A trickle charger is an essential tool for car owners that helps prevent their vehicle batteries from completely draining. But have you ever wondered if you can keep your trickle charger on all the time? Don't worry, we thought of the same thing, that is why we have scoured the internet and asked the experts this exact question. Read below to find out the answer.
The length of how long you can keep a trickle charger on depends heavily from brand to brand. Some trickle chargers will allow you to leave them overnight, while some up to 48 hours. Leaving electrical units like this unattended could also pose a potential fire hazard if they short circuit.
For more information please continue reading as we will tackle other related questions such as the length of trickle charging, what is a trickle charger, and the effects of trickle charging on your car's battery life. We will also be linking some exciting topics at the end of this article for you to read. So go ahead and finish reading.
Can you leave your trickle charger constantly plugged in?
Leaving any electronic appliance plugged in or running all the time could cause potential damage to the unit itself. With trickle chargers, the higher the amp, the shorter time it needs to be on, while a lower amp charger may take days.
It pays to know what kind of trickle charger you have and the limits of the charger. An electronic can likely experience short-circuiting, especially if it is already experiencing an overload. A short circuit happens when your electrical wire starts to heat up due to too much electricity passing.
Short circuits are potential hazards that can either electrocute you or cause a fire. This can be a huge concern, especially if children or older people are in your house.
Aside from safety concerns, a trickle charger that is always running also contributes to unnecessary electrical consumption, which can, in turn, add more cost to your monthly electric bill.
Difficulty in start-up
The car battery is responsible for activating converted electrical energy and delivering it to your car's starter, which cranks the engine for the start-up. When starting the vehicle; if your battery already needs replacement, you may experience some difficulty starting up your automobile; it may crank but won't turn.
Lead acid batteries typically charge more slowly than LFP batteries because their maximum continuous charging currents are much lower. Typical AGM/Gel batteries have a maximum charging current of 30A while Renogy’s LFP batteries are all rated at 50A. So if the sun is shining brightly on your panels, LFP batteries will charge nearly twice as fast as their lead acid cousins. Discharging current refers to how much energy your batteries can deliver in one hour to power your appliances. Again, there is a significant difference between lead acid and LFP batteries, as noted in the first chart. If your system requires a large draw of power at any given time (i.e., you typically run many appliances at once), it is better to purchase a battery bank with a higher rate of discharge to meet your energy needs.
