Trickle / pulse battery charger question.

Ed Howzer-Black · Derestricted Danger Joined: 02 Dec 2019 Karma :

Hi,

I bought one of these from eBay, described as having a trickle charge function.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/FOXSUR-Battery-Automotive-Maintainer-Motorcycle/dp/B07TGC3LHN/ref=sr_1_5?crid=1Z3L8DG8VEDBV&keywords=foxsur+battery+charger&qid=1578224519&sprefix=foxisur+battery+charger%2Caps%2C145&sr=8-5

Battery Type: All SLA batteries (Wet, MF, GEL, VRLA and Flooded), AGM (EFB), LiON
Input voltage: 100-240V AC, 50-60Hz
Rated output: 12V DC, maximum 5-6A.
Minimum starting voltage: 8.0V
Battery range: 4-100Ah
Thermal protection: 65'C +/- 5'C

It doesn't seem to have a trickle function but has a pulse function ( also called a repair function, that doesn't allow bubbles to form on the plates ).
in terms of battery longevity, can this be used regularly, in place of the trickle function ?

thanks

Polarbear · Super Spammer Joined: 24 Feb 2007 Karma :

Battery charges are getting more and more gimmicky. All you want is a charger that keeps a lead acid battery fully charged without over charging.

I would say the does not do that. It charges and switches off when fully charged according to the blurb. I have no idea about pulse charging but would suspect the ampere control is not brilliant and uses on/off instead and calls it something funky to make you think it's ideal.

Now that is just from reading the blurb on Amazon and it might say different in the handbook but the decent chargers, Ctec, Optimate etc. specifically say trickle charge.

Try it. It will probably be fine although if it doesn't have a proper tricklecharge you will need to turn it on every week or so to keep the battery topped up.
____________________
Triumph Trophy Launch Edition

mentalboy · World Chat Champion Joined: 05 May 2012 Karma :

The pulse function has nothing to do with the use as a maintenance charger, however, to answer your question, the blurb on your link states specifically that a battery can be left indefinitely on this charger and that it has a maintainer function - which pretty much describes a trickle charger.

Edit: Just to note that, if I recall correctly, trickle chargers maintain a constant charge whereas this charger has digital capacity to prevent overcharging.
____________________
Make mine a Corona.

Robby · Dirty Old Man Joined: 16 May 2002 Karma :

Output looks a bit high. Usually motorcycle-specific chargers top out around 1A, and trickle charge/maintain at 0.2A. That is a car charger, for 50A batteries.

Ed Howzer-Black · Derestricted Danger Joined: 02 Dec 2019 Karma :

pepperami · Super Spammer Joined: 17 Jan 2010 Karma :

What Mr Polarbear said.+1
____________________
I am the sum total of my own existence, what went before makes me who I am now!

GettinBetter · Crazy Courier Joined: 20 Jun 2019 Karma :

Yep I too second Polarbears comment..

I personally use a Power Supply that has voltage & current limiting.

Set the voltage to 13.5V and the current to 300mA and can leave it on as long as I like....as the voltage comes up to the 13.5 mark the current flow dwindles to zero. When it gets to zero or thereabouts, I know its charged.

These gizmo ones scare the shit outta me, and I just don't trust the Chinese enough to not print bullshite.