Noco Trickle Charger - leave plugged in all the time?

[andrew_j]

I have a Noco 1 amp trickle charger for our vehicle that sits.

I can leave plugged in always or add a smart plug i have in front only charge a few hours a daily. Is it worth adding smart plug ?

Thanks

 

[bullwinkle]

If it is a NOCO Genius 1, it can be left plugged in indefinitely, it will maintain voltage after it reaches full charge. I generally have mine on the ‘11 Express in my sig to counteract the keyless entry system from draining the battery.

 

[Chevyc10]

Leave mine plugged in all the time.

 

[JHZR2]

I have genius 1 chargers plugged in continuously for years now. No worries.

They aren’t as optimal as battery minder chargers that keep a continuous float charge on the battery. Noco chargers go into a dormant state and wake up when the battery goes below some threshold. That’s fine, but I prefer a float charge. Still, I run the genius 1. I do wish it had an actual voltage readout…

 

[GSCJR]

@andrew_j, without actual data, it's difficult to be acurate; see what I did there? Being conservative, I would initially leave the charger on for 8 hours and then repeat once more 24 hours later. After 2 successful 8-hour cycles, I would then activate the battery charger for 20 minute intervals once a week to keep it charged.

This is assuming that your 1A charger is not a smart charger and my data assumptions. Use this recommendations at your own risk.

 

[JHZR2]

@andrew_j, without actual data, it's difficult to be acurate; see what I did there? Being conservative, I would initially leave the charger on for 8 hours and then repeat once more 24 hours later. After 2 successful 8-hour cycles, I would then activate the battery charger for 20 minute intervals once a week to keep it charged.

This is assuming that your 1A charger is not a smart charger and my data assumptions. Use this recommendations at your own risk.

It’s a NOCO 1 so it is a smart (-ish, no chargers are truly smart, except maybe $$$$ ones), and has some logic to go through its modes. Like most every other out there.

Without knowing typical parasitic draw, we don’t know if the 8-hr charge is worth anything. Will it get it to 90%? 98? 100? Most chargers leave a bit on the table and aren’t truly 100%, which is why I prefer ones that float continuously, since they at least offset losses and approach 100%.

Turning it off and on again exposes everything to never ending 14.5-15V stresses. Sure, every time the car turns on it sees that. But now we’re programming that in on a daily cycle. All the caps on boards and things that are constant hot get that may more slightly higher voltage cycles. Does it matter? Maybe not. But I know it’s less stressing to not do it.

2 hrs is only appropriate if you know your parasitic and know that a full charge is achieved. It could be too much or too little. Is that bad? Maybe not, you’re better off having it do something than nothing. If the charger lets a bit of battery charge leak back that could also add more parasitic.

Way too easy to over think it!!

 

[RooflessVW]

I have a Genius 2 and my Touareg stays plugged in when not in use. The Genius 2 is permanently mounted and wired to a bumper plug along with my heater.

 

[GSCJR]

It’s a NOCO 1 so it is a smart (-ish, no chargers are truly smart, except maybe $$$$ ones), and has some logic to go through its modes. Like most every other out there.

Without knowing typical parasitic draw, we don’t know if the 8-hr charge is worth anything. Will it get it to 90%? 98? 100? Most chargers leave a bit on the table and aren’t truly 100%, which is why I prefer ones that float continuously, since they at least offset losses and approach 100%.

Turning it off and on again exposes everything to never ending 14.5-15V stresses. Sure, every time the car turns on it sees that. But now we’re programming that in on a daily cycle. All the caps on boards and things that are constant hot get that may more slightly higher voltage cycles. Does it matter? Maybe not. But I know it’s less stressing to not do it.

2 hrs is only appropriate if you know your parasitic and know that a full charge is achieved. It could be too much or too little. Is that bad? Maybe not, you’re better off having it do something than nothing. If the charger lets a bit of battery charge leak back that could also add more parasitic.

Way too easy to over think it!!

I think my response requires a review. Your comments don't seem to line up with my recommendations.

Noco 1 amp trickle charger

I based all my recommendations based on that opening statement and other factors like (estimated Ah/SOC) and charger amp setting; 1 A.

This is assuming that your 1A charger is not a smart charger and my data assumptions.

+1

 

[f355spider]

@andrew_j, without actual data, it's difficult to be acurate; see what I did there? Being conservative, I would initially leave the charger on for 8 hours and then repeat once more 24 hours later. After 2 successful 8-hour cycles, I would then activate the battery charger for 20 minute intervals once a week to keep it charged.

This is assuming that your 1A charger is not a smart charger and my data assumptions. Use this recommendations at your own risk.

The NOCO products are all "smart" chargers. It can be left connected continously.

 

[GSCJR]

The NOCO products are all "smart" chargers. It can be left connected continously.

Thank you for clarifying!

 

[f355spider]

Thank you for clarifying!

Pretty much everything is microprocessor controlled these days. Only something 20 years old, or the most cheaply sold chargers are not.
Even the $7 ones on Amazon are smart chargers. You pretty much have to go out of your way to find one that is not microprocessor controlled.

 

[SOUNDMAN5000]

Assuming OP's "Noco 1 amp trickle charger" is a NOCO genius , YES Plug it in any time you are not driving or riding 24/7/365.
I have one motorcycle ( Harley ) I have connected to some kinda battery maintainer 24/7/365 unless I'm riding, its connected the last 25+ years or so. I get about 5 years and have to replace the battery.

 

[GSCJR]

Pretty much everything is microprocessor controlled these days.

Thank you for clarifying.

Only something 20 years old, or the most cheaply sold chargers are not.

10-4

You pretty much have to go out of your way to find one that is not microprocessor controlled.

My garage is NOT out of my way.