TNhobbyfarmer
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Are they the same thing? Can a trickle charger act as a tender?
Trickle charger vs battery tender
- Thread starter TNhobbyfarmer
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Industrial Toys
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I would say historically a tender was always called a trickle charger. But earler trickle charges had no control circuitry. Just a simple charger that didn't have enough current to boil your battery.
Personally, I have never seen a tender or trickle charger that fully charges a battery. It doesn't boil the battery, but doesn't fully charge it either. Good enough for starting, but not good for charging deep cycle batteries that you want the most power in.
Personally, I have never seen a tender or trickle charger that fully charges a battery. It doesn't boil the battery, but doesn't fully charge it either. Good enough for starting, but not good for charging deep cycle batteries that you want the most power in.
CobyRupert
Super Member
Yes, no, sometimes?
I see that different websites, sometimes one says a trickle charger can "float charge", others sites the tender can "float charge"; and it's the other type of charger that doesn't.
I think it comes down to how "smart" the charger is. Does it just put out a "dumb" charging voltage regardless of what the battery is doing (internal resistance, state of charge, etc...), will it boil off electrolyte if left indefinitely.
Or does it monitor current and voltage, adjust voltage, and smart enough to only charge battery at a rate equal to its self-discharge ("float charge").
I think of a "tender" as providing a float charge, and a "trickle charger" not being as advanced....but results and definitions may vary.
:2cents:
I see that different websites, sometimes one says a trickle charger can "float charge", others sites the tender can "float charge"; and it's the other type of charger that doesn't.
I think it comes down to how "smart" the charger is. Does it just put out a "dumb" charging voltage regardless of what the battery is doing (internal resistance, state of charge, etc...), will it boil off electrolyte if left indefinitely.
Or does it monitor current and voltage, adjust voltage, and smart enough to only charge battery at a rate equal to its self-discharge ("float charge").
I think of a "tender" as providing a float charge, and a "trickle charger" not being as advanced....but results and definitions may vary.
:2cents:
RalphVa
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No. A battery tender checks the voltage on what it is charging to avoid overcharging. I've even a battery tender (about $20) between a solar panel and battery for my fence charger.
Ralph
Sawyer Rob
Super Member
MY experience has been, a trickle charger can over charge SOME batts., but a TRUE batt. tender/maintainer (read more expensive) can and will charge a batt. then go into float mode, and switch back and forth to keep it charged.
I buy Batt. Tender brand, 1.25 amp. maintainers, and they have worked perfectly for me. Yes they do cost more...
SR
I buy Batt. Tender brand, 1.25 amp. maintainers, and they have worked perfectly for me. Yes they do cost more...
SR
Grumpycat
Veteran Member
A trickle charger is as dumb as you can get. A transformer, often just one diode/rectifier for 1/2 wave, and nothing else. Counts on the transformer being small and current limited to the point the lead-acid battery could accept that current perpetually to the end of time.
Battery Tender is a brand of smart charger. Commonly has 3 or 4 states it works the battery through. Said to be better for the battery for long term storage than an unregulated trickle charger.
Battery Tender is a brand of smart charger. Commonly has 3 or 4 states it works the battery through. Said to be better for the battery for long term storage than an unregulated trickle charger.
RNeumann
Elite Member
The language can be a bit confusing as a “battery tender” was/is a brand name. You want an automatic or float charger. Those vary the output to maintain a constant voltage on the battery. A “battery tender” brand typically does this.
A “trickle” charger may give the battery the same amps no matter the state of charge. This is older technology that can either slowly over or undercharge a battery. This type should be avoided in this day and age- the other type can be had rather cheaply.
A “trickle” charger may give the battery the same amps no matter the state of charge. This is older technology that can either slowly over or undercharge a battery. This type should be avoided in this day and age- the other type can be had rather cheaply.
Industrial Toys
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When you only have a simple rectifier circuit in any charger, the line voltage now matters as to what that charger is putting out. That thing will put out different voltage if fed 110Volts as opposed to 120 volts. A 12 volt battery is not very forgiving for proper charging voltages. 10% can mean a lot! Like fully charged or boiled!
RoyKing
Platinum Member
Battery tenders vary greatly from $20 to $200. If you have lead/acid or glass Matt a battery minder in the $60 range will maintain up to 4 batteries matched type and compensate for temperature. I like the battery minder 1510, $54 10 year guarantee made in USA.
