04-01-2021, 11:55 AM
|
#1
|
Member
|
|
Join Date: Jun 2009
Location: Seattle
Posts: 195
|
|
Member
Join Date: Jun 2009
Location: Seattle
Posts: 195
|
Battery maintainer extending battery life?
Since March of last year, I've been working from home and will be for the foreseeable future. Therefore my beloved 4runner mainly sits parked in my garage and only used on the weekends to play in the mountains. I haven't had any starting issues, but a friend of mine suggested putting a battery maintainer on it which he swears will extend the battery life well beyond the warranty. For ~$50 it seems like a cheap investment to extend the life of my $100+ cost of a new battery. Thoughts on this?
__________________
2000 4Runner SR5 3.4L V6
|
|
Reply With Quote
|
04-01-2021, 12:04 PM
|
#2
|
|
Senior Member
|
|
Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: denver
Posts: 3,010
|
|
Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: denver
Posts: 3,010
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by NathanOfSeattle
Since March of last year, I've been working from home and will be for the foreseeable future. Therefore my beloved 4runner mainly sits parked in my garage and only used on the weekends to play in the mountains. I haven't had any starting issues, but a friend of mine suggested putting a battery maintainer on it which he swears will extend the battery life well beyond the warranty. For ~$50 it seems like a cheap investment to extend the life of my $100+ cost of a new battery. Thoughts on this?
|
It's a good idea. Stops the battery from self discharging. Keeps the battery topped off adding life to it.
|
|
Reply With Quote
|
04-01-2021, 01:04 PM
|
#3
|
|
Member
|
|
Join Date: Jan 2019
Location: Earth
Posts: 862
|
|
Member
Join Date: Jan 2019
Location: Earth
Posts: 862
|
Yup, BUT....
There are some conditions. The 2 biggest are that you need to have a better quality "smart" charger. The old "Battery Tender" branded (and cheap knock-offs) are anything but smart. Noco and Ctek are 2 brands to watch for as being "better".
2nd big one is to NOT leave it connected full time. Generally speaking, you only need 24 hours straight for every 30 disconnected/unused. If you're driving your 4r every weekend (and going more than 30 miles), the charger isn't going to do a whole lot of good. The "smart" aspects (de-sulphuring as one) *will* help though.
And yes, they absolutely will keep the battery going for longer. I've personally gotten 10 years of use from 1 battery, though the last year it was very iffy/not the most reliable.
For your personal situation, if you plugged in the night before you planned to go somewhere, you'll be 100% covered and getting the absolute most from the battery.
At least that just my personal opinion (pro motorcycle wrench for a few decades, I'm well versed in "winterizing" and maintaining toys)
__________________
'99 Limited 4x4, Millenium Silver ~ Maintenance Thread
|
|
Reply With Quote
|
04-01-2021, 01:23 PM
|
#4
|
Member
|
|
Join Date: Jun 2009
Location: Seattle
Posts: 195
|
|
Member
Join Date: Jun 2009
Location: Seattle
Posts: 195
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by Brian.
Yup, BUT....
There are some conditions. The 2 biggest are that you need to have a better quality "smart" charger. The old "Battery Tender" branded (and cheap knock-offs) are anything but smart. Noco and Ctek are 2 brands to watch for as being "better".
2nd big one is to NOT leave it connected full time. Generally speaking, you only need 24 hours straight for every 30 disconnected/unused. If you're driving your 4r every weekend (and going more than 30 miles), the charger isn't going to do a whole lot of good. The "smart" aspects (de-sulphuring as one) *will* help though.
And yes, they absolutely will keep the battery going for longer. I've personally gotten 10 years of use from 1 battery, though the last year it was very iffy/not the most reliable.
For your personal situation, if you plugged in the night before you planned to go somewhere, you'll be 100% covered and getting the absolute most from the battery.
At least that just my personal opinion (pro motorcycle wrench for a few decades, I'm well versed in "winterizing" and maintaining toys)
|
Thank you! Could you recommend a good battery maintainer? I picked this one up at my local NAPA for $50 as it was recommended by the guy working there. But I can return it if you have a better one?
__________________
2000 4Runner SR5 3.4L V6
|
|
Reply With Quote
|
04-01-2021, 03:54 PM
|
#5
|
Member
|
|
Join Date: Dec 2015
Location: Manitoba, Canada
Posts: 905
|
|
Member
Join Date: Dec 2015
Location: Manitoba, Canada
Posts: 905
|
If you get a "smart" charger you can leave them on.
That's the point of using a "smart" charger.
