge to the four batteries. Similar to what people do with the old cars that sit during winter. I do not want to disconnect them or charge them individually. I am sure there is a tender on the market with enough amperage to maintain all 4 in series, while also monitoring the amperage so as to not overcharge them. Problem is most people don't own a semi truck that sits in the garage for months at a time. So research online has not yielded much info.

    Any insights based on experience would be appreciated. Affordability is priority. Links or product names would also help if you have them. Thx gang
     
    JoeF2002, May 6, 2020
    JoeF2002, May 6, 2020
    #1
    jamespmack Thanks this.
  2. Truckers Report Jobs

    Trucking Jobs in 30 seconds

    Every month 400 people find a job with the help of TruckersReport.

  3. May 6, 2020 #2
    Wasted Thyme

    Wasted Thyme Road Train Member

    7,729
    38,304
    Jan 27, 2020
    GOAT watching
    0
    Wasted Thyme, May 6, 2020
    Wasted Thyme, May 6, 2020
    #2
    JoeF2002 Thanks this.
  4. May 6, 2020 #3
    loudtom

    loudtom Road Train Member

    1,717
    2,800
    Aug 26, 2016
    0
    loudtom, May 6, 2020
    loudtom, May 6, 2020
    #3
    JoeF2002 Thanks this.
  5. May 6, 2020 #4
    Bean Jr.

    Bean Jr. Road Train Member

    5,467
    9,697
    Mar 30, 2014
    0
    I'm not trying to be a jerk, but what kind of show truck has a DD15 and isn't a work truck?
     
    Bean Jr., May 6, 2020
    Bean Jr., May 6, 2020
    #4
    lester, Rubber duck kw, TheLoadOut and 1 other person Thank this.
  7. May 6, 2020 #5
    Capacity

    Capacity Road Train Member

    1,499
    3,116
    Jul 28, 2019
    Neenah Wi
    0
    How do the Solar Chargers do , I've seen a lot of them lately on top of sleepers.
     
    Capacity, May 6, 2020
    Capacity, May 6, 2020
    #5
  8. May 6, 2020 #6
    JoeF2002

    JoeF2002 Light Load Member

    165
    119
    Dec 31, 2015
    Saylorsburg, PA
    0
    It's a replica of the Transformers truck Optimus Prime. www.optimusishere.com

    (future commenters please stay focused on the charger question. I'm well aware of how many aren't fans of this version or truck style)
     
    JoeF2002, May 6, 2020
    JoeF2002, May 6, 2020
    #6
    Bean Jr. Thanks this.
  9. May 6, 2020 #7
    Wasted Thyme

    Wasted Thyme Road Train Member

    7,729
    38,304
    Jan 27, 2020
    GOAT watching
    0
    not sure yet, but the reviews seemed ok. Though TBH I should have read it a bit more. It is a trickle charge to keep things from draining it via normal use. Like alarm systems and other constant running electronics on the modern vehicle.

    I was looking for something to offset the drain of a 150 watt inverter I am using to charge my laptop battery.
     
    Wasted Thyme, May 6, 2020
    Wasted Thyme, May 6, 2020
    #7
  10. May 6, 2020 #8
    RocketScott

    RocketScott Medium Load Member

    579
    946
    Apr 10, 2013
    Kentucky
    0
    Cool truck, I like it. My neighbor kids call my truck Optimus Prime because it actually does transform. Just into a crane, not a robot

    My truck sits for extended periods of time too. It only goes out when I have a job that requires it. When it's home I have one of these to maintain the four group 31 batteries:

    Cabela's Pro Series Onboard Marine Battery Charger : Cabela's

    They used to make larger versions that will maintain multiple battery banks. I don't see them now but since Bass Pro bought Cabela's they have been eliminating Cabela's branded stuff. There's a Bass Pro version but I don't know how it compares
     
    RocketScott, May 6, 2020
    RocketScott, May 6, 2020
    #8
    JoeF2002 Thanks this.
  11. May 7, 2020 #9
    Bean Jr.

    Bean Jr. Road Train Member

    5,467
    9,697
    Mar 30, 2014
    0
    Thanks. I really wasn't knocking a particular brand of truck, more the years that would have one. I was genuinely curious.
     
    Bean Jr., May 7, 2020
    Bean Jr., May 7, 2020
    #9
    JoeF2002 and RocketScott Thank this.
  12. May 7, 2020 #10
    jamespmack

    jamespmack Road Train Member

    19,791
    213,350
    Mar 25, 2014
    OH
    0
    I have been using Battery Tender brands for years on motorcycle, tractor, spare semi, and extra pickup that hardly gets driven. Big improvement is my motorcycle battery life. Last one went 7 years. They never last very long. Back up semi is kept on tender and they are 9 years old. They do need replace soon.
    They charge and discharge to keep battery conditioned.

    Hope this helps.
     
    jamespmack, May 7, 2020
    jamespmack, May 7, 2020
    #10
    JoeF2002 Thanks this.
  • Truckers Report Jobs

    Trucking Jobs in 30 seconds

    Every month 400 people find a job with the help of TruckersReport.

    • Page 1 of 2