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Beeble1
Samba Member
Joined: August 14, 2012
Posts: 578
Location: Manteno, Illinois
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 Posted: Sat Apr 19, 2014 7:08 pm Post subject: Trickle charger install? |
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A after trying to start my bug for the first time this year, the battery was dead. This isn't the first time this happened, it happened to me last year also.
So, I've seen those trickle chargers for cigarette lighters, but since the PO removed mine, can I wire a little connector to the fuse box to do the job? Or could I route the trickle charger through the diagnostic plug?
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Beeble1, ‘73 Super (o\_|_/o) 1600cc w/ Dealer A/C
Beeble2, ‘13 Beetle 2.5L Daily Driver
Dealership items from Bishop-Wayne Volkswagen & Turner Volkswagen in Kankakee, IL wanted |
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jderianSF
Samba Member
Joined: June 24, 2013
Posts: 35
Location: San Francisco
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| Posted: Sat Apr 19, 2014 8:02 pm Post subject: Re: Trickle charger install? |
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Most of the modern trickle chargers, (now called smart chargers, because they moniter the battery charge, and only charge when needed) come with connectors that can be attached directly onto the battery. You could leave the connector dangling out from under the back seat, and just connect it as necessary.
| Beeble1 wrote: |
A after trying to start my bug for the first time this year, the battery was dead. This isn't the first time this happened, it happened to me last year also.
So, I've seen those trickle chargers for cigarette lighters, but since the PO removed mine, can I wire a little connector to the fuse box to do the job? Or could I route the trickle charger through the diagnostic plug? |
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Jason |
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vernonc
Samba Member
Joined: April 23, 2012
Posts: 681
Location: Parkersburg, WV..yes, I sold the boat
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| Posted: Sun Apr 20, 2014 3:54 am Post subject: |
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I would find out what is draining the battery while it sits and correct that. There's no reason to have to add a 'trickle charger' to any automobile if things are right. Just my thoughts.
mort
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"Those who don't read newspapers are un-informed. Those who do read newspapers are mis-informed." Will Rogers
'69 sedan, low mileage, all original.....currently being 'freshened-up' for road trips and daily driving...just not every day
Freshening-up link http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=617386 |
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pwmcguire
Samba Member
Joined: January 30, 2011
Posts: 1108
Location: Kennesaw GA
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| Posted: Sun Apr 20, 2014 4:15 am Post subject: |
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| Try this, remove the negative battery terminal and connect a test light between the battery terminal and the cable. If it lights, you have power flowing with the key off (= dead Battery) pull one fuse and see if it goes out, replace it and pull the next one. This will narrow it down to what circuit is drawing the power. You can do a closer inspection of that circuit. |
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andk5591
Samba Member
Joined: August 29, 2005
Posts: 16758
Location: State College, PA
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| Posted: Sun Apr 20, 2014 4:46 am Post subject: |
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If the car was parked all winter without charging at all, its not real surprising - particulalry if you have a modern stereo head unit. And if its the same battery from last year, its already been damaged by the complete discharge - doing it twice makes it even worse. Do a little research on sulphating pltes on lead acid batteries.
I agree to test for parasitic loss, but your battery has been compromised some already.
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D-Dubya Manx clone - 63 Short pan,1914.
Rosie 65 bug - My mostly stock daily driver.
Woodie 69 VW woodie (Hot VWs 7/12).
"John's car" 64 VW woodie - The first ever
Maxine 61 Cal-look bug - Cindy's daily driver.
Max - 73 standard Beetle hearse project - For sale
66 bug project - Real patina & Suby conversion
There's more, but not keeping them... |
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Captain Jacques
Samba Member
Joined: August 27, 2013
Posts: 231
Location: Saint Augustine, Florida
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| Posted: Sun Apr 20, 2014 5:08 am Post subject: |
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| andk5591 wrote: |
If the car was parked all winter without charging at all, its not real surprising - particulalry if you have a modern stereo head unit. And if its the same battery from last year, its already been damaged by the complete discharge - doing it twice makes it even worse. Do a little research on sulphating pltes on lead acid batteries.
I agree to test for parasitic loss, but your battery has been compromised some already. |
I agree. I keep all the cars I don't regularly use on trickle chargers. You can also run the leads from the battery through a grommet in the firewall and have the connector in the engine bay for easy access.
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Safe Sex: The Next Best Thing To Being There.
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'75 Super Vert (Carbed)
1989 Lada Niva
2000 SL320 Panoramic
2001 Alfa 156 Sportwagon Selespeed |
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Globespotter
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Joined: February 16, 2012
Posts: 1770
Location: Newmarket, ON
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andk5591
Samba Member
Joined: August 29, 2005
Posts: 16758
Location: State College, PA
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| Posted: Sun Apr 20, 2014 5:12 pm Post subject: |
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I am too cheap to have a dedicated charger on each car (6 of them), I have a trickle charger and a regular charger that will do trickle charge. I just rotate them through the cars over the course of a week - about once every 6 weeks over winter. Used to replace the battery in our buggy every other year before I started doing this.
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D-Dubya Manx clone - 63 Short pan,1914.
Rosie 65 bug - My mostly stock daily driver.
Woodie 69 VW woodie (Hot VWs 7/12).
"John's car" 64 VW woodie - The first ever
Maxine 61 Cal-look bug - Cindy's daily driver.
Max - 73 standard Beetle hearse project - For sale
66 bug project - Real patina & Suby conversion
There's more, but not keeping them... |
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