Originally Posted By: fdcg27
Connect the thing to the battery properly and plug it in.
I've got a cheapo HF float charger I use for my old BMW over the winter.
Some here predicted dire results for the batt, but after three winters of storage using this five dollar device, the battery seems perfectly happy.
Nobody predicted dire results, but three winters is hardly impressive, and it is well known in the industry and by the manufacturers that thermal compensation is best practice for longevity.
OP, lead acid batteries last longest when maintained at full state of charge. They do self-discharge, but that is slow and temperature dependent. Removing the battery cable will prevent parasitic discharge via the vehicle, which will slow down overall depletion to just self discharge. Putting it on by maintainer will prevent any discharge keeping it healthiest. A temperature compensated maintainer is best.
Practically speaking for the sitting duration you have, unless you're seeing issues, you may not need anything (assuming you charge fully each time you do use it), and depending upon your change-out interval, may or may not have a benefit. I keep our batteries 10+ years since they are maintained and tested, so the economics of buying a maintainer was easy.