March 22, 2026, 03:24 PM
Mike FrizieBattery maintenance
What you guys like do and there? And do you leave a maintainer of em?
March 22, 2026, 05:11 PM
Larry WoodfinMichael, battery industry engineers recommend keeping batteries fully charged as often as possible.
Some examples:
*After a race day, fully charge the race car battery as soon as possible. Then, attach a maintainer until the next race outing.
*The recommendation is the same for deep-cycle designs.
March 22, 2026, 06:42 PM
CURTIS REEDI keep a maintainer on my race battery, lawnmower battery and tractor battery 24-7. I believe it makes them last longer.
March 22, 2026, 07:53 PM
markemarkI put my car in the trailer on Nov 15, 2025 and just got the trailer out of the garage and car out of the trailer today in 30* weather. This battery has sat unattended for 4 months. Odyssey says battery does not need charging if over 12.70v.
mem…. i never charge battery at track….NEVER!!!
March 22, 2026, 09:34 PM
BTR69Seems like a good time to ask a question I've been thinking about. What's the least battery voltage before it starts causing issues? I measure my voltage after every run, before hooking up the charger. Also prior to firing up to head to the lanes. So far, the lowest I can recall is close to 12 flat. I keep it on a battery tender at all times when not at the track. When I remove the tender, it typically shows as high as 13.2vdc. When I get to the track it's settled to around 12.8vdc. After 1st pass I'm down to around 12.3vdc. Charging between rounds gets me close to where I started, but never fully charged. So far the lowest I recall it going after a pass is 12.05vdc. It's an older Optima red top. I always bring a spare out of one of my trucks at home, just in case. I don't run an alternator and car isn't loaded with electronics. Just the MSD ignition, water pump, fan which doesn't get much run time, fuel pump and of course the starter, which I hit maybe 3-4 times from leaving the trailer to pulling into the water box. Thanks...
March 23, 2026, 06:46 AM
CURTIS REEDquote:
Originally posted by BTR69:
Seems like a good time to ask a question I've been thinking about. What's the least battery voltage before it starts causing issues? I measure my voltage after every run, before hooking up the charger. Also prior to firing up to head to the lanes. So far, the lowest I can recall is close to 12 flat. I keep it on a battery tender at all times when not at the track. When I remove the tender, it typically shows as high as 13.2vdc. When I get to the track it's settled to around 12.8vdc. After 1st pass I'm down to around 12.3vdc. Charging between rounds gets me close to where I started, but never fully charged. So far the lowest I recall it going after a pass is 12.05vdc. It's an older Optima red top. I always bring a spare out of one of my trucks at home, just in case. I don't run an alternator and car isn't loaded with electronics. Just the MSD ignition, water pump, fan which doesn't get much run time, fuel pump and of course the starter, which I hit maybe 3-4 times from leaving the trailer to pulling into the water box. Thanks...
William, I don't remember seeing less than 12.6 on mine after a run. I have a small digital gauge right above my charging lugs that I can look at when I walk by on the outside of the car. I do run an alternator though.
March 23, 2026, 08:34 AM
ski_dwn_itKeep them charged and on tender whenever possible. I preach it but not good at it. When I put my new garage up I have 4 gang outlets every 8ft on every wall so I am far better now at it.
I think batteries are sorta hit or miss - Ive had one in my side by side that never got run and never was on tender last 7 years. And others that I was always after to keep good last much less.
Definitely keeping them full gives you a better chance.