Charging a battery via cigarette lighter / accessory port

[Sierra048]

Just wondering if I could charge/maintain the 12v battery in our Kubota 850 Sidekick using the adaptor linked below. Keeping the polarity correct I'd use the accessory port if it has constant battery. There is a reason for asking but would just like to know if this is feasible. Thanks.

https://www.walmart.com/ip/2Pcs-12V...d-15AWG-15A-Fused-Male-Socket-Plug/1989778879

 

[Rand]

shouldnt you check to make sure its constant before asking? otherwise its waste of time?

What amp charger were you considering?

 

[mk378]

You would want a cord with active electronics in it to buck / boost and regulate the voltage being supplied to the tractor battery. This is called a "DC to DC charger." A direct connection has no way to counteract the resistance of the wires in the car and would charge very slowly, and only when the car is running.

 

[thastinger]

Just wondering if I could charge/maintain the 12v battery in our Kubota 850 Sidekick using the adaptor linked below. Keeping the polarity correct I'd use the accessory port if it has constant battery. There is a reason for asking but would just like to know if this is feasible. Thanks.

https://www.walmart.com/ip/2Pcs-12V...d-15AWG-15A-Fused-Male-Socket-Plug/1989778879

Provided it i constant then yes you can but it would just be a maintainer charge as the wires and connections won't handle more than 2 or 3 amp. I think the fuses in most of the plug ins are a 3amp glass fuse.

 

[Kira]

The product comes with 8 replacement fuses...4 10AMP + 4 15AMP!

You would want a cord with active electronics in it to buck / boost and regulate the voltage being supplied to the tractor battery.

Like a NOCO and other "smart chargers"?

A direct connection has no way to counteract the resistance of the wires in the car and would charge very slowly

Would that matter in the case of a "trickle charger"?

 

[JavierH19]

If it stays powered on when off it should which I think it will. Modern cars are the ones that tend to have that issue. You should only use a trickle charger. 3 amps are common and I have one.

 

[mk378]

This is an example which might work for you, though it only charges the destination battery at 0.8 A. Assuming the lighter socket stays live, it would will keep charging even if the car is off, until the car battery runs out. It is made to charge the small battery on a trailer that is part of the breakaway safety system. It would draw power from the truck's "always live" 12 volt circuit which outputs a varying voltage.

https://www.amazon.com/Tekonsha-2024-07-Heavy-Multi-Stage-Charger/dp/B007V5B7AE

There are large versions from Renogy or Victron or no-name brands made to charge the main battery in an RV at a much higher rate. Those may be able to be programmed for a limited input current so they don't overload the lighter socket.

 

[Vercingetorix]

https://optimate1.com/product/optimate-dc-to-dc/

 

[WobblyElvis]

The "power port / cigarette lighter" socket should handle 10 amps easily and is a direct line to the battery provided it is an always live system. They used to make 120 volt trickle chargers/car warmers that plugged into the cigarette lighter to give the battery a little top up before a cold start. Depending on you needs you probably want a good brand of battery maintainer hooked up to the lighter socket adapter.

 

[twX]

It should work just fine for a charger rated up to 10 amps. If the power to the socket is switched by the ignition, you can buy a female socket with terminals that will wire directly to the battery, then install the socket somewhere convenient. You'll want it to have at least 16 gauge wire and a fuse holder with a 15A fuse. I've done this on motorcycles and it works well.

The charging rate would be affected by voltage drop, which will increase the charging time, but it shouldn't make a huge difference.

 

[Sierra048]

shouldnt you check to make sure its constant before asking? otherwise its waste of time?

What amp charger were you considering?

I will certainly check before moving forward. The Kubota sits outside under a cover and the weather has been miserable since I decided to do this, if possible. I have a nice charger capable of charging at 2, 6 or 10 amps. I always maintain my batteries at 2 amps.

 

[Sierra048]

You would want a cord with active electronics in it to buck / boost and regulate the voltage being supplied to the tractor battery. This is called a "DC to DC charger." A direct connection has no way to counteract the resistance of the wires in the car and would charge very slowly, and only when the car is running.

Like a NOCO and other "smart chargers"?

The charger I use is a smart charger and monitors the charging process.

The Kubota doesn't see much usage throughout the year. But when needed it's a lifesaver. My goal is to keep the battery charged and ready if needed. This is especially important during the winter. The reason I'm trying to find out if my initial post inquiry is possible is I'm getting old and it's hard, not impossible, for me to reach the battery terminals up under the frame below the driver's seat. Just trying to make it a little easier on myself. Thanks for all the input and suggestions.

 

[mk378]

There are two proposals in your first post.
1. Draw power from a car or truck instead of a 120 volt outlet.
2. Charge the UTV battery in place through its lighter socket instead of connecting to the battery.

2 is easy as long as the lighter is always live while the key is off. Any small battery charger can be connected to a lighter plug. If the socket is not always live, the wiring can be modified or another socket installed that is connected to the battery direct (with a fuse).

 

[f355spider]

No problem to charge through the cigarette lighter if it is always "on". I have been doing it with my 2001 BMW 540 for over 20 years for occasional use of a battery maintainer. Most makers of battery maintainers want you to limit the charging amperage to no higher than 6 to 8 amps through the lighter socket. I limit to no more than 4 amps...just my preference.

I have cigarette lighter adapter with an SAE plug I wired on, so I can use from any number of various battery maintainers I own.
Never an issue using Battery Tender, Griots Garage, Battery Minder, Granite Digital "Save a Battery", and a few others I cannot recall.