Battery Tender

[RNeumann]

I've been reading about a magnetic plug that has not quite hit the market. It is said to prevent the "Drive of shame" if you forget to unplug it.

 

[tmcj]

I have used Battery Tender, Tender Jr, and a Schumacher tender on my summer vehicles over many winters and they work great. My lawn mower battery, which would otherwise be stored outside, I just pull it out and hook it up on a bench in the heated garage. Where I want a neat and easy hookup I have just used the pigtail attached to the battery and tucked it out of sight when not in use. I like seeing where you guys have taken the time to install a more permanent connection and did a nice job with it, not just having a pigtail hanging somewhere. Nice job guys! And it's good to see the thoughts behind connector locations and things to consider before installing. :thumbsup:

The only thing I would add in case some don't know....You can get a 12v accessory socket with a pigtail connection that connects to the pigtail on the battery. I used this on my motorcycle for plugging in my GPS on long rides. If you wanted a 12v plug for any accessory on your tractor it makes an easy plug and play set up that can be permanently installed and connected/disconnected as needed, or added or removed as needed. They are pretty cheap and are pretty handy to have sometimes.

 

[emcvay]

After having my battery die this winter (first time in 6 years or so) I bought a solar battery charger that I plan to install on my porch roof and have hooked to the tractor in the winter so the battery stays maintained. I'll let you all know how it goes once it arrives and I get it installed (and get the tractor running again)

 

[dickfoster]

After having my battery die this winter (first time in 6 years or so) I bought a solar battery charger that I plan to install on my porch roof and have hooked to the tractor in the winter so the battery stays maintained. I'll let you all know how it goes once it arrives and I get it installed (and get the tractor running again)

If you're putting a solar panel on the porch roof, isn't there a 110 socket close by that you could use for a plug in?

 

[Petrol and Powder]

I've used solar battery chargers and they are very handy for equipment that sits a lot, particularly equipment that is not near a mains power source. However, the big drawback is most of them are nothing more than a small panel with a diode in-line. They are unregulated trickle chargers and in some rare applications they could over charge a battery. Most of the ones I've seen are small enough that they trickle charge at a very low rate during full sunlight and the night time hours & cloudy days compensate for the unregulated charging cycles.
I would feel better about them if they had some type of regulator built in.

If you have a car or truck parked in a remote location (like say an airport, train station or marina lot) for days on end and need that battery to be at 100%, they make a lot of sense.

 

[RalphVa]

I have a battery tender on my Isuzu diesel generator all the time. Need it, because there are 2 LED boards powered by the battery when the generator is off. Tried a solar powered one. Not enough. Gotta have an outdoor rated one, too. An indoor rated one protected by the GFI cover eventually quit.

I have an indoor one that I occasionally put on batteries on vehicles not used much, like my Toyota Turd truck and sometimes my tractor if I haven't used it much.

Can put a regular trickle charger on vehicles, but you need one of those multiple-time-on timers between it and the plug. I've a little battery I keep in reserve on this system. Used 2 regular timers set for about 30 minutes each in series (before these multiple-time-on things were invented) to keep a battery up in our NJ basement while we were in Singapore for 9 months. Worked.

 

[emcvay]

If you're putting a solar panel on the porch roof, isn't there a 110 socket close by that you could use for a plug in?

Nope It's all off-grid

 

[emcvay]

MicroSolar - 10W Solar Panel Charging Kit for 12v Battery /// Plug & Play /// Solar Charge Contoller Included - Braket Included - 18 Feet Waterproof Wire - Optional 16.4 Feet Extension Wire - Cigarette Plug with Fuse - Alligator Clips with Fuse ----- Car & Boat Battery Maintainer

That's the one I bought from Amazon. Was $40.

Figured since it has a controller it should work well. We shall see

 

[Snowback]

That's the one I bought from Amazon. Was $40.

Figured since it has a controller it should work well. We shall see

This unit is working great for me so far! I think you'll enjoy it. I did add the Battery Tender permanent plug to the battery terminals, and picked up the adapter to use with the provided lighter plug/controller. Quick and easy plug and play.

Here is a link: http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/...y-maintainer-good-bad-ugly-3.html#post4643097

 

[jel1988]

I have 5 vehicles, 2 tractors when I put everything to bed for the winter I remove the batteries set them on a piece of wood on the basement floor. In the spring (4 or 5 months later) I clean all the connections and reinstall and they all start right up. It may be a PITA but I never have a failed start during the season because of a dirty connection!

 

[dragoneggs]

I have 5 vehicles, 2 tractors when I put everything to bed for the winter I remove the batteries set them on a piece of wood on the basement floor. In the spring (4 or 5 months later) I clean all the connections and reinstall and they all start right up. It may be a PITA but I never have a failed start during the season because of a dirty connection!

Yep PITA. Love having a quick plug in Battery Tender on most everything. Even the every day vehicles on the coldest days. No scientific data but my batteries all seem to enjoy the care and 'tendering'

 

[dickfoster]

Yep PITA. Love having a quick plug in Battery Tender on most everything. Even the every day vehicles on the coldest days. No scientific data but my batteries all seem to enjoy the care and 'tendering'

Batteries are just like anything else, good care and maintenance will usually reap rewards in longer life and better service.