I will be storing my diesel outdoors this winter and won't be driving it for a few months or so. I changed the oil, filled fuel tank and added conditioner to the tank, but am trying to decide what to do with the batteries. I want to leave the batteries in the truck and am planning on connecting a float charger to them to maintain the charge (and hopefully the life) of the batteries while not in use. Can I connect the charger leads to one battery and be assured that both batteries will be charged and maintained equally, or should I connect one lead of the charger to the neg post of battery #1 and the other lead to the pos post of battery #2. The unit will be stored in Northern Ontario (Canada) so I am not expecting it to have to endure a hot winter. Thanks for any advice.
In-Vehicle Long term Battery Charging
- Thread starter GregP
- Start date
Greg,
In my last truck, I installed a Battery Tender that was rated for outdoor use, in my truck (behind the front bumper). It seemed to charge both batteries fine by connecting it to only one.
In my last truck, I installed a Battery Tender that was rated for outdoor use, in my truck (behind the front bumper). It seemed to charge both batteries fine by connecting it to only one.
mlpeloquin
Well-known member
If the batteries are connected in parallel, then just across one battery should be fine. Also it should be a battery tender so that it floats when the battery is fully charged. This insures they are not over charged unlike a trickle charger. If the battery's voltage drops the tender will turn on again and top the charge off again automatically. You don't need an expensive one. https://www.amazon.com/Battery-Tend...=1511925870&sr=8-3&keywords=battery+tender+jr will do. 0.75A should more than take care of the parasitic draw on a vehicle parked shut off and still maintain the batteries.
You made me querious about at what temperature a battery will freeze. Fully charged -70F and at 12V discharged 32F.
https://www.cars.com/articles/2014/02/can-a-car-battery-freeze/
You made me querious about at what temperature a battery will freeze. Fully charged -70F and at 12V discharged 32F.
https://www.cars.com/articles/2014/02/can-a-car-battery-freeze/
Thanks Bill, Marc and Jim for the helpful advice. In the past, I would have pulled the battery from the truck and stored it inside with periodic charging to maintain it. Now, with all the computerized functions happening under the hood, I am reluctant to disconnect for a long period of time. I have a good battery tender/charger that will maintain a float charge so I will give that a try. Since we haven't had the 70 below temps here (up to now) I don't think I need to worry about battery freezing as long as they are charged. Next winter, we are hoping to be wintering somewhere warmer, so battery freeze-up shouldn't be an issue.
