Battery Tender

[Stevie-Ray]

Anybody use a Battery Tender? I can see I can get one for about 47 bucks or so. I wouldn't mind having one for my seldom driven truck to just leave on, and I can see it being a good idea for the tractor also, though taking the damn battery out for the winter would have probably been best. I'll likely be getting an ATV this year also. All I have now for a charger is a cheap one from Harbor Freight, but it's been great for years. Anybody out there use a Tender? Recommend them? Better idea?

 

[Rivets]

Have over a dozen friends who store their cars over the winter who use them. Never heard a bad word about them. Also have a few customers who use them on their seldom used tractors over year round. If you have a receptacle available, I would recommend them.

 

[stuckinnj]

Battery Float Chargers will save you big money in the long run. Using one throughout your storage period will prolong the battery life. I use them on all my 'toys', JD 4310, 2 Harley's, 1 Buell, Toro 52" Walk behind, Cub 1450, ATV, RTV and generator. My 06 Road King which I purchased new is still on the original battery, 7 yrs and 35k miles later. The Cub was replaced 5 yrs ago. I load tested it last week and it's still good. The key is to use only a 'Float' Charger type. A trickle charger will cook your battery. Float Chargers are designed to maintain the battery not charge it to death.

There are many brands out there. TSC sells one under their house brand. Battery Tender and Solar are 2 of the strongest in the Powersport Market. They range anywhere from $19.95 to $65.00. Just keep in mind, you get what you pay for.

Just my opinion, but my batteries have all lasted over 6 yrs before they show any signs of weakness.

 

[wjjones]

Yep trickle chargers are dangerous if you forget to check on them.

 

[possum]

I have never heard of a charger or any electrical item that was not dangerous to some extent. The Buddy tenders are supposed to have enough safety switches or fuses built into them to prevent a fire or boil over but so are all chargers I have used. That being said I have seen the aftermath of several fires over the years from chargers. My father inlaws garage burned twice in his lifetime both times from a charger. The fire chief here says to check on the tender often, set it on something metal, not on the engine, use a surge protector, do not cross the cables, do not let the cables set on wood or anything that can burn, make sure your insurance is paid. On the other hand I know many folks who have one or several and use them almost all year on cars, lawn mowers, tractors, boats, and no problems. I know a guy who left his on for a couple years according to him while he was deployed. No problem. But then I have never had a problem with a charger either.

 

[Stevie-Ray]

Thanks, guys, Battery Tender it is, likely next month. Think I'll feel a lot better with this.

 

[wjjones]

I have never heard of a charger or any electrical item that was not dangerous to some extent. The Buddy tenders are supposed to have enough safety switches or fuses built into them to prevent a fire or boil over but so are all chargers I have used. That being said I have seen the aftermath of several fires over the years from chargers. My father inlaws garage burned twice in his lifetime both times from a charger. The fire chief here says to check on the tender often, set it on something metal, not on the engine, use a surge protector, do not cross the cables, do not let the cables set on wood or anything that can burn, make sure your insurance is paid. On the other hand I know many folks who have one or several and use them almost all year on cars, lawn mowers, tractors, boats, and no problems. I know a guy who left his on for a couple years according to him while he was deployed. No problem. But then I have never had a problem with a charger either.

Yep that picture is what is left of my dads garage, