I just purchased a new lead / acid automotive battery from Wal-Mart. This battery is not for an automotive application. But rather for operating a 12 volt clay target launcher for shotgun shooting. They advertise up to 3,000 target launches between charges.
I also purchased a small, "Battery Tender Junior" to keep the battery maintained with the proper charge when it's not in use. These require you to keep the battery hooked up, with the "Battery Tender" plugged into the wall outlet constantly. This unit produces 12 volts at a maximum of 750 Milliamps, (3/4 of an amp). I was wondering how these things work? What is to keep them from overcharging the battery? I'm assuming they have some type of electronic sensors in them to prevent this.
We used the thrower once already. And it only took about an hour to bring the battery up to the fully charged level after we got home, as indicated by the steady green LED on the unit that plugs into the wall. We threw about 180 targets. Solid red means it is charging at maximum output. Flashing green means it has reached approx. 90% charge. And solid green indicates fully charged. I'm assuming that by leaving it hooked up to the battery all the time, it will maintain the full charge without causing an overcharge condition. Does anyone else use these? I haven't heard a bad word about them. I'm not real good about electricity, and wondered exactly how they work?
I also purchased a small, "Battery Tender Junior" to keep the battery maintained with the proper charge when it's not in use. These require you to keep the battery hooked up, with the "Battery Tender" plugged into the wall outlet constantly. This unit produces 12 volts at a maximum of 750 Milliamps, (3/4 of an amp). I was wondering how these things work? What is to keep them from overcharging the battery? I'm assuming they have some type of electronic sensors in them to prevent this.
We used the thrower once already. And it only took about an hour to bring the battery up to the fully charged level after we got home, as indicated by the steady green LED on the unit that plugs into the wall. We threw about 180 targets. Solid red means it is charging at maximum output. Flashing green means it has reached approx. 90% charge. And solid green indicates fully charged. I'm assuming that by leaving it hooked up to the battery all the time, it will maintain the full charge without causing an overcharge condition. Does anyone else use these? I haven't heard a bad word about them. I'm not real good about electricity, and wondered exactly how they work?