Automating multiple battery tenders - how often to turn them on/off?

[Willman]

This is what I do also, timers set for about 5 hours per day, works fine for me and five batteries

 

[CalG]

I rotate a battery tender across 5 batteries removed from the vehicles and on a shelf out in the barn about once a month. about 4 hours each brings them all back up to full.
All seem good to go each spring.
Batteries in the winter work tractors get (three of them) Get the same treatment, or when a storm is brewing, I get a tender on every battery that I feel will be needed when the snow removal needs done.

I've got some batteries well over 12 years installed. It seems like the motor bike batteries are the short lived ones. (Yuasa) But they are small...

 

[Bearsixty7]

What's your battery life. If I double mine it is 20 years. If I don't get 10 I start looking for issues.

You're the luckiest one I know of then! Most batteries only last 3-5 years, now I usually get 6-10 years. This is across all kinds and brands of batteries, F350, JK, Fusion, TJ, Boat, ZT, multiple ATV's.
I will say the original factory Yamaha ATV Batteries have the longest life, often reaching 10 years.
I will have had the LS 5 years in June and still on it's original battery.

 

[Bearsixty7]

...I've got some batteries well over 12 years installed. It seems like the motor bike batteries are the short lived ones. (Yuasa) But they are small...

I think that's the brand in the Yamaha's and they seemed to have the longest life in my fleet. Maybe it's because our ATV's aren't used daily or even every week, which is also why keep them on tenders. When I do want or need to use something, they fire right up 99% of the time.

 

[MTGreen]

I run a 4 bank Batter Tender which I'm very pleased with -Same size as one of the older tenders and only one cord to plug into the wall. Keeps 4 batteries maintained and I switch them around occasionally if I have more than 4 batteries that need tending:

4-Bank, 1.25 AMP 12V Battery Charger

Four chargers, one product! This Battery Tender® 4-bank charger is designed to charge and maintain up to four batteries simultaneously at 1.25 AMPs. Like all of our chargers, this 4-bank switches to float mode once your vehicle is fully charged to prevent overcharging. 4 CHARGING STATIONS...

www.batterytender.com

They have 5 bank and 10 bank units as well but the price starts going through the roof quickly

 

[bmaverick]

I've used both for a few winters already, no problems with either of them.

This one senses if the battery needs to be topped off and will stop the charge when the battery is full.
$20

1.5 Amp, 6/12V On-Board Battery Maintainer

Amazing deals on this 1.5A 6/12V On-Board Maintainer at Harbor Freight. Quality tools & low prices.

www.harborfreight.com

This one is on a timer for 30mins in the AM and 30mins pm. That's it. Nothing special. I start the season off with the battery fully charged.
$10

12V Automatic Battery Maintainer

Amazing deals on this 12V Automatic Battery Maintainer at Harbor Freight. Quality tools & low prices.

www.harborfreight.com

 

[LHF2019]

You're the luckiest one I know of then! Most batteries only last 3-5 years, now I usually get 6-10 years. This is across all kinds and brands of batteries, F350, JK, Fusion, TJ, Boat, ZT, multiple ATV's.
I will say the original factory Yamaha ATV Batteries have the longest life, often reaching 10 years.
I will have had the LS 5 years in June and still on it's original battery.

I got 10 out of OEM NH battery. It was an oddball and spent the money to buy another one($350) and hope for another 10. Just did batteries on my uncles tractor and they were 8 years. I put commercial NAPA in everything. He said what he paid for the 2 napa's was what he paid for the Strongbox 8 years ago. Every used tractor I have purchased always seem to need new cables. Cables are part of the maintenance of having good batteries and don't understand why people don't take the time to keep them clean from day 1 or replace when corroded. Just my 2 cents.

 

[pmsmechanic]

I have several battery maintainers and none of them are left on full time since I had one go bad and ruin a battery. I put all of mine on cheap timers years ago, I don't care what time they come on only that they run daily, each set to come on for 30 minutes a day. No need to have them powered full time, IMO just a waste of electricity, even if it is a small amount.

The timers probably use the same amount of electricity as the battery maintainer.

 

[BigBlue1]

You're the luckiest one I know of then! Most batteries only last 3-5 years, now I usually get 6-10 years. This is across all kinds and brands of batteries, F350, JK, Fusion, TJ, Boat, ZT, multiple ATV's.
I will say the original factory Yamaha ATV Batteries have the longest life, often reaching 10 years.
I will have had the LS 5 years in June and still on it's original battery.

I'm thinking your Texas heat must take a big toll. If I had a battery that lived less than 5 years I would be shocked. Most automotive or tractor size batteries last me 7-8 years. I've had even better life with motorcycle batteries, which matches your situation.

 

[not2old]

I have lots of batteries and several tenders of what I perceive to be different quality. I will occasionally hook up each battery for a few days. I've been thinking about getting more good quality tenders and keeping each battery hooked up but only plugged in occasionally. Anyone know if it's OK to leave them attached to the battery without power to the tender?

 

[Bearsixty7]

I'm thinking your Texas heat must take a big toll. If I had a battery that lived less than 5 years I would be shocked. Most automotive or tractor size batteries last me 7-8 years. I've had even better life with motorcycle batteries, which matches your situation.

Maybe but why would using battery tenders/minders help them last longer in this heat?

As for lifespan, Most automotive batteries around here have 12, 24 or 36 month warranties, why? because that's all the manufacturers' expects them to live.
Used to see 48 month but very rare down here the last few years.

 

[lhfarm]

Thanks for all the replies. I'm going to do some more research on what the cost savings might be for completely powering off the units. For now, I'll keep them plugged in.

Barry

 

[BigBlue1]

Maybe but why would using battery tenders/minders help them last longer in this heat?

As for lifespan, Most automotive batteries around here have 12, 24 or 36 month warranties, why? because that's all the manufacturers' expects them to live.
Used to see 48 month but very rare down here the last few years.

Two different topics. I was speculating as to why your batteries died so fast and comparing to my experience and expectation of much longer battery life here in MN. I suspect battery tenders lead to longer battery life wherever you are, though probably more help in climates with cold winters. But any battery that isn't regularly used would benefit from a tender.

 

[MTGreen]

When I lived in the Arizona desert I was lucky to get 3 years out of any lead-acid battery.
Heat kills

 

[pmsmechanic]

When I lived in the Arizona desert I was lucky to get 3 years out of any lead-acid battery.
Heat kills

I've noticed that too. I can usually get at least 10 years or more out of a conventional lead/acid battery.

 

[Sawyer Rob]

All I can tell you is, my batteries have been lasting longer since I started using tenders on them, I leave them on all the time.

Also, I will NOT buy a cheapo or no brand tender.

SR

 

[Duds13]

I'm a fan of the Hulkman products and have their Sigma 5 and Sigma 1 maintainers. Pretty happy with them