Timer for Battery Charger

C-Dawg · Posted: Sat Nov 29, 2008 7:27 pm Post subject: Timer for Battery Charger

I'm going to mount a small battery charger under the galley to keep the battery maintained while at home or moored. After searching the archives, I learned that using an inexpensive timer to cycyle the charger on for a couple hours each day will protect the battery, and it subscribes to the KISS principle.

However, when looking at timers available at my local home improvement store, there's quite an array to choose from with quite a price range.

So what should I be looking for? A simple one that's intended to control the lights in a house? Rugged outdoor one for controlling lawn watering? Does it really matter? I'm leaning toward the simple indoor type for controlling lamps when on vacation, but not sure if I'm overlooking something obvious.

Thanks.

BrentB · Posted: Sat Nov 29, 2008 10:45 pm Post subject:

Have you considered a solar charger?
http://www.goldengadgets.com/Solar-Power/c10/p303/12-Volt-6-Watt-400mA-Solar-Panel/product_info.html

C-Dawg · Posted: Sun Nov 30, 2008 8:16 pm Post subject:

I hadn't considered that. Can I keep that thing connnected to the battery continuously and let it charge without harming the battery?

BrentB · Posted: Sun Nov 30, 2008 8:25 pm Post subject:

The solar charger produces6 watts and does not have over charge protection. There are solar ones for batteries. I use a 110V AC trickle charger from
http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/displayitem.taf?Itemnumber=42292
It will prevent overcharging and only useful for maintaining a full charge.

After Xmas, exterior grade timers will be discounted.