what to look for on a battary charger
 

I don't drive my cars often. I had one dead battary already due to discharging battery (had the car system checked nothing wrong except not driving enough). I am looking for a battary charger. I was told that I should look for a trickle charger. How could I tell it is a trickle charger? If it said it is a 1.2 Amp does that make it a trickle charger? What else should I look for? Is it important that I get one or a brand known for its quality (ie more expensive) or is it like windshield washer fluid (ie does not matter that much). :)

thanks

blau.

I have a charger I bought at Walmart for my 230SL that I drive a few times a year. It is the "tender" type of charger. It charges at a low rate until it reaches a certain voltage and then turns itself off. When the voltage goes below a certain value it turns on again. This is the recommended way of maintaining a charge on a car battery that is not used much.

Because it turns itself on and off automatically, you can leave it plugged in all the time. I installed a plug to the outside so I can plug it in without opening the hood.

It is a Vector Smart model VEC080 and costs about $25. Works great!

I've been using a 'Battery Tender Jr.' for about 3 or 4 winters now, to maintain 2 batteries for my vehicles in storage Dec - May. You can judge for yourself if their product is worth the money. They have a fairly good (slightly biased) electonics discussion on the subject too. http://batterytender.com/default.php?osCsid=9ddbb1fd379cd753442343679314c19c
I think they are. I also have a gazmo that disconnects the battery when it discharges to a point below which the starter won't turn over, called a 'Priority Start'. http://www.prioritystart.com/ Somewhat expensive, but peace of mind for cars that are used very infrequently (and which have a problem with slow discharge, another subject)

I have used the "battery tender plus" for 4 years
to keep the batteries charged on the cars I
drive less frequently. Donbryce referenced their
website above. It's cheap and it works.

Darrell