Battery Chargers - How often do you use?

[AlabamaDan]

I heard the other day that the alternator won't charge a battery back up to 100%. The guy I was talking to said the alternator does just enough to keep a battery that was fully charged topped off. He said this was especially true if you took short trips in stop and go traffic. If this is true I was thinking that periodically I should hook the battery charger up to my battery and let it charge overnight. Anybody ever heard anything like this or periodically charge the battery even when it hasn't given you any trouble?

[szh]

First time I have heard of this! Can others comment too, please?

Z

[Jesda]

The battery on the Q should be charged during extended periods of parking (a month). Otherwise its just fine.

You especially want to charge it overnight when you buy a new battery.

[driverdriver]

I use a solar trickle charger on the J, when I have it parked for an extended period of time, otherwise I don't bother.

[maxnix]

Always charged and on cahrger when stored. Alternator may well be strained when trying to cahrge dead battery in town driving with all accessories on. On a 500 mile highway jaunt, may be less of a problem.

[AlabamaDan]

I noticed my friend's 2005 Dodge this weekend has insulation (like under the hood. The thick dense stuff) wrapped around the battery. This is factory installed. What's the purpose?