Battery Charging without AC power access

[JohnK]

We have moved to a condo where I don't have access to AC power from my parking spot. I've wondered if anyone makes a rechargeable power bank with a trickle charger. After trickle charging for a time, the device could be removed, charged, then moved back to the car to continue trickle charging the batter. Has anyone heard of such a device? I got the idea when I saw a power bank emergency starter in Costco the other day.

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[Rollin']

Hi John, I don’t know of any trickle chargers like you describe but have you considered a solar powered one? I never used one so I don’t know how well they work. Hope you find your solution. Cheers

 

[Bikeman315]

Hi John, I don’t know of any trickle chargers like you describe but have you considered a solar powered one? I never used one so I don’t know how well they work. Hope you find your solution. Cheers

+1. Maybe something like this. Many to choose from.

https://www.amazon.com/Upgraded-Wat...K2T4RPH/ref=pd_lpo_2?pd_rd_i=B08K2T4RPH&psc=1

 

[JohnK]

+1. Maybe something like this. Many to choose from.

https://www.amazon.com/Upgraded-Wat...K2T4RPH/ref=pd_lpo_2?pd_rd_i=B08K2T4RPH&psc=1

Thanks. The car is in the condo garage all winter, so there isn't any sun for the solar charger.

 

[Bikeman315]

Thanks. The car is in the condo garage all winter, so there isn't any sun for the solar charger.

Well that’s a bummer . Doesn’t look like there is anything to help. Can you pull the battery out of the car? Maybe start it and let it run for awhile when parked?

Thought you might find this of interest.
https://community.cartalk.com/t/are...gers-that-dont-require-a-plug-outlet/149087/3

 

[Vlad Soare]

I've seen portable chargers, but I don't think they have a trickle charging function. They're usually meant to fully charge a depleted batery as quickly as possible.
I mean something like this:
https://www.amazon.com/DEWALT-DXAEJ14-Jump-Starter-Compressor/dp/B06XD6XBCM/

 

[Bikeman315]

I've seen portable chargers, but I don't think they have a trickle charging function. They're usually meant to fully charge a depleted batery as quickly as possible.
I mean something like this:
https://www.amazon.com/DEWALT-DXAEJ14-Jump-Starter-Compressor/dp/B06XD6XBCM/

Hi Vlad. You are correct. Those cannot be used as a battery maintainer/trickle charger. They are good for starting a car with a dead battery.

 

[Vlad Soare]

Maybe a UPS then?
A trickle charger, given a battery that's already fully charged, shouldn't draw too much power just to maintain it. A UPS may be able to support that for quite a while.

 

[WildHorse]

Take the battery out of the car and bring it inside.

 

[Dana Pants]

By far the easiest thing is to start the car for 15 min ever month or bring the battery inside. The nuclear option is to get a M18 power pack and a 5A battery charger and bring it to the car every few weeks for a battery boost.

 

[Vlad Soare]

Take the battery out of the car and bring it inside.

This is what I'd do. Ultimately, as inconvenient as this may be, I think other workarounds would be even more inconvenient.

 

[boB]

#1 - get a 2nd battery (preferably deep-cycle)


#2 - make a wiring harness with a Y and two diodes to isolate the batteries when both are temporarily connected to the car


#3 - connect battery 1 to the car through the diode harness


#4 - after 2 weeks connect battery #2 (just charged) and disconnect battery #1 - charge battery #1


repeat #4


* do not open the door of the car or the fuel pump, etc. may start causing extra battery drain


* 10 amp diodes should be ok

 

[JohnK]

Maybe a UPS then?
A trickle charger, given a battery that's already fully charged, shouldn't draw too much power just to maintain it. A UPS may be able to support that for quite a while.

The UPS seems like a great solution. I need to figure out how much capacity I would need. I have a friend who is an EE and I'll ask his help in selecting one. Thanks! - John

 

[JohnK]

Well, I haven't found any viable solutions, so I am down to removing the battery for the winter. Is it better to keep it charged while it is being stored, or is it OK to leave it stored without charging and charge it in the spring when I want to start driving again? Thanks to all for your suggestions.

 

[Vlad Soare]

It's better to store it charged. Lead acid batteries don't like being in a low state of charge for a long time.
But you don't have to stress over it. Just charge it fully, then store it, and in spring you can top it up if necessary. If it's disconnected it won't lose enough charge over the winter to cause you to lose sleep over it (provided it's healthy, that is).

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