Episodes
Sunday Nov 07, 2010
Sunday Nov 07, 2010
More information can be found at http://autobatterytricklecharger.net/solar-battery-trickle-charger.html
A solar battery trickle charger will make you sing, “Here comes the Sun!” with even more gusto – Because it will be charging your vehicle’s battery.
When you get your solar battery trickle charger you’ll want to get the most out of it so set the panel in such a way that it gets the maximum exposure to the sun. Then plug the 5-watt trickle charger into your vehicle’s 12-volt lighter socket and your battery will begin charging.
There are also alligator clips included that can be attached directly to the battery for situations where there isn’t a lighter socket or you want to keep the socket free for charging a cell phone or other device.
This piece of equipment has numerous applications; all terrain vehicles (ATV), boats, tractors, electric fences, telemetry, recreational vehicles (RV), and more. It will even work on cloudy days. It’s great when a clean and silent charging of electric or electronic devices would be beneficial, say outdoors, where you don’t want to disturb the natural environment.
The most popular model today is the Sunforce 50022. It is of hardy construction with amorphous solar cells, and made of durable ABS plastic. It weighs in at a mere 4 pounds and measures 14 x 0.75 x 13 inches making it easily portable and simple to set up. With a temperature range of -40 to 176-degrees Fahrenheit it is an all season, all climate solution to your battery charging needs. With up to 5-Watts or 350mA of power to prevent the natural voltage drain of batteries over time it will keep your batteries fresh for use when you need them. And it has flexible connection options in that it includes both alligator clips and a lighter socket adapter.
The Sunforce model is compact and easy to install and it lets you harness the power of the sun, the most powerful and plentiful source of energy available to us. Unlike nuclear and fossil fuels, solar power is clean and pollution-free, and the equipment requires very little maintenance to operate.
This trickle charger is designed to stave off the natural voltage drain that 12-Volt batteries undergo over time. It can also maintain the charge of a 12-Volt battery while it is providing energy to small electronics like cell phone chargers or small pumps and motors. The Sunforce 50022 5-Watt Solar Battery Trickle Charger is constructed with durable ABS plastic and features amorphous solar cells and an ultra-bright blue LED charging indicator. Four mounting holes are pre-cut in the frame for easy permanent installation. It is weatherproof and remains effective even on cloudy days. The built-in overcharge/discharge protection prevents overcharging and reverse-current drain. This trickle charger is an ideal choice for automobiles, recreational vehicles, all-terrain vehicles, tractors, boats and more.
Sunforce amorphous solar panels require virtually no maintenance and are weatherproof and suitable for outdoor use. It is safe to leave connected for extended periods without damage to electrical components.
For moving vehicles the solar trickle charger can and should be permanently mounted to prevent damage to the solar panels, batteries and other equipment. Otherwise it is easily removed and stored.
Solar cells convert sunlight into an electric current; they do not actually store power. The Sunforce 50022 is designed to maintain an existing battery charge, and not to fully recharge a battery.
Sunday Nov 07, 2010
Sunday Nov 07, 2010
More information can be found at http://autobatterytricklecharger.net/motorcycle-battery-trickle-charger.html
A motorcycle battery trickle charger is an important accessory for any biker.
A motorcycle battery trickle charger is an important accessory for any motorcyclist.
Car battery chargers are commonly owned items by people who own cars – they’re portable, inexpensive, and simple to use. But for people who ride motorcycles, this equipment is often overlooked, though it certainly shouldn’t be.
There are listed here several good reasons why it’s important for any biker to own a trickle charger and why it should be on your shopping list.
Motorcycle batteries lose their charge relatively quickly being much smaller than car batteries. With the common wet cell battery it is necessary to top them off with distilled water more often. Quite often motorcycle batteries may require a booster charge to bring them up to the correct voltage when doing regular maintenance. A trickle charger can keep the motorcycle battery continually at the optimal charge, and rather than having to wait overnight for the battery to charge you can quickly be on the road.
Motorcycle batteries are more susceptible to losing their charge due to cold weather due to being exposed to the elements much more than car batteries. Motorcycle battery trickle chargers are designed to restore and maintain an optimal charge to a battery that has been in cold conditions, enabling it to be started quickly.
The battery trickle charger for a bike is compact, taking up very little room wherever you store your bike. In the course of servicing the bike for the next ride, detaching the battery and doing a full check your battery is ready for action. A fully charged battery means that you can get out and enjoy a good ride without having the frustration of a bike that won’t start because the battery is dead.
