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on the Internet for over 30 years! and not clogged down with Ads! Again, thanks! | | | | Joined: Apr 2008 Posts: 899 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Apr 2008 Posts: 899 | 1949 Chevy 3100. Is it better to disconnect the battery when charging? Or doesn't it make a difference?
Ed
| | | | | Joined: Oct 2021 Posts: 6,739 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Oct 2021 Posts: 6,739 | It doesn't make a difference.
Slow charging at 1 or 2 amps or less does a better job than fast charging.
I keep all my vehicles on battery tenders. Those all charge at a rate between 750 mili-amps to 1.25 amps. They turn off when the battery is fully charged.
1950 Chevrolet 3100 (Ol' Roy)
1939 Packard Standard Eight Coupe (The Phantom) | 1956 Cadillac Coupe de Ville (The Bismarck) | 1964 Ford Galaxie 500 coupe |1966 Ford Mustang (Little Red) | 1969 Pontiac GTO (The Dishpit) I 1979 Ford F-100 | 1976 Ford F-150 (Big Red) | 1995 Ford F-150 (Newt)
| | | | | Joined: Sep 2009 Posts: 5,811 Gearhead, Stovebolt Tech and Parts Tracker, Mod for Swap Meet and GTT | | Gearhead, Stovebolt Tech and Parts Tracker, Mod for Swap Meet and GTT Joined: Sep 2009 Posts: 5,811 | I don't see why you can't leave it connected. I know a lot of folks that use a battery tender to maintain the charge on their battery and never disconnect the battery cables from the battery.
~ Dan 1951 Chevy 3 window 3100Follow this story in the DITY Gallery"My Grandpa Carl's Truck and How it Became Mine"1966 Chevelle (Wife's Hot Rod) | 2013 Chevy Silverado (Current daily driver) US Army MSG Retired (1977-1998) | Com Fac Maint Lead Tech Retired (1998-2021)
| | | | | Joined: Feb 2019 Posts: 4,472 AD Addict & Tinkerer | | AD Addict & Tinkerer Joined: Feb 2019 Posts: 4,472 | I also keep all of my batteries on Battery Tender’s, without disconnecting. That includes vehicles, boats and yard equipment and I’ve done it that way for more than twenty years, with no issues.
Phil Moderator, The Engine Shop, Interiors and Project Journals1952 Chevrolet 3100, Three on the Tree, 4:11 torque tube Updated to: ‘59 235 w/hydraulic lifters, 12v w/alternator, HEI, PCV and Power front Disc BrakesProject JournalsStovebolt Gallery Forum | | | | | Joined: Dec 2020 Posts: 1,958 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Dec 2020 Posts: 1,958 | depends on if your engine is HEI. those have an ignition module that unless its a high quality one the module will fry. BTs maybe not. I dont take chances. If its being stored , battery is disconnected anyway.
~ BD. "You won't find me in an old folks home" Pioneer Florida Cracker 1958 Apache Stepside 1958 Apache 1/2 ton Panel 1959 Apache 1/2 ton Panel
| | | | | Joined: Apr 2008 Posts: 899 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Apr 2008 Posts: 899 | Thanks to all for your input. Eases my mind that I won't do any damage by leaving the battery connected.
Ed
| | | | | Joined: Oct 2021 Posts: 6,739 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Oct 2021 Posts: 6,739 | But, make sure whatever charger or maintainer you're using stops charging automatically when the battery reaches full charge, unless you're present to turn it off.
1950 Chevrolet 3100 (Ol' Roy)
1939 Packard Standard Eight Coupe (The Phantom) | 1956 Cadillac Coupe de Ville (The Bismarck) | 1964 Ford Galaxie 500 coupe |1966 Ford Mustang (Little Red) | 1969 Pontiac GTO (The Dishpit) I 1979 Ford F-100 | 1976 Ford F-150 (Big Red) | 1995 Ford F-150 (Newt)
| | | | | Joined: Apr 2008 Posts: 899 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Apr 2008 Posts: 899 |
Ed
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