Bj”rn Forsstr”m (2:203/614.61) wrote to Steven Horn at 19:38 on 12 Feb 2004:

 BF> What is a trickle charger?


Note Jim Kerr's description:

"A 2 Amp trickle charger can be used all winter long. The power put
out by the trickle charger is very low and will just keep the battery warm.
Mount the charger in the engine compartment so it will not damage other
components and wire the charger positive and negative leads to the battery
connections. Most vehicles with batteries that are difficult to access will
have auxiliary connection terminals mounted in an easy to find spot. These
are good places to connect the charger. Route the power cord so it can be
plugged in with your block heater and you are ready to go. The trickle
charger could cause a battery drain if left on continuously in the
summertime, so disconnect it from the battery during warmer months"

 SH> Starters may now be more efficient.

 BF> No. Rather the opposite. And you can't really make a starter more
 BF> efficient. What it takes to rotate a motor you must provide and
 BF> making a starter smaller isn't possible. Smaller in size perhaps
 BF> but not "smaller" in A.

What you can do is to improve contacts and other parts that make a starter
operate with less waste.  I haven't ever had to whack the solenoid on the
starters of my last three cars but sure used to have to on the starters of
my old beaters in the 60s and 70s.

Take care,

Steven Horn (steven_a_horn{at}yahoo.ca)
Moderator, ALASKA_CHAT 
--- timEd/386 1.10.y2k+