Not only can a charger help keep your bike ready for when you want to ride but a battery run flat repeatedly can actually damage the internal plates that are vital to the battery’s structure. Motorcycle batteries are costly and this can be very expensive. This is preventative maintenance that will quickly pay for itself. By keeping your battery properly maintained it will be much, much longer before it has to be disposed of which is good for the environment.
Batteries on bikes get put through a considerable amount of abuse, weak charging systems, heat, vibration, power-draining accessories. A charger will increase the lifespan of the battery by keeping it well charged and in a better state. For the all-weather rider, accessories such as fog lights, heated grips and stereo systems can quickly drain the small motorcycle battery. Attaching a trickle charger when the bike has been parked will keep the battery level correct, so the bike is ready to go when you next start it up.
Whether you’re serious about motorcycle riding or just a fair weather warrior who only takes out the bike nice days, the motorcycle battery trickle charger really is a necessity. Just like oil, fuel, and tires, the battery is a vital part of your bikes operation.
Sunday Nov 07, 2010
Sunday Nov 07, 2010
More information can be found at http://autobatterytricklecharger.net/marine-battery-trickle-charger.html
It is important to use a marine battery trickle charger to maintain the charge on a boat’s battery when the boat is not going to be used for extended periods.
Overcharging is the number one cause of battery failure so it is important to buy a good battery charger, you get what you pay for, and trying to save money in short run will often cost in the long. With a single stage charger over time you can literally cook your batteries.
We recommend a high frequency 3 stage charger for most applications. This means that the system goes through 3 stages, bulk charge, top off, and maintains your batteries no matter the battery composition. The industry calls this a bulk, float, absorption charge or 3 stage charger.
The Battery Tender works well, but we also really like the Xantrex and C-Tek models.
When your boat is going to be in storage for an extended period, say winter storage, a small charger that works steadily will be more efficient on cost and power consumption. The C-Tek.8 amp charger is available online. It can be to tender hundreds of amp hours of batteries. It can take weeks to fully charge a battery. For a bigger marine battery trickle charger the Xantrex 40 amp charger will charge batteries up quickly.
A two stage charger is necessary to charge while using the battery. The Xantrex multiple stage, multiple battery bank charger is excellent for this purpose. For high amp loads a charger with a transformer is required.
Many trickle chargers can charge 6 volt and 12 volt batteries. It’s important to make sure you have selected the correct charge setting. Battery trickle chargers can be left connected to the battery all the time. Periodically check on the battery, when checking feel if it is unusually warm, this is a sign it may be damaged or shorted. If this happens, immediately disconnect the charger and get it tested by an expert.
Take care not to make any sparks around a charging battery. While charging hydrogen gas is created which is highly explosive and in combination with the acid that is present can be a deadly combination.
Sunday Nov 07, 2010
Sunday Nov 07, 2010
Get more information at http://autobatterytricklecharger.net/car-battery-trickle-charger.html
You want to store your car, or RV, but you know that when you go to start your vehicle after it’s been sitting for a few weeks or months, that your battery will be dead.
The car battery trickle charger is specifically designed for the maintenance of 12 Volt batteries that are used periodically or kept in storage for extended periods.
The normal self-discharge of a battery is prevented when using a car battery trickle charger. In addition, the life of rechargeable 12 volt batteries is extended by providing a minimum current, regulated output.
Low quality chargers will produce a strong, rapid charge that often will decay electrodes and boil out liquids. We strongly recommend purchasing a charger that; once your battery has been fully charged, it will automatically shut-off and then resume charging as your battery level drops. Also, check to make sure the charger you buy is specifically designed for longterm use. You want to be able to safely leave it connected to your battery for days, weeks, months, even years!
More important tips for vehicle storage:
Gas up
Air carries moisture with it and that will result in condensation in the tank. To reduce this as much as possible make sure the tank is as full as it can be. This will reduce the condensation and considerably lessen the amount of water in the gas and the injection system. Get a gasoline stabilizer such as Stabil and put this in before filling the tank. You will need to run the engine for a while to ensure that the stabilized gas has penetrated the entire injection system.
Change the oil filter and the oil
The contaminants in old oil will corrode the insides of your engine so it’s important to put fresh oil and a new filter in the car.
Over-inflate Tires
Inflate automobile tire to approximately 40 or 45 psi. Modern radial tires aren’t known to have problems with flat spotting from storage. Still, some people suggest that you roll the car a little every 2 weeks or so. It is strongly recommended that you don’t jack the vehicle up and rotate the tires because when you lower the car the suspension will be loaded up. Try and check the pressure of the tires every few weeks or so and watch for slow leaks.
Some say that the suspension will sag by putting the car up on jacks. Letting it sit on the ground for the few months shouldn’t lead to any problems.
Clean the vehicles interior
When it comes time to take your vehicle out of storage you won’t clean it. You may not want to clean it before you put it in storage but when you take it out you simply won’t do it. So, take some time and get everything really clean. Clean the carpets. Clean the glass, inside and out. Clean behind the pedal cluster. Clean and condition the leather. You’ll be surprised at the dirt you’ll find. Clean all the nooks and crannies. Also, don’t forget to also clean the trunk, etc. There is a full season of dirt and junk in the vehicle that you’re not going to want to carry into the next season. Moth balls and a bag or two of the silica gel inside the car (which absorbs any moisture in the air) are excellent preventative measures.
Wash the vehicle
Dust and dirt are corrosive to any paint job so to ensure a longer life it’s important when storing to not leave those elements on the vehicle, but take care not to put it away wet. This can be challenging if you want to use the vehicle right up to wet or snow season. You should never put your car away wet because rust will form everywhere the water collects. You’ll want to try anticipating the weather and cleaning the car and driving it a little to dry it out before storage. Then it will be necessary to get the dust off before storing it with a wipe down with wet/damp towels followed drying it with towels. Another option is one of the “quick detailer sprays” available at many auto parts stores.
Wax car
This is recommended but it may be difficult to get in a good waxing of the car depending on the temperature when you are preparing to store it. A good quality of wax will be too difficult to apply in low temperatures.
Condition the rubber parts
Many of the brand name products for treating rubber put on greasy coatings of silicon (Silicon isn’t good for paint) or tend to build up over time and actually make the trim look worse. Use a good rubber conditioner to preserve all the trim.
Clean the wheels
Brake dust is highly corrosive and it’s not good to have it sitting on your wheels for weeks or months at a time. To do the most thorough job remove the wheels from the car, clean them on the outside and inside.
Cover Openings
Sealing up the exhaust tips will help to prevent rust inside the exhaust system. Close the heater vents and any other openings. Every 2 weeks or so, it’s probably a good idea to make a periodic inspection. Check if any leaks developed or if any mice are nesting.
Engine Storage
Spray WD 40 into cylinders
Take out spark plugs
Spray WD 40 into air intakes
Turn over the engine by hand with wrench a couple of times
Every three months repeat this (except the spark plugs which will no longer be in the engine)
To change the wheel bearing position, every three months turn wheels, or move car into different location
And for manual transmissions shift into one gear and move gear box internal around
Every six months drive the vehicle.
Starting the vehicle
There are differing views on whether starting a vehicle periodically while it is in storage is a good idea. Starting the engine puts considerable thermal stress on parts which are often in cold temperatures. The majority of engine wear occurs in the first few minutes when a car has been started because the oil is still in the oil pan and not lubricating the engine. In cold weather the engine may not get hot enough to burn off the moisture, acids, etc. the car is creating while running. This contaminates the clean oil. If you are going to store your car for a really long time then it needs to be run periodically to keep it operable.
Sunday Nov 07, 2010
Sunday Nov 07, 2010
Here's a podcast from Auto Battery Trickle Charger at http://autobatterytricklecharger.net
It covers a lot of important information about trickle chargers. If you are interested in the different types it would be good to listen to this. Also there are safety tips.
This is an excellent resource for a person who wants to know what the various applications of this kind of equipment are. The author covers solar powered and conventional too.
You'll hear about uses for cars, recreational vehicles (RV's), power boats and sailboats.
If you own all terrain vehicles (ATV), boats, tractors, electric fences you will find that you can save money and maintenance work.
Motorcycle enthusiasts will learn about the importance of this gear for making their experience more enjoyable.
There is an environmentally friendly aspect too. Properly maintained batteries last longer and keeping them fully charged is a big part of that. The fact that it can be done with solar power is a bonus.
A battery trickle charger is a way to save money and protect the environment as well as ensure that the vehicles you use are available when you want to use them.
When you learn the benefits you will want to know where to purchase and what to look for and that information is covered here as well.
Evaluating your needs and selecting the best equipment is easy when you have the correct information and you will get that in this podcast.
There isn't a whole lot more to say about this except listen to the podcast and get the information you need so you can take advantage of all the benefits there are to using this beneficial equipment.
If you have any comments or questions please feel free to post them here. There will be more on this subject in subsequent podcasts too. They may already be posted and if not it won't be long before they are stay tuned.