__________________
2000 4runner 4wd Auto V6 - Tru-Cool LPD4454 trans cooler in series
1991 4runner 4wd Auto V6
1990 4runner 4wd Auto V6
|
|
Reply With Quote
|
04-01-2021, 04:43 PM
|
#6
|
Elite Member
|
|
Join Date: Mar 2016
Location: Pasadena, CA
Posts: 5,408
|
|
Elite Member
Join Date: Mar 2016
Location: Pasadena, CA
Posts: 5,408
|
I am going to have to be up on my battery maintainer/charger for the next few months - Covid work from home + home construction means I start my 4Runner and pull it out of the driveway every day for the contractors, but otherwise very rarely drive it.
I have long had a battery maintainer for my Camry, which has a very small battery (Miata size) and lots of aftermarket electronics. That battery only lasts a week or less if I don't put the charger on it, even a fresh battery - so every time it is down for maintenance/work I have to put the charger on it.
-Charlie
__________________
'99 4Runner SR5 Auto - 4WD swapped
'89 Camry Alltrac LE 3S-GTE 5spd
'17 Chevy Volt Premier
'16 Honda Odyssey Elite
Previous: '88 Camry Alltrac LE 3S-GE BEAMS, 90 Camry 3S-GTE, 90 Camry DX, '03 WRX wagon, '08 Outback XT
|
|
Reply With Quote
|
04-01-2021, 05:23 PM
|
#7
|
Member
|
|
Join Date: Apr 2013
Location: MI, USA
Posts: 348
|
|
Member
Join Date: Apr 2013
Location: MI, USA
Posts: 348
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by NathanOfSeattle
Thank you! Could you recommend a good battery maintainer? I picked this one up at my local NAPA for $50 as it was recommended by the guy working there. But I can return it if you have a better one?
|
This is what I use for the past year and seems to work.
I have an AGM battery but this works for both agm and regular batteries.
CTEK (56-353) MULTI US 7002 12-Volt Battery Charger
Amazon.com: CTEK (56-353) MULTI US 7002 12-Volt Battery Charger,Black: Automotive
__________________
2001 Toyota 4Runner Limited. 231k miles.
|
|
Reply With Quote
|
04-01-2021, 06:53 PM
|
#8
|
Senior Member
|
|
Join Date: Jul 2012
Location: Odessa/Midland TX
Posts: 3,711
|
|
Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2012
Location: Odessa/Midland TX
Posts: 3,711
|
Walmart has Schumacher Battery Charger that has charging 10A and trickle charge 2A for $38. I am running one on my 4Runner everyday and it is Harbor freight CenTech battery charger listed at $40.
__________________
1990 3L Diesel Hilux LN 106; 1973 Ford Cortina XL
1992 4AFE Toyota Sprinter AE 91 (aka Geo Prizm)
1997 5vzfe 4Runner 4x4 (aka Hilux Surf)
2000 2uzfe 100 Series Land Cruiser
2021 Tacoma TRD Off-Road 4x4 6-speed
|
|
Reply With Quote
|
04-01-2021, 06:58 PM
|
#9
|
|
Senior Member
|
|
Join Date: Sep 2011
Location: Austin, Texas
Posts: 3,151
|
|
Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2011
Location: Austin, Texas
Posts: 3,151
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by NathanOfSeattle
Thank you! Could you recommend a good battery maintainer? I picked this one up at my local NAPA for $50 as it was recommended by the guy working there. But I can return it if you have a better one?
|
As long as its description is "smart charger" where it goes thru several stages of charging, desulfation, trickle, ect. it will do fine. Not sure if they make batt last longer but it will work better while it does!
I use these on several autos and quads, occasionally they go on sale for under $20 (Noco Genius 1):
Amazon.com: NOCO GENIUS1, 1-Amp Fully-Automatic Smart Charger, 6V and 12V Battery Charger, Battery Maintainer, Trickle Charger, and Battery Desulfator with Temperature Compensation: Automotive
__________________
2001 Limited 4WD - 346+K - SunfireRed\Thunder Cloud; - 265/75/16 Michelin A/T2s - Fat Pat's 1.5" BL - StopTech ANGLED rotors - In series 699 trans cooler, New Yota1 transmission, All new OEM suspension front to rear.
Last edited by jgue467; 04-01-2021 at 06:59 PM.
Reason: details
|
|
Reply With Quote
|
04-01-2021, 08:20 PM
|
#10
|
|
Senior Member
|
|
Join Date: Apr 2020
Location: Monroe, WA
Posts: 2,197
Real Name: Devan
|
|
Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2020
Location: Monroe, WA
Posts: 2,197
Real Name: Devan
|
Are you currently experiencing any draining issues where this might fix it, or are unable to afford a $100 expense every 5-10 years? If you answered no to either of these, it's a $50 solution to a nonexistent problem. If you have problems in the future I'd consider it then.
__________________
Y2K Highlander Millennium Silver 3.4L auto @ 320k and climbing
Toytecs + 5100s / 7.5 wrap + OME spacers + Tokicos / JBA UCAs / Anonymous Fab. LBJs / Total Chaos Gussets / EimKeith PCK + LCAR / Extended Bump Stops; Brake Lines; Rear Diff Breather / True North Fab. Hybrid Bumper / CBI Hybrid Bumper + Tire Carrier / 4xInnovations Hybrid Sliders / Opt Offroad Trailing Arms / Lil Skip Gas Skid / BudBuilt Front Skid / ARB Rear Locker
|
|
Reply With Quote
|
04-01-2021, 09:48 PM
|
#11
|
Junior Member
|
|
Join Date: Mar 2021
Location: Abingdon VA
Posts: 11
|
|
Junior Member
Join Date: Mar 2021
Location: Abingdon VA
Posts: 11
|
overcharging batteries are bad for them. Running them to zero is bad for them too. You want something inbetween. throw it on a charger/maintainer every couple of days and don't leave it on full time. when you charge the battery you eat up the overall battery capacity by oxidizing the positive electrode. Your alternator does this too but much slower.
__________________
2004 SR5 4X4 185K
|
|
Reply With Quote
|
04-02-2021, 04:04 AM
|
#12
|
Elite Member
|
|
Join Date: Aug 2013
Location: Stouchsburg PA
Posts: 5,319
|
|
Elite Member
Join Date: Aug 2013
Location: Stouchsburg PA
Posts: 5,319
|
Battery maintainer extending battery life?
Quote:
Originally Posted by nissanh
Walmart has Schumacher Battery Charger that has charging 10A and trickle charge 2A for $38. I am running one on my 4Runner everyday and it is Harbor freight CenTech battery charger listed at $40.
|
I’ve had one of those for over ten years. I also have their 12a/8a/2a speed charger I bought at Kmart some 20 years ago.
I have 2 deltran s also a 4 bank 1.25a and an 8a marine waterproof.
Edit: I also have two of these desulfation
modules.
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Last edited by 19963.4lsr5; 04-02-2021 at 06:30 AM.
|
|
Reply With Quote
|
04-02-2021, 02:36 PM
|
#13
|
Member
|
|
Join Date: Jun 2009
Location: Seattle
Posts: 195
|
|
Member
Join Date: Jun 2009
Location: Seattle
Posts: 195
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by Devbot
Are you currently experiencing any draining issues where this might fix it, or are unable to afford a $100 expense every 5-10 years? If you answered no to either of these, it's a $50 solution to a nonexistent problem. If you have problems in the future I'd consider it then.
|
You bring up a very good point. Maybe I'm getting ahead of myself by trying to "fix" a problem that isn't a problem
__________________
2000 4Runner SR5 3.4L V6
|
|
Reply With Quote
|
04-02-2021, 05:41 PM
|
#14
|
Elite Member
|
|
Join Date: Mar 2016
Location: Pasadena, CA
Posts: 5,408
|
|
Elite Member
Join Date: Mar 2016
Location: Pasadena, CA
Posts: 5,408
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by NathanOfSeattle
You bring up a very good point. Maybe I'm getting ahead of myself by trying to "fix" a problem that isn't a problem
|
Its worth it to keep a ~$100 battery working for 3+ years instead of 1 or less - but that's not everyone's situation.
-Charlie
__________________
'99 4Runner SR5 Auto - 4WD swapped
'89 Camry Alltrac LE 3S-GTE 5spd
'17 Chevy Volt Premier
'16 Honda Odyssey Elite
Previous: '88 Camry Alltrac LE 3S-GE BEAMS, 90 Camry 3S-GTE, 90 Camry DX, '03 WRX wagon, '08 Outback XT
|
|
Reply With Quote
|
04-02-2021, 09:46 PM
|
#15
|
Elite Member
|
|
Join Date: Aug 2013
Location: Stouchsburg PA
Posts: 5,319
|
|
Elite Member
Join Date: Aug 2013
Location: Stouchsburg PA
Posts: 5,319
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by phattyduck
Its worth it to keep a ~$100 battery working for 3+ years instead of 1 or less - but that's not everyone's situation.
-Charlie
|
When I was in the navy as a GSE battery maintenance and upkeep were one of the most important jobs. It taught me a lot about it.
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
|
|
Reply With Quote
|
Thread Tools |
|
Display Modes |
Rate This Thread |
Linear Mode
|
|
Posting Rules
|
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts
HTML code is On
|
|
|
|