What battery charger can I use at the track?

[team39763]

I always seem to have dead/weak batteries(not an alternator problem). I use the battery from my race truck to power some small tools and other stuff. The truck sits for months at a time and when it is turned on, I only let it warm up then make a 1/4mile pass. I don't think that's enough time to charge the battery back up with the alternator...or is it? Lately I've had a neighbor to charge the battery before I go to the track. But I'm thinkin' I need to look into my own mobile battery charger. Do I need a generator to power the battery charger since I can't plug it in like at the house?

[kwhite4]

I use a Sears type stand up charger with a timer and multi settings for different uses such as a trickle type charge or deep cell charge , 12 and 6 volt . engine start ect.
You will need a Genny and not a small one if you use a larger style charger.
I do bring a smaller briefcase type charger and it works good if you have time between rounds for it to do its job.
Also a jump box is a nice thing to have...
Keith

[team39763]

Thanks for the reply.

I got a jump box and I'm in the process of choosing a charger. I'll probably go with a small charger since I usually chill for 20-30 minutes between runs(I'm a test'n'tune'r). I'll start looking for a generator too.

[vin63]

Originally Posted by team39763

I always seem to have dead/weak batteries(not an alternator problem). I use the battery from my race truck to power some small tools and other stuff. The truck sits for months at a time and when it is turned on, I only let it warm up then make a 1/4mile pass. I don't think that's enough time to charge the battery back up with the alternator...or is it? Lately I've had a neighbor to charge the battery before I go to the track. But I'm thinkin' I need to look into my own mobile battery charger. Do I need a generator to power the battery charger since I can't plug it in like at the house?

Yes, you'll need a generator to power a battery charger at the track. It would be good to use a trickle charger or battery tender during the time the truck sits to keep the charge level up, preventing cell damage.

I use a small Schumacher 12V charger with a 2, 10 and 40 amp settings for my race car, and I also have larger stand up Schumacher with the larger settings and timers just in case my winch batter runs down and to charge the RV battery pack.

[Marv D]

Pretty much a ditto of vin63's reply here.. but just my 2¢


Deltran battery tender for any time the truck sits, and a GOOD switchable 10 / 30 / (75 or 100) amp charger is what you will see most guys use at the track.

The Deltran battery tenders, even the little 1amp deal will keep the battery fresh without overcharging between races ASSUMING you charged the battery before putting the truck away. http://www.summitracing.com/parts/DTN-021-0123/


I have 2 of the 2/10 amp Deltrans mounted in the trailer, one for the car, one for the trailer batteries.

http://www.summitracing.com/parts/DTN-0220142DLWHB/

At the track:
You need to be aware of a couple of things. The cheep battery chargers will spike BIG TIME when turned on / connected to a weak battery. I've seen them blow Mallory distributor modules, destroy Dedenbear delay boxes, burn MDS ignition boxes, and blow the diodes out of a small race alternator. When you get a charger for the between-rounds charges at the track, be CAUTIOUS in choosing a good one. (I prefer the Schumachers too) and get one big enough to put an honest 30-40 amps into the system while your cooling down. Running water pump, fans, data loggers, dash lights, etc takes a LOT of juice, and you probably won't charge until you shut things down. Almost no charger will keep up with the demand of between-round cooling. So a cheapie that is really only putting out 15-20 amps will not 'recharge' the battery after the drain.

Of all the charging devices I see at the track,, IMO (and just IMO) the most important is a good wiring system, and a GOOD alternator. Shogun has a great one, but any alternator putting out more than 40-60 amps will work. The power it takes to turn a alternator isn't going to make SQUAT in ET. so don't even think about removing the alternator.
and speaking of SHogun,, here is their tech page. Should be a MUST READ for anyone wiring a race car, altering an existing wiring system or doing anything more than turning the key and driving.

https://www.shogunindustries.com/cgi...ech/index.html

[Psycho71]

Originally Posted by team39763

I always seem to have dead/weak batteries(not an alternator problem). I use the battery from my race truck to power some small tools and other stuff. The truck sits for months at a time and when it is turned on, I only let it warm up then make a 1/4mile pass. I don't think that's enough time to charge the battery back up with the alternator...or is it? Lately I've had a neighbor to charge the battery before I go to the track. But I'm thinkin' I need to look into my own mobile battery charger. Do I need a generator to power the battery charger since I can't plug it in like at the house?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rib_9kkl1N8

[team39763]

I had looked into doing something like that, but I was too embarrassed to mention it on here. If I can find a cheap edger here in town, I'll throw one of my spare alternators on there and try it.

[Psycho71]

I've seen those kind of set-ups all my life at local tracks here in Tx. Sure is easier than a charger and generator. Kind of old school, but some of the simplest ideas are still getting it done today.

[regan wilson]

Man dont be puttin all that Redneck info out there ! LOL .... I bet I have seen a dozen of those over the years . The one that really made me laugh is one of our Super Street guys from Arkansas used one instead of turning on the generator on in his Motorhome .