Trickle Charging a Speedster Battery

The danger with connecting both posts is the spark when the final connection is made when you jump start a battery from another live battery.  If you have a leaky battery you could set off explosion.

In that scenario, you should connect the positives between he cars, then the negative to the post on the car you're getting the jump from & then a ground point on the car somewhere away from the battery.  There's always a ground point, even on a plastic car, e.g. the engine. Also, reverse the process when you disconnect.

If you connect up a Battery Tender (which is a smart charger.  I wouldn't use just any trickle charger), it will keep your battery perfectly maintained.  Plug in the charger after the battery is hooked up.

I have a lead permanently connected to my battery (both main terminals) for the trickle charger. It comes with a cap that isolates the connection when I drive away (just a plug cover) Then I hook it up again when I get home. Whenever I charge my other cars, I hook up direct to the battery posts.....didn't know that could be a problem, but I'll think about it now.

Randy:  If you get a Schumacher smart trickle charger (About $30 bucks in the automotive dept. at Walmart) it comes with several different connection schemes, all with a 2-wire plug to connect to the charger - clips for your battery terminals, eye lugs for the battery clamp bolts and mine also has a 12V power plug for the accessory port.  I just plug it in there and walk away.  Easy disconnect later on, too.  Or you could wire the eye lugs to a couple of spots (+ and -) up under the dash and leave them connected.  They have an 8" long pigtail going to the 2-wire plug of the charger cord to connect the two.

 

The exploding battery phenomenon is especially prevalent in a closed battery space (like many of us have with the battery in the trunk out front) and in tight, closed battery areas on boats (especially sail boats, as the batteries are hidden away and are often pretty large).  

I bought a cheap trickle charger from Harbor Freight, cut off the clips and spliced on a cigarette lighter plug. 

A great way to attach your charger if you have a 12v accessory outlet.

I do have one of those Schumachers. So what's the verdict? Should I not try to charge it until the engine is back in? I'd really like to just hook it up to both posts and let it go.

Charger is no issue.  Hook it up to the battery then plug it into the wall.  I would just avoid doing it the other way around.