# Car chager use **URL:** \ **Category:** Maintenance/Repairs\ **Created:** [September 18, 2014, 6:24pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/car-chager-use/87250 "2014-09-18T18:24:04Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 8\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Papi1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/df705f/32.png) [@Papi1](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Papi1)\ **Post date:** [September 18, 2014, 6:24pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/car-chager-use/87250/1 "2014-09-18T18:24:04Z")
I’m a snowbird, spending 6 mos a year in Florida and 6 mos in Massachusets. I leave a car in my garage when I’m away. Should I use a trickle charger when car is not in use or is just disconnecting the battery ok? ---
**Author:** ![circuitsmith](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/circuitsmith/32/40376_2.png) [@circuitsmith](https://community.cartalk.com/u/circuitsmith)\ **Post date:** [September 18, 2014, 6:30pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/car-chager-use/87250/2 "2014-09-18T18:30:32Z")
Disconnecting the battery is the cheapest, simplest route if car doesn’t have problems with losing stored information in the electronics. Another option is a Battery Tender, which is an automatic slow charger/maintainer. Third is a cheap trickle charger connected to a household timer set for 1 hour per day. Don’t use a simple trickle charger continuously. ---
**Author:** ![texases](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/texases/32/862_2.png) [@texases](https://community.cartalk.com/u/texases)\ **Post date:** [September 18, 2014, 6:50pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/car-chager-use/87250/3 "2014-09-18T18:50:24Z")
I wouldn’t use a trickle charger, and for newer cars I wouldn’t disconnect the battery. I’d use a battery tender, as recommended above. ---
**Author:** ![Docnick](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/ecae2f/32.png) [@Docnick](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Docnick)\ **Post date:** [September 18, 2014, 6:53pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/car-chager-use/87250/4 "2014-09-18T18:53:46Z")
If you are going to disconnect the battery, take it out and store it in a place that is above freezing, unless of course the car is in a heated garage. Not doing so will freeze and damage the battery as it gradually discharges. I have 2 lead acid batteries for my lawnmower, and they are stored in the basement over the winter and occasionally trickle charged up. ---
**Author:** ![jesmed1](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/jesmed1/32/2097_2.png) [@jesmed1](https://community.cartalk.com/u/jesmed1)\ **Post date:** [September 18, 2014, 6:57pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/car-chager-use/87250/5 "2014-09-18T18:57:35Z")
This is what you need. I have one and it works great. It will not overcharge your battery. Hook it up, leave it for 6 months, and when you come back the car will start right up. > **[Amazon.com: Battery Tender 021-0123 Battery Tender Junior 12V, 0.75A Battery Charger: Automotive](https://www.amazon.com/Battery-Tender-021-0123-Junior-Charger/dp/B000CITK8S/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1411051966&sr=8-1&keywords=Battery+tender)** > > Battery Tender Junior 12V Battery Charger is much more than a trickle charger. It has a brain, is lightweight, compact, fully automatic and very easy to use especially in small spaces. This battery ch ... ---
**Author:** ![Papi1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/df705f/32.png) [@Papi1](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Papi1)\ **Post date:** [September 18, 2014, 7:02pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/car-chager-use/87250/6 "2014-09-18T19:02:22Z")
What’s the difference between a trickle charger and a battery tender? ---
**Author:** ![texases](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/texases/32/862_2.png) [@texases](https://community.cartalk.com/u/texases)\ **Post date:** [September 18, 2014, 7:12pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/car-chager-use/87250/7 "2014-09-18T19:12:06Z")
A trickle charger puts a low, but constant, current through the battery, potentially overcharging it. A battery tender monitors voltage and current, reducing and shutting down charging when the battery’s charged, then charging when needed. ---
**Author:** ![Caddyman](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/caddyman/32/23_2.png) [@Caddyman](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Caddyman)\ **Post date:** [September 18, 2014, 7:24pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/car-chager-use/87250/8 "2014-09-18T19:24:47Z")
I do the same thing and just disconnect the battery…I don’t like leaving things plugged in for 6 months in a vacant building…During the cold winter months, the battery self-discharge rate is very low…When we return, the car starts right up…