Battery Tender / Trickle Charger HELP !

[mcarp6]

Hey Guys I have a quick question about buying a new trickle charger / battery tender. I know there are some good ones and some bad ones. I was hoping to find someone who has a good one they can recommend. I checked a few out, but I read reviews and they were mixed just like all products are. I'm looking for something that will cut the charge off at full capacity and I don't have to moniter it since it will be in the garage.


Anyone have suggestions please fill me in , Thanks !

 

[Seadoobuddy]

I think a lot of people recommend "Battery Tender" brand. I've seen 2 sizes. .75 and 1.25 I think.
Some use the "Optima" (could be misspelled) but this a lot more expensive but does more things I believe.

I'm looking for one also, so I'll be watching this thread.

 

[Dr Honda]

I've had a bunch of brands over the years... and the only one I can trust is an actual "Battery Tender". I've had other brands boil out the batteries, or false peak. AND... I actually had one that just didn't maintain. (Found the battery flat after it was on it for a couple weeks)

 

[griz400]

here is what i have been using for 2 years -- no problem at all, read 255 reviews of people -- and is on sale now -- http://www.walmart.com/ip/13005742?...86569230&wl4=&wl5=pla&veh=sem#Product+Reviews

 

[mcarp6]

I'm going to check out the Battery Tender Brand out. I narrowed it down to a few, however I need to check battery tender.

The Kmart near me is going out of business and all battery's and tenders/chargers are 35% off. There is a Die Hard trickle charger there for 30 with the discount, makes me wonder though !!

The second is the one I seem above from Walmart, I use my scan life add and checked prices from all over. Reviews look good, but it is crucial that I could leave it alone without checking on it.

 

[Carguy89]

Have a battery tender that stays in the Camaro's lighter plug year round, and a smaller one that I use to clip directly to the batteries of the skis every spring to trickle charge them.

 

[camelpak]

I have currently have 5 "Battery Tender" brand tenders that I own persanally & 2 that I use proffesionally. Been using the for years. I prefer the battery tender plus model for the 1.25amp capacity for personal use (allows more functional use w/ capacity to charge larger batteries fast for a minimal amount of extra money during purchase.

And Deltran (company that makes them is great); had a problem with the 5 bank tender I use proffesionally. We got a leak in the roof at work & it got wet & fried. Called Deltran, shipped it to them and they gutted it, completely rebuilt it, and shipped it back to me for $100 instead of the $450 it would have cost for a new one. And this charger was 7 yrs old when this happened.

 

[Seadoobuddy]

I have currently have 5 "Battery Tender" brand tenders that I own persanally & 2 that I use proffesionally. Been using the for years. I prefer the battery tender plus model for the 1.25amp capacity for personal use (allows more functional use w/ capacity to charge larger batteries fast for a minimal amount of extra money during purchase.

And Deltran (company that makes them is great); had a problem with the 5 bank tender I use proffesionally. We got a leak in the roof at work & it got wet & fried. Called Deltran, shipped it to them and they gutted it, completely rebuilt it, and shipped it back to me for $100 instead of the $450 it would have cost for a new one. And this charger was 7 yrs old when this happened.

WOW, the one you got rebuilt MUST be different than the one I saw at Sears for $69.99 for the 1.25 size. Your charger must be huge!!!

 

[camelpak]

Yes, the one I got rebuilt is a 5 bank charger that puts out 1.5 amp per bank. The other plus to the 5 bank is you can double up leads - so I can run 2 to all 5 leads to a battery if I need to charge it fast within reason of course (you can't run all 5 leads to a small motorcycle battery without cooking it & ruinning it. But it's nice to be able to charge a 12AH battery from brand new to full charge in less than 2 hrs. lol

 

[mcarp6]

Just decided on buying a Battery Tender Plus, got it on my Amazon Prime account for $40 shipped.

 

[dgd]

I use the Optimate 4 but you will have to disconnect your battery or install a battery isolator switch to avoid possible damage to your electronics.

http://www.tecmate.com/u_optimate_4_dual.php

 

[Rick100]

here is what i have been using for 2 years -- no problem at all, read 255 reviews of people -- and is on sale now -- http://www.walmart.com/ip/13005742?...86569230&wl4=&wl5=pla&veh=sem#Product+Reviews

I've used 3 of these maintainers for several years now without a problem. But the truth is I think you can use any charger or maintainer as long as it states that it is FULLY AUTOMATIC. I put all my wall wort chargers and maintainers for the drills, other battery tools and several larger batteries on a timer and that saves the ni cads that never shut off. I added up all the wall wort's and chargers I use and was shocked at the amount of currant they draw even when not charging but just plugged in. A simple voltage test on a battery will tell you if you are overcharging a good battery or maintaining it correctly.