shoreline battery charger

[jhoch]

Hi,

I'm interested in putting a shoreline battery charger into my explorer so I can plug it in occasionally to give the battery a small boost.

Has anyone ever done such a thing,

what is involved, and what do I need?

thanks in advance!

Jonathan

 

[Alec]

could you link to the product you're thinking of?

 

[jhoch]

thats part of the problem actually, I haven't found a kit for what I'm interested in..But they have to exist because fire trucks and stuff have them.

I'm talking about some kind of connection that I can hard wire or something to the battery, that I can plug directly into the house ac to charge the battery.

Kind of like when you plug in a vehicle at night for like a engine block heater , but this would charge the battery instead.

~J

 

[agzaretzka]

Something like these??

http://www.northerntool.com/webapp/...70&PHOTOS=on&productId=200011774&categoryId=0

http://www.basspro.com/servlet/catalog.TextId?hvarTextId=45201&hvarTarget=search&cmCat=SearchResults

http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/Displayitem.taf?itemnumber=42292

 

[Alec]

I wouldn't get the HB one.

Get one that hardwires with the ring terminals and that has a slow or variable charge rate with auto shutoff. Simple 2 wire hookup and mount the box out of the heat and weather and so the plug is easily accessible.

 

[jhoch]

EXACTLY Thanks!

I like the 1st and 2nd ones.....

I am looking for the ring connector type that you just put on the battery, and then mount the box and plug it in

~j

 

[RiverRat]

Like others have said go with a marine grade unit. Cabelas, west marine, boatus are some places to check out.

 

[jgilbs]

just get any standard float-charger unit, then for a "quick connect" get these connectors:
http://www.partsexpress.com/pe/showdetl.cfm?&DID=7&Partnumber=263-110

and a length of some 8 ga wire, and you can have a quick connect system.

 

[JTX]

Just curiuos, But why would you want that? I mean isnt that what the altenator is for?

 

[RiverRat]

Just curiuos, But why would you want that? I mean isnt that what the altenator is for?

If you don't drive it much and the batt goes dead. Plus it's not good for the battery to let it drain like that.

 

[jhoch]

Interesting idea......I actually have a portable charger now, would it be hard to get the clips off to put that on?

Yes the alternator is for charging the battery,

But considering all of the emergency lights, siren, radio, and chargers I have in that truck, the power load does get a little much at times when it is sitting idle for hours at a time w/ all of it on.

So plugging it in occassionaly is not a bad thing.

~j

 

[Blee1099]

Go for a dual battery setup.. You'll never have to worry about having a bad battery and with no one around to jump start you. I have a marine dual battery switch sitting in the garage along with a spare battery, I just have to get off my butt and get a battery box and some extra cables so I can finish the project.

 

[jhoch]

Where would you put a 2nd battery?

And would a battery isolator be better than a switch?

 

[Alec]

1) 2 small Optimas can fit with some persuasion in the stock location (jefe did it)
or in the back.
2) you'd want an isolator with a manual switch. an isolator protects the batteries and the system and charges as needed.

 

[agzaretzka]

But considering all of the emergency lights, siren, radio, and chargers I have in that truck, the power load does get a little much at times when it is sitting idle for hours at a time w/ all of it on.

Sounds like you really need a higher output alternater...

 

[jhoch]

true, I've already priced the 130amp version alternator, just have to come up w/ the funds to do it.

 

[Alec]

Oftentimes higher output alternators don't put out any more at idle (or may put out less), so you have to check the specs closely.

 

[jgilbs]

I would also recommend a dual battery setup. I have emergency lights on my truck, and I know they can be very taxing on the battery(strobes and LEDs arent bad, but I have a streethawk with 4 55w fast rotors, and about 6 55w outboard lights(takedowns, alleylights, etc) in addition to an 8lamp(27w each lamp) arrowstik) so the combined total wattage will waste your battery pretty quickly, esp if you turn your truck off while at a call. best bet would be to
A)whenever at a call, leave truck on with all non-essential accessories(siren, stereo, interior lights, etc)turned off(siren should have park-kill feature on it anyways - just to avoid confusion/chaos at the scene)
B) get a dual-battery setup with an optima red-top as your starting battery, and when on-scene, switch to yellow-top to deal with the deep-cycle reqirements which will allow you to deep cycle your battery with all the lights, but then you can switch to a starting battery when u need to leave.

if you have a dual setup, you should also upgrade the alt just because even with an isolator, its harder for the alt to charge both batteries, and will take about 2x as long to return the batteries to full charge. also, you should look into one of those "charge-guard" things, they turn your accessories off when right before your battery loses all its juice, so you will still be able to start your truck.

EDIT - I just realized that if you have a park-kill module, you could prob tap into it with a relay so that when you park your car, you could switch to the deep-cycle battery automatically. that way you wouldnt be screwed cuz u forgot to switch when u got on scene.

 

[jgilbs]

another good thing about the quick disconnects i mentioned above is you can buy an extra plug, and cut off one end of your jumper cables, and attach it. that way, it is much easier to get jumped/jump someone else's car. just attach the clamps to the other car, then plug it in. you would never have to even pop your hood. i know this is how some police and tow places do it, and if you already have the plug, might as well - ya know what im saying?

 

[jhoch]

I like the idea of 2 batteries,

but geez, I'm not organized enough to remember to switch batteries that much, I would kinda want something installed and then leave it go..

I also have a Streethawk, a LED dash, siren and a 100w motorola radio, plus my siren when enroute......and wig wags soon to come. I love power drain!

ooooooooo turn the truck off with the streethawk running? Not a chance.....I wouldn't be able to start it again. Those bars are not friendly to batteries w/ the vehicles off. I had to jumpstart a buddy one time because he tried that.

Very nice idea jgilbs. Ya'll are more creative than i could ever be.