Trickle Charger?

[binhdong]

Many people contributed already but I'll add my 2cents... I've been using Ctek for years ever since it's what my Corvette came with and Jay Lenno recommended them haha.

I use this model the Ctek MXS 5.0> https://amzn.to/4j7XhSg
This one does the main types of batteries you would run into. It does AGM which I believe most of our Jeeps come with? But it does flooded as well. This one will charge a bit slower but will bring either flooded or AGM to the correct voltage and maintain it there. If you just looking for trickle this will work wonders.

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[au176]

I recently purchased the Noco Genius 10 on sale at Amazon, but I haven't tried it out yet since I'm still waiting for my new vehicle to be built! What I liked is that a case and a cigarette lighter plug were also available.

Before using the cigarette plug, make sure the outlet you plug it in is "powered" when the vehicle is OFF. Pretty sure all JL dash outlets are NOT. The one in the "way-back" is. NOCO's "permanent" connector that mounts to the top of the battery is really good for the same price or less than the lighter adapter.

The case is kind of expensive at $25, BUT it is a nice quality, and keeps everything in one place and clean when not in use. When I grab the G10 to charge the Jeep for the winter, I know where everything is, which is worth the peace of mind. I've spent $25 on dumber things!

My 2021 JL setup: Noco Genius 10, NOCO GC002 X-Connect M6 Eyelet Terminal, GC040 Case. To remind me to unplug the charger before starting up and driving away, I ordered one of these in orange that says, "Disconnect Charger" that I hang from the top of the steering wheel. On other vehicles, I drape the cord over the handlebars or the door handle, but the way the Jeep is parked, this is the way for me to prevent "issues".

 

[CloakedWillys]

Before using the cigarette plug, make sure the outlet you plug it in is "powered" when the vehicle is OFF. Pretty sure all JL dash outlets are NOT. The one in the "way-back" is. NOCO's "permanent" connector that mounts to the top of the battery is really good for the same price or less than the lighter adapter.

The case is kind of expensive at $25, BUT it is a nice quality, and keeps everything in one place and clean when not in use. When I grab the G10 to charge the Jeep for the winter, I know where everything is, which is worth the peace of mind. I've spent $25 on dumber things!

My 2021 JL setup: Noco Genius 10, NOCO GC002 X-Connect M6 Eyelet Terminal, GC040 Case. To remind me to unplug the charger before starting up and driving away, I ordered one of these in orange that says, "Disconnect Charger" that I hang from the top of the steering wheel. On other vehicles, I drape the cord over the handlebars or the door handle, but the way the Jeep is parked, this is the way for me to prevent "issues".

LOL< I might need to order one of those for the bike. I have ridden off and it thankfully will pop the connector.


As far as connecting to the battery this is what I use and makes it easy.

https://no.co/gc002

 

[GinaC]

Before using the cigarette plug, make sure the outlet you plug it in is "powered" when the vehicle is OFF. Pretty sure all JL dash outlets are NOT. The one in the "way-back" is. NOCO's "permanent" connector that mounts to the top of the battery is really good for the same price or less than the lighter adapter.

The case is kind of expensive at $25, BUT it is a nice quality, and keeps everything in one place and clean when not in use. When I grab the G10 to charge the Jeep for the winter, I know where everything is, which is worth the peace of mind. I've spent $25 on dumber things!

My 2021 JL setup: Noco Genius 10, NOCO GC002 X-Connect M6 Eyelet Terminal, GC040 Case. To remind me to unplug the charger before starting up and driving away, I ordered one of these in orange that says, "Disconnect Charger" that I hang from the top of the steering wheel. On other vehicles, I drape the cord over the handlebars or the door handle, but the way the Jeep is parked, this is the way for me to prevent "issues".

Yeah, the correct plug was covered in another thread, and I made sure to check that my 2026 2 door on order will have a back plug. It's a Willys so it will also have a hitch hooked up, and I've heard that you can also trickle charge that way. I haven't found the correct adapter for that, though.

I needed the case because I'm the type of person who will find a "special place" for things and then completely forget where that is. I can hang the case up near the outlet in my garage and it's always neat and handy.

And that's a great system you have set up! Mine is simply that the cord will run across the door to my garage when it's plugged in. No way to avoid that without getting clotheslined!

 

[au176]

Another place, without popping the hood, to gain accessory to the battery is thru the ODB2 port by your left knee. A solar charger with a male cigarette light plug can be adapted with a cable like this one:

https://a.co/d/8sGJxPX

Of course, keeping the vehicle garaged, as a you seemed to indicate, makes solar a no go, but you did bring up this option so I thought I'd touch upon it.

Thanks for this! Looks like the perfect product to plug my Patriot aux brake into! (For four-flat towing...)

 

[map4ss]

Looking for suggestions for the best way to keep my battery alive without driving the Jeep for long periods of time.

There seems to be a lot of options for trickle chargers including solar powered. Jeep is kept in the driveway so no easy assess to an outlet although with a long extension cord I could maybe run it around the house and into the garage but it would be a long run.

Another option I guess is to remove the battery completely but I want to avoid that in case I need to move the Jeep in an emergency. Baring an emergency Jeep will be sitting for a few months.

So what brands/type of trickle charger is best? If I could keep it under $50 that would be ideal.

I hooked up a battery disconnect next to my JK battery. Got it from WALMART $15.I originally got it because the check engine light comes on for so much nonsence and it,s easier to do a reset without a wrench.

 

[Opus]

The nice thing about many modern chargers is that they are designed to avoid "operator error". Even if you accidentally cross up positive and negative it won't discharge.

With my NOCO 1 I just attach the red positive alligator clip to the positive terminal and the black negative alligator clip to the negative terminal on the main battery. After that, with the NOCO 1 you just have to be patient. It really is a "trickle" charger. It takes overnight or maybe even longer to give me a green light, but it gets there eventually. When I use it, the Jeep is going to be parked for days so there's no hurry.

 

[CO2Wrangler]

This is what I use on my bike and it works great.

https://no.co/genius5

Second this one.

 

[BRuby]

I'm actually not going anywhere. The Jeep needs a new axle so it will be hooked up to the charger until that can happen OR I sell it.

Now that you got your N5 working as it should - your battery should be good almost forever. Haha!. You should also use the desulfate mode to help extend your battery lifespan when you have a chance. Case in point here is our wimpy original 2018 OEM 65Ah battery under full 10s heated element load test. It still performs beautifully! Almost like new! Haha!

Any simple needle and scale test device will give you this vital info. You can get them anywhere. We have 7 batteries so use the damn thing all the time. You can also do a multimeter starter test as well. That also gives fantastic battery info under a real load scenario.

Our main starts every time in the very cold winter temps up on the ski hill. Remote start works all the time as well. So am thinking what we have been doing for many many years is probs just barely good enough.

 

[SadRobot]

Well the one flaw in my plan is you do actually need power at your house to charge with the Noco. And here I thought solar was a bad idea in case it rains and then the rain causes a power outage anyway.

 

[SadRobot]

Posting a follow up. I've had the Jeep on the Noco 5 for 2 months. I finally checked it and not sure when in those 2 months this happened but the charger has an error. Error says it's shorted or not charging. So I'll be troubleshooting this eventually to try and see if it's the charger or if my battery is dying. Battery was new in August 2023.

 

[roaniecowpony]

Batteries are like girlfriends. Everything is going along fine, then suddenly no start. You never see it coming.

AGM batteries are high maintenance. You gotta maintain them to a certain standard or they lose their electricity.

 

[SadRobot]

Batteries are like girlfriends. Everything is going along fine, then suddenly no start. You never see it coming.

AGM batteries are high maintenance. You gotta maintain them to a certain standard or they lose their electricity.

 

[Maverick909]

Ive had this Battery tender for 8 months. I switch it out between the Jeep and my motorcycle thing has done a great job at keeping the both pretty solid.

 

[SadRobot]

Ive had this Battery tender for 8 months. I switch it out between the Jeep and my motorcycle thing has done a great job at keeping the both pretty solid.

I wish I knew when it stopped working but I just kind of set it up and pretended the Jeep didn't exist for 2 months. If I can get a new axle in there I'll skip the charger and just make sure to drive it on the weekends.

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