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DRR Sportsman
Picture of Mike Frizie
posted
What you guys like do and there? And do you leave a maintainer of em? HMMMM


Michael Frizie
ET 2471
 
Posts: 687 | Location: Winston, GA | Registered: April 10, 2002Reply With QuoteReport This Post
DRR Pro
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Michael, 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.


Larry Woodfin



 
Posts: 2097 | Location: Longview TX | Registered: March 12, 2004Reply With QuoteReport This Post
DRR S/Pro
Picture of CURTIS REED
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I keep a maintainer on my race battery, lawnmower battery and tractor battery 24-7. I believe it makes them last longer.
 
Posts: 3675 | Location: KIEFER, OK. | Registered: August 17, 2007Reply With QuoteReport This Post
DRR S/Pro
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I 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!!!

 
Posts: 3204 | Location: 53056 | Registered: December 30, 2009Reply With QuoteReport This Post
DRR Trophy
Picture of BTR69
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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 Kilduff
1970 Barracuda
1968 Camaro X2
1968 Caprice
1964 F100
 
Posts: 320 | Location: Wilmington NC | Registered: June 15, 2014Reply With QuoteReport This Post
DRR S/Pro
Picture of CURTIS REED
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quote:
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.
 
Posts: 3675 | Location: KIEFER, OK. | Registered: August 17, 2007Reply With QuoteReport This Post
DRR Sportsman
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Keep 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.
 
Posts: 1623 | Location: St Marys | Registered: January 12, 2004Reply With QuoteReport This Post



DRR S/Pro
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I keep my XS D1600 on their (XS) Intell-Charger 7/24 while charging at a constant 18.0 volts. I've done that for the past 5 years and it has never failed me. I also have a House of Payne 16 volt super mini-alternator.

I have a second Turbo-Start 16 volt battery that was donated by my son Rob (He went to a 16 volt lithium). I charge it using the same process, 7/24 @ 18.0 volts (it's a second back-up XS Intell-Charger. Same results, three years on that one.

Bob
 
Posts: 3550 | Location: Lakeside, Ca | Registered: February 15, 2003Reply With QuoteReport This Post
DRR S/Pro
Picture of Lenny5160
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In winter, I have about 15 batteries in one corner of the garage, and I can have maintainers on 5 at a time. Just rotate them around every couple weeks.

During the season, when racing multi-day events I'll generally throw a maintainer on after the car is loaded up and leave it on all night. In the past, I've gone entire seasons without ever putting a charger on either car and that worked fine too.

During the week, everything is stored a decent drive from my house, so it's not possible to plug anything in.


Tony Leonard
 
Posts: 3398 | Location: Inver Grove Heights, MN | Registered: March 18, 2004Reply With QuoteReport This Post
DRR Top Comp
Picture of Curly1
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I think all vehicles need to have battery maintainer on them if they are sitting for any amount of time or if they have a parasitic draw. Once the battery loses charge it never really comes completely back. Keep it topped off they last a very long time.


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Posts: 4694 | Location: United States of Texas | Registered: April 02, 2011Reply With QuoteReport This Post
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