Charging battery continuously?

[guile]

I was wondering if it is harmful to leave the battery-charger on continuously.
Anyone any wisdom?

[MaryK]

If it is a dumb charger, then the answer is YES.... It will damage the battery.

You can use a battery maintainer, which is smart enough to reduce the charge rate when the battery is fully charged.
It can be left attached to the battery when you are not riding.  We use two Schumacher battery maintainers.
Bought at Wal mart for $20 each.  Sears often has similar units on sale for the same price.
http://www.walmart.com/ip/Schumacher-Automotive-SpeedCharge-Battery-Maintainer-and-Charger/13005742
It has a pigtail to be attached to the battery for a quick connection to the maintainer.

A newer/cheaper model that we have not seen:
http://www.walmart.com/ip/15140193?wmlspartner=wlpa&selectedSellerId=3&adid=22222222227000000000&wl0=&wl1=g&wl2=c&wl3=41833582510&wl4=&wl5=pla&wl6=19880599990&veh=sem

scoot safely,

[guile]

Thanks!

[sissy mary]

A place on-line named chrome battery has/had them for $10-20 depending on amps u want, I got the one amp. Home depot has a battery tender type for 20 bucks.

[BigOrange]

I put mine on the trickle charger about once every 2 weeks overnight.  I have noticed about one 5 mile continuous ride will fully recharge the battery.

[de dee]

   20 below zero this morning, checking to see if my battery was frozen, turned the key pressed the starter and she fired up,I let it run for about 1/2 hour, took that long for the temp. gauge to show some heat ,.  park her and plugged in the charger first time this winter,. I want to go for a ride but to much ice on the road , it starts to clear and it snows again, putting lots of hours on my new tractor with the snow blower,. I was getting to old to walk behind the old snow blower, legs giving out,.  80 years and still want to ride,. 

[MaryK]

Hi De Dee,

Glad the scooter works at -20°.  Glad that you work at -20° and 80 years old.
Gives the rest of us hope for a long fun life.
Wishing you a Happy New Year and a lot of warm weather rides.

scoot safely,

[sissy mary]

Wow Dee Dee, that's great. How do u like the 300?

[de dee]

  my downtown is my mobility scooter in the fair weather and the tractor is for the rest of the year,. cant walk very far , but I can ride all day,. since I rebuilt the seat and added 4 inches and moved the seat back rest, back about 5 inches, no more butt aches,. very comfy,. the tractor has a gel cushion that works for me,. thinking about a cab for next summer, home made of coarse, It would keep the snow off of the seat, when I get off to clean the chute when it jams,