Batteryminder 1500 Review

[Ford850]

I've had no battery failures since my update a year ago. It's been 2 1/2 years since I started this thread, and I'm still using the battery in my DX55. That was the weak battery that prompted me to buy the BatteryMinder. So weak, that I already bought a replacement battery thinking the BatteryMinder wouldn't arrive before a big snow storm. But it did arrive just in time, and my tired battery was rejuvenated so I returned that replacement battery. It's amazing to me that I'm still using that battery after it was so weak back then, and it is lightning quick now. Sooner or later it will fail, but I'm pleased with the results, and with my battery maintenance routine.

 

[BarnieTrk]

A great success story Ford850!

Here is another battery story: First off, my charger is also a 'smartcharger' - see post #32. My story goes like this:

I own an old rusty-but-trusty '95 Wrangler which I use to plow snow. It doesn't get much use during the non-snow plowing months, but I drive it every couple of weeks or so just to keep it "happy". Back at the end of June I had it out for a short trip. Then I tuck it back into it's hole in my shed. Because it is a tight space, it is difficult to get in/out of the door...so I usually leave the window open and just hand push it back into the space and steer it a bit throw the window. Well, in order to steer it, I have to leave the ignition key on...... you see where I'm going, ay? ..... yep, once I had it pushed back into its space, I forgot to reach in and turn the key off. So -- there is sat,, for over a month with the ignition key ON. NOW, the first week of August, I went to give its "oil another stirring" and low n' behold,,,,the key is on and the battery is STONE DEAD.

I pulled out my CTEK 4.3, put it on the battery and nothing. I tried unhooking and rehooking the cables...nothing. I looked at my charger manual and was not encouraged. Then I called the "any questions, call us" number. I explained to the CTEK tech my dilemma and asked them why wasn't I getting some error signal from the unit. The tech told me that if the target battery doesn't have ANY voltage in it, the charger "cannot grab it and build it up". So, disappointed, I thought my battery was junk. Then I thought I'd try to jump start it with my daily driver, a Ford Ranger. I pulled it up and hooked the jumper cables up. I then placed a block of wood on the accelerator to hold the Ranger engine at a 1400-RPM idle. I gave it about ten minutes, then I disconnected the jumper cables. I re-connected the CTEK 4.3 smartcharger. After about a minute, the charger indicated it was now adding charge! I left the charger on for 24 hrs. I removed the charger and started the Wrangler without a cough! The battery is fine now. A week later, I re-connected the charger and the battery was down a bit (to 10V) but it charged back up overnight and is still fine.
I was so close to junking the battery. But the jump gave it just enough to allow the charger to 'hook on and run with it' and brought it back from the depths of dead........

Have a GREAT DAY, Fellas!


BarnieTrk

 

[dickfoster]

I've had no battery failures since my update a year ago. It's been 2 1/2 years since I started this thread, and I'm still using the battery in my DX55. That was the weak battery that prompted me to buy the BatteryMinder. So weak, that I already bought a replacement battery thinking the BatteryMinder wouldn't arrive before a big snow storm. But it did arrive just in time, and my tired battery was rejuvenated so I returned that replacement battery. It's amazing to me that I'm still using that battery after it was so weak back then, and it is lightning quick now. Sooner or later it will fail, but I'm pleased with the results, and with my battery maintenance routine.

Mine has recovered a couple of AGMs along with some others and has paid for itself many times over. I have their older model.

 

[Ford850]

I've had no battery failures since my update a year ago. It's been 2 1/2 years since I started this thread, and I'm still using the battery in my DX55. That was the weak battery that prompted me to buy the BatteryMinder. So weak, that I already bought a replacement battery thinking the BatteryMinder wouldn't arrive before a big snow storm. But it did arrive just in time, and my tired battery was rejuvenated so I returned that replacement battery. It's amazing to me that I'm still using that battery after it was so weak back then, and it is lightning quick now. Sooner or later it will fail, but I'm pleased with the results, and with my battery maintenance routine.

I'm checking in to this thread to update, 3 years after my initial post about my BatteryMinder rejuvenating the battery on my DX55. Other than that battery on my Grasshopper back in 2015, I have had no other replacements. All batteries are still cranking strong, including the original one on the DX55. I continue my routine of connecting the 'Minder' to each battery for a day or so, about once a month. Another benefit I've noticed is that I have little or no corrosion on cables and clamps like I used to have. I assume it is because the batteries are kept fully charged and aren't gassing off like the did when sitting idle with a partial charge. I do keep them coated with Fluid Film, which also helps.

 

[Ford850]

I'm checking in to this thread to update, 3 years after my initial post about my BatteryMinder rejuvenating the battery on my DX55. Other than that battery on my Grasshopper back in 2015, I have had no other replacements. All batteries are still cranking strong, including the original one on the DX55. I continue my routine of connecting the 'Minder' to each battery for a day or so, about once a month. Another benefit I've noticed is that I have little or no corrosion on cables and clamps like I used to have. I assume it is because the batteries are kept fully charged and aren't gassing off like the did when sitting idle with a partial charge. I do keep them coated with Fluid Film, which also helps.

It's time for my annual follow up to this thread. I could repeat my update from a year ago, word for word, other than it's now been 4 years since I had a bad battery that the BatteryMinder rejuvenated. Think about that. This BatteryMinder has given me over 50% extended life on that one battery alone. It was gone at 7 years, and brought back to life for 4 more years and counting. Plus it's keeping all my other batteries fresh.

 

[Billrog]

I've been maintaining 24 battery's with my battery minder for 10 years now don't know if it's extending the life of them but I have no dead battery's. During the winter when my equipment sits not used I use the charger on each one for a few days once a mon. or so.

 

[Gregster613]

Following the advice of the TBN crowd; I bought one. Put it on a battery last night and seems to work fine. However, I am a tad puzzled with the directions. I understand the color coding, but it doesn't specify if the blue flashing light (for desulfation mode I believe) is supposed to be flashing all the time or if it will eventually go out?
I've got solid green at top (power on), solid green at charging/maintenance mode, and then the constant blue flashing. Does the blue come on solid if the battery needs major desulfation or goes into desulfation mode? I guess I'm asking "why/what" makes it flash? Is it supposed to do this always?

My other question is per charging multiple batteries at the same time. If I understand the directions correctly, I just need to wire up the 12 volt batteries as shown in the directions (+ to + and - to -) and attach my charger to only one battery? If so, why do they sell a separate y type adapter for that sole purpose? I don't mean to post a dumb question but I don't exactly follow what they are saying. Hopefully, someone who owns one already can advise me so that I don't short out or damage my new charger. Thanks, Greg

 

[Ford850]

The blue light will always flash if working properly. Solid green charging light is in maintenance so where yours is at means it’s in a holding pattern. I leave mine in that state for days or weeks at least once a year to help desulphate. Then the rest of the times I only leave it for a day or two. Just my plan to do an annual cleanup and minor maintenance the rest of the year.
I only connect one battery at a time so I can’t help much on your other question.

 

[Gregster613]

Thank you for clarifying the blue light flashing Ford850. That's what I thought it meant but wanted to be sure. I will probably only use it on one battery at a time also, but was curious about the proper hookup for multiple battery's anyhow. Thanks for the reply. Greg

 

[cqaigy2]

Thanks for the update!