Battery Tenders..hmm

[Industrial Toys]

Some people are said not to be able to wear a watch.

Maybe you can't own a tender. Nothing else I can think of makes any sense.


If a cheap chinese maintainer keeps a battery in good shape, ready for service, why spend more? If an expensive one has more than paid for itself, then a cheap one would REALLY have paid for itself. I have found that one can pay for a name, that has no quality at all. Like Schumaker (sp?). Then I would sooner take my chance with the Chinesium (no brand) stuff.

 

[RalphVa]

I bought a cheap one at an estate sale. Doesn't tell you anything other than a red light when it is connected to a battery. It works. Just yesterday, I had to replace the battery on our gate. Took the one off this cheap/tell nothing tender out there. Showed 13.4 volts vs. only 11.9 on the one that needed swapping out. Took it out and put it on the cheap charger.

For years, all I'd used were Battery Tender ones. Finally, the very old one on the generator went out. The place that had been carrying them now carries a Chinese brand (for $30). I like it. You can see it working at times. It'll show red that the battery was allowed to go down some and then back green.

Ralph

 

[oosik]

I have four battery "tenders". Two Deltran, one CTEK & a specialized one for my BMW motorcycle. They all work fine. I've had the Deltrans & CTEK for MANY years.

 

[deserteagle71]

I use the BatteryMinder maintainer with desulfator. Cost was just over $125. It does a lot more than just tend to the battery charge. It's restored several batteries that I thought were shot. And using it regularly makes the batteries last longer in seldom-used machines. Cost a bundle, but has more than paid for itself.

I'm an old mechanic and not one to rave, and also have half a dozen other battery chargers including Snap-on's wheel around. The BatteryMinder beats them all and not be a little, by a lot.

I have several of these, all BatteryMinder brand. Love them. Hook them up to any of my rigs that aren't used regularly. My batteries last for years now compared to what it used to be like.

 

[rScotty]

I have several of these, all BatteryMinder brand. Love them. Hook them up to any of my rigs that aren't used regularly. My batteries last for years now compared to what it used to be like.

That's my experience too. I have a shelf full of chargers & trickle chargers - all adjustable for output and I thought that was the end of the story. Then I got the BatteryMinder .... it replaces them all as well as making the batteries last noticibly longer. It's just a better tool.

 

[PILOON]

OK, I have an 'intelligent' tender presently hooked to my generator battery for some 6 years.
No matter how cold it always starts so it has proved itself, INHO.
I originally used a cheep ($+/- 10.00) unit that once opened I found a simple diode and cheap transformer and that over short time scrapped the battery.

 

[MinnesotaEric]

Just for kicks I thought I would test some tenders..I have two Deltrans one JR one 1.25 amp, Two Black&Deckers and one old Sears maintainer. I fans in 12v outlets turned lights on..ect..alll had some drain. After couple of hours not one of the tenders came on, the old Sears maintainer did and went off couple times....I checked voltage on the batteries that the tenders didn't come on..they ran 10.40- 11.10. I'm not sure when they are suppose to come on but I thought they would at 10.40v for sure??

I have two dumb battery chargers because the smart chargers cannot sense a stone-dead battery. That said, hands down, the best battery tenders I have are from the OptiMATE Series. OptiMATE chargers are pretty much recommended by every OEM and several high-end OEMs include them in their cars and motorcycles. With piles of boat, auto, and equipment batteries, I've really liked The OptiMATE series charges since I discovered them about 15 years ago.

 

[5030]

I have two dumb battery chargers because the smart chargers cannot sense a stone-dead battery. That said, hands down, the best battery tenders I have are from the OptiMATE Series. OptiMATE chargers are pretty much recommended by every OEM and several high-end OEMs include them in their cars and motorcycles. With piles of boat, auto, and equipment batteries, I've really liked The OptiMATE series charges since I discovered them about 15 years ago.

All well and good for those with deep pockets. For others, not so much.

 

[WranglerX]

All well and good for those with deep pockets. For others, not so much.

That is at least 3 replacement batteries for with my lawn tractor or generator....

https://www.oreillyauto.com/detail/...-battery/u1l/4742392/2002/jeep/wrangler?pos=3

Dale

 

[5030]

Like I stated earlier, I use Yuhasa maintainers exclusively and always have. I have one on my RV batteries and it sits all winter with minimal electrolyte loss. Same with all 4 of my motorcycles, my gas driven welder and both my farm tractors. No issue with any but I do replace my batteries (flooded cell) every 5 years no matter what. Flooded cell batteries, no matter what brand, have a finite life.