Mazda3 doesn't seem to want to start immediately?

[SparkYellow]

I use this for two cars that are not driven regularly https://a.co/d/fWc2Zx0

Most of chargers come with ring connectors (in addition to the black/red jaws/clamps) that you can connect to the battery terminals and just leave them there. That way you can connect and disconnect the charger without popping the hood.

I also keep a portable jumper pack in my daily driver. If your car gets decent amount of sun during the day, then solar chargers are very convenient as mentioned already. I have two other cars sitting in high wind environments so I fix the panel to the hood.

 

[TheMAN]

They're not the same. The booster takes the place of another car when your battery is dead and you need a jump. It's not a trickle charger.
'
I think the 1A (amp) means it will maintain the current state of the battery but not increase it. 2A will slowly charge the battery. When I put the charger on my battery after a couple weeks of normal driving (lots of trips less than 5 miles) 2A takes about 16 hours to bring it up to fully charged. 12A will charge the battery up in about an hour or less.

1Ah might charge a car battery, but it will be a struggle... battery tenders for cars have a minimum 1.25Ah for a very gentle recharge without failing to do so... anything less works best for ATVs, alarm batteries, etc

I would not try to recharge a battery at more than 7Ah as it will heat up the battery and hurt the cells

 

[TheMAN]

I use this for two cars that are not driven regularly https://a.co/d/fWc2Zx0

Most of chargers come with ring connectors (in addition to the black/red jaws/clamps) that you can connect to the battery terminals and just leave them there. That way you can connect and disconnect the charger without popping the hood.

I also keep a portable jumper pack in my daily driver. If your car gets decent amount of sun during the day, then solar chargers are very convenient as mentioned already. I have two other cars sitting in high wind environments so I fix the panel to the hood.

solar panels still works behind a windshield, no need to have it outside in the elements

 

[SparkYellow]

By ring connectors I mean something like this. I also use the quick-disconnect (green) on the car that I am working on. It's easier to twist off the green knob than taking the whole terminal connector off.

 

[SparkYellow]

solar panels still works behind a windshield, no need to have it outside in the elements

The low output of the panel and tint on the windshield may have contributed to the low charge in my case.

 

[SparkYellow]

For the CX-3, I route the charger-connector wire from a gap in the plastic trim piece and let the end sit next to the base of the wiper arm. For the R56, the battery sits right in front of the cabin air filter port so I push down the filter a bit to route the wire into the cabin.

 

[TheMAN]

The low output of the panel and tint on the windshield may have contributed to the low charge in my case.

 

[ZDA3]

I'll probably try one of these products but it's something I've never ever had the need to use in my life. A jump box yes.

If I were to go on a 2 week vacation, is it better to remove the battery connectors from the battery instead of letting it sit idle for that long?

I haven't gone for a road trip yet but the crank of the car is pretty quick now compared to when FIRST use of the car after it sat for 2 weeks.

Harbor Freight has this battery charger that automatically switches to trickle charging:

https://www.harborfreight.com/6v12v-2-amp-3-stage-microprocessor-controlled-automatic-battery-charger-57015.html

This battery maintainer has the descriptions below:

https://www.harborfreight.com/15-amp-612v-on-board-battery-maintainer-59520.html

• Automatic charging control delivers fast, efficient, and worry-free operation
• Advanced error detection with auto shutoff

Another battery maintainer here and its description:

https://www.harborfreight.com/4-amp-fully-automatic-microprocessor-controlled-battery-chargermaintainer-63350.html

• Automatically switches to maintenance mode when battery is charged

These descriptions make it sound like it's a float charger?

Harbor Freight also has a float charger:

https://www.harborfreight.com/12v-deluxe-battery-maintainer-and-float-charger-62813.html

If I were to use these I'd still need to remove the battery from the car since these products require to be connected to an electrical outlet. Is there not a portable version of these?

 

[SparkYellow]

Before I got solar for my old Suburban at an off grid spot, I would run the maintainer once a week from a 1000wh power station (that was fed by a 100w solar panel on the roof.) So a portable power station, depending on the capacity, can support a maintainer for at least a few hours. As an avid camper and solar enthusiast, I have a small collection of power stations that I use at home and camp. They are useful during power outages too.

Now the car battery gets 35w solar from the hood. I believe 20w of solar would be sufficient if there's full sun.

 

[TheMAN]

I'll probably try one of these products but it's something I've never ever had the need to use in my life. A jump box yes.

If I were to go on a 2 week vacation, is it better to remove the battery connectors from the battery instead of letting it sit idle for that long?

I haven't gone for a road trip yet but the crank of the car is pretty quick now compared to when FIRST use of the car after it sat for 2 weeks.

Harbor Freight has this battery charger that automatically switches to trickle charging:

https://www.harborfreight.com/6v12v-2-amp-3-stage-microprocessor-controlled-automatic-battery-charger-57015.html

This battery maintainer has the descriptions below:

https://www.harborfreight.com/15-amp-612v-on-board-battery-maintainer-59520.html

• Automatic charging control delivers fast, efficient, and worry-free operation
• Advanced error detection with auto shutoff

Another battery maintainer here and its description:

https://www.harborfreight.com/4-amp-fully-automatic-microprocessor-controlled-battery-chargermaintainer-63350.html

• Automatically switches to maintenance mode when battery is charged

These descriptions make it sound like it's a float charger?

Harbor Freight also has a float charger:

https://www.harborfreight.com/12v-deluxe-battery-maintainer-and-float-charger-62813.html

If I were to use these I'd still need to remove the battery from the car since these products require to be connected to an electrical outlet. Is there not a portable version of these?

too risky... if you want to risk damaging your battery or getting something caught on fire because of cheap crap electronics, go ahead

I bought one of those years ago and gave it away with a beater car I sold to my friend and he said it didn't work

stick to reputable battery tender, ctek, or noco... they work and they're expensive for a reason... you get what you pay... a good battery charger theoretically lasts you a lifetime, as long as the electronics don't get fried (get a surge protector)... so consider that a "toolbox investment"

sometimes the big box warehouse club stores might sell a smart battery charger for a good price, look into it and take advantage of the good prices

be aware that ctek warranty is only good if you buy from an authorized dealer... if you buy from ebay, the sellers usually take off the serial number stickers from the box and charger, and if there's a problem, you're screwed... I think there's an authorized seller's list out there you can find

 

[wlong01]

too risky... if you want to risk damaging your battery or getting something caught on fire because of cheap crap electronics, go ahead

I bought one of those years ago and gave it away with a beater car I sold to my friend and he said it didn't work

stick to reputable battery tender, ctek, or noco... they work and they're expensive for a reason... you get what you pay... a good battery charger theoretically lasts you a lifetime, as long as the electronics don't get fried (get a surge protector)... so consider that a "toolbox investment"

sometimes the big box warehouse club stores might sell a smart battery charger for a good price, look into it and take advantage of the good prices

be aware that ctek warranty is only good if you buy from an authorized dealer... if you buy from ebay, the sellers usually take off the serial number stickers from the box and charger, and if there's a problem, you're screwed... I think there's an authorized seller's list out there you can find

Harbor Freight sells decent products but I wouldn't go with their low end stuff especially when there's the risk of damage/fire. I've bought many things from them and they sell mid-range products, good for the DIY'er.