NOCO Genius 5a Charger

[Tcheairs]

Has anyone had long term experience with the NOCO Genius charger in maintaining an AGM (Odyssey PC 680) 12v battery. Probably time to abandon my Harbor Freight "maintainer" I've been leaving it on all the time. Battery is 2 years old and showing signs of losing life.
Thanks

 

[bonefishdave]

Has anyone had long term experience with the NOCO Genius charger in maintaining an AGM (Odyssey PC 680) 12v battery. Probably time to abandon my Harbor Freight "maintainer" I've been leaving it on all the time. Battery is 2 years old and showing signs of losing life.
Thanks

Odyssey makes a charger that is designed specifically for their battery. Why not go with that ?

 

[Carl Froehlich]

I've been leaving it on all the time. Battery is 2 years old and showing signs of losing life.
Thanks

This is the best way I know of to kill a perfectly good battery.

For most people that fly at least a couple of times a month there is no need for any battery charger, trickle charger, maintainer or such. If you abuse your battery (e.g. leave a master on) you no longer know the battery capacity as you have damaged it. Time to replace. For hangar flying connect a regulated power supple to the battery. It acts just like your alternator to power your panel while keeping your battery at normal alternator voltage (14.2VDC or so).

The old trashy battery/trickle chargers should never be attached to any airplane when avionics or electronic ignitions are connected.

As I have posted in the past, I run two PC-625 batteries for 25 years in the various builds. I used to replace one every 2 years (so oldest being 4 years old) but with experince I have confidence in meeting my design reserve capacity to extend this to pulling the oldest at 6 years. The pulled battery goes on to a second career in one of my neighbor’s John Deer tractor.

Carl

 

[RV7 To Go]

There are definitely conflicting opinions on how Odyssey batteries should be maintained. The following is from the Odyssey website.

In the "Charging" section of the manual.
"To get long life from the ODYSSEY battery, it is important that the battery is kept near full charge, approximately 12.8V. If there are electrical loads during storage, then the negative battery cable should be disconnected or an independent float charger used. Low power 2.0 amp chargers for storage charge will keep a fully charged battery fully charged but cannot recharge if the ODYSSEY battery becomes discharged."

In the "Winter Storage" section of the manual.
"A 12V, 2 amp trickle charger can also be left connected to the battery if it is kept in storage for extended periods or if the battery is subject to parasitic loads during storage.
The trickle charge voltage measured at the battery terminals must be between 13.5V and 13.8V. We recommend using the ODYSSEY battery charger for your battery. Additional information on ODYSSEY battery chargers, where to buy ODYSSEY battery chargers and ODYSSEY battery charging in general can be found on our website at www.odysseybattery.com."

I always used a trickle charger on the PC680 in my 7. It is currently going on 9 years old and still no issue starting the O-360. I don't have an electrically dependant engine and don't fly IFR so I don't worry about losing my electrical. If the alternator and battery die I have the BU battery for the EFIS and my phone. YMMV.

 

[Thermos]

Has anyone had long term experience with the NOCO Genius charger in maintaining an AGM (Odyssey PC 680) 12v battery.

I had two NOCO chargers for my PC680. The first one lasted about 6 or so months despite only occasional use, and its free replacement failed after a couple of months. I'd look elsewhere for a charger.

HTH

Dave

 

[wirejock]

I have a Genius 10. I prefer it over the Genius 5 because it has a "supply" setting. I can't comment on Odyssey batteries because I'm still using cheapo Max batteries from Amazon. The first one died recently. I don't leave the charger connected, I charge the battery after a day of working. I do like NOCO products. I have a Boost unit at home for the cars and generator.

 

[avrojockey]

I also have the NOCO Genius 10 and it works magic. I don't use it to maintain my PC680 though because I fly often. I will use it while doing avionics work, etc, in "12V Supply" mode...provides a constant regulated voltage. It does have a 12V repair mode for sulfated batteries, which you should never need if your alternator voltage is properly regulated

I had a vehicle parked up in Door County (3D2) with an AGM battery in it for sitting long periods. Last fall I forgot to disconnect that battery and the next time we were there, the battery was complete dead. Even after a jump start, and 2 hrs of steady 14.4 volts from the alternator, it would not charge. I put the NOCO charger on it, and NOCO was able to put a charge on it, then I ran it through repair mode. Battery is probably good as new, albeit with degraded capacity...not a big deal in a car

 

[Tcheairs]

Thanks to all for the replies..Think I'll just get the Odyssey charger and stick with that.