Many drivers are familiar with jump starting a vehicle when the battery loses charge, but according to the people at Clore Automotive, most are not aware that there are also standalone battery charging devices to maintain an optimal voltage over longer periods. These battery maintainers, also called trickle chargers or float chargers, offer unique advantages to keep a battery working reliably and extend its usable lifespan dramatically. Understanding what these accessible devices do, and their key benefits explains why all vehicles can benefit from using a 24v battery maintainer during storage.

What Does A Battery Maintainer Do?

In short, a battery maintainer plugs into your car or truck’s battery to deliver a mild, steady electrical current on an ongoing basis. This supplemented current counteracts the small natural battery discharge happening constantly in any vehicle from minimal electrical draws, humidity, chemical reactions and other variables that deplete voltage over time. It regulates electrical flow to keep the battery perpetually recharged in a narrow voltage range without the opportunity for major drains or overcharges to occur. Maintainers are quite affordable and simple to use for continual optimization that most standard 12v or 24v lead-acid batteries need.

Reduces Sulfation Buildup

One of the leading failure causes for aging lead-acid batteries is accumulation of hard lead sulfate crystals inside the battery plates and electrodes. Sulfation occurs because of routine charge/discharge cycles plus chemical reactions producing sulfuric acid. Left unchecked, growing sulfate deposits hinder the battery’s ability to receive and discharge electricity until failure inevitably occurs. Connecting a quality battery maintainer frequently reverse charges the battery enough to reduce sulfate buildup significantly, keeping the internal components working efficiently much longer.

Prevents Voltage Drain During Storage

Even disconnected batteries self-discharge 5-10% every month as chemicals slowly interact and electrons dissipate. Over weeks or months of vehicle storage during travel, physical battery voltage often drops too low to start the engine. Battery maintainers produce just enough steady supplemental current to balance this natural discharge, keeping your battery ready to perform after storage without needing recharge jump starting. They monitor and correct voltage variations before they become problematic.

Revives Old or Sulphated Batteries

Recharging a depleted or damaged battery not at full failure yet can breathe extended life back into it. Battery maintainers slowly add correct voltage over hours/days, permitting very old or sulphated batteries to recover rather than replacing them immediately. The mild charging allows electrons to return to their proper places within battery plates and reverses sulfation, restoring lost performance. This affordable reviving can temporarily rescue a struggling battery that might otherwise be discarded.

No Overcharging or Corrosion

Unlike manual chargers requiring timed disconnects, battery maintainers have automatic shutoffs and reverse polarity protection if target voltage gets exceeded. This prevents overcharging damage from high voltage or currents. They also won’t produce external corrosion or deposits on the battery terminals over years of use. Quality maintainers even eliminate Delta Voltage issues from paired batteries drifting apart in condition. Connecting maintainer leads takes moments, but protects your investment 24/7.

Conclusion

Rather than scrambling with jump starters in parking lots when your battery unexpectedly dies, getting a quality 24v battery maintainer for seasonal use makes self-discharge concerns a thing of the past. The modest upfront cost is readily justified by extending battery lifespan, avoiding replacement too soon and preventing being stranded with a dead battery. Battery maintainers go beyond just recharging to provide easier starts, optimized internal chemical reactions, voltage stability and sulfate reduction your vehicle’s battery needs. Consider getting one today for battery longevity and reliable operation year after year.