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  #1  
Old 12-11-2016, 02:16 PM
JimMac JimMac is offline
 
Join Date: Jun 2012
Location: Madison, AL
Posts: 67
Default Battery Minder Recommendation

I am a new owner of an RV-12. I recently ran my battery down by doing Skyview software updates with the master switch on. can someone recommend a good battery Minder for me to purchase.
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  #2  
Old 12-11-2016, 02:51 PM
Carl Froehlich's Avatar
Carl Froehlich Carl Froehlich is offline
 
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Location: Dogwood Airpark (VA42)
Posts: 2,596
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None.

Use a standard battery charger and attach a multimeter across the battery terminals. Charge the battery until the voltage reaches 14.1 or so. Do not leave the charger unattended on the battery. Never leave any kind of trickle charger on the battery.

Beg forgiveness from the battery for running it flat. That is the best way I know of for killing a nice Odyssey battery. If you really abused it, assume it will no longer provide the Amp-hours you think it will and replace it. Use the pulled battery in your lawn tractor.

We just replaced a PC-680 in a new RV-14 for this exact reason. It no longer held a charge.

Carl
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  #3  
Old 12-11-2016, 03:00 PM
JimMac JimMac is offline
 
Join Date: Jun 2012
Location: Madison, AL
Posts: 67
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I did not draw the battery all the way down. The Skyview display was indicating around 9.2 volts during an engine start attempt.
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  #4  
Old 12-11-2016, 04:17 PM
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Piper J3 Piper J3 is offline
 
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This works very well for me... https://www.amazon.com/Decker-BM3B-B.../dp/B0051D3MP6
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  #5  
Old 12-11-2016, 04:36 PM
Flybipe Flybipe is offline
 
Join Date: Mar 2006
Posts: 120
Default Aviation Consumer

Aviation Consumer just ran a good article on battery chargers and overall battery maintenance.

They recommended the BatteryMinder brand of chargers and there are specific ones depending on what type of battery you have. I have a Concord and there is a specific model for Concord batteries.

Here's an example at Aircraft Spruce:

http://m.aircraftspruce.com/catalog/...er11-12425.php
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  #6  
Old 12-11-2016, 04:41 PM
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tomkk tomkk is offline
 
Join Date: Apr 2014
Location: Port Orange, Fl
Posts: 931
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I'd contact Odyssey and see what they say. I don't think they recommend battery minders, they do have a process that will sometimes rejuvenate a battery and, the last time I looked, they identified chargers that charge the battery to their specs.
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  #7  
Old 12-11-2016, 05:49 PM
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Jeff Vaughan Jeff Vaughan is offline
 
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Location: West Chester, Pa
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I have used the Battery Tender 021-0128
I keep it plugged in ALL the time. Have used this model for twelve years.
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  #8  
Old 12-11-2016, 06:19 PM
gasman gasman is offline
 
Join Date: Mar 2007
Location: Sonoma County
Posts: 3,821
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Wal-Mart has a charger by Schumacher. It is a 3/4 amp automatic charger and is priced at $9. This is all you really need.

A battery that is discharged at a slow rate, should be charged at a slow rate. https://www.walmart.com/ip/Schumache...iner/160143527
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  #9  
Old 12-11-2016, 06:22 PM
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MartySantic MartySantic is offline
 
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Location: Davenport, IA
Posts: 1,390
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X2 on the BatteryMinder. Ensure you get the model for the RV-12 AGM battery. Here is one of their models. Is 1.5 amp, so you can't run the Skyview forever, but, will keep the battery charged.

http://www.batteryminders.com/12-vol...esfulator-1500
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  #10  
Old 12-11-2016, 06:37 PM
Chkaharyer99 Chkaharyer99 is offline
 
Join Date: Oct 2011
Location: Pilot Hill, CA
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Jeff Vaughan View Post
I have used the Battery Tender 021-0128
I keep it plugged in ALL the time. Have used this model for twelve years.

Jeff,

Looking for some clarification.

Was the Battery Tender described using over a twelve year period on the same battery? Was that battery an Odyssey PC680 by chance or something else?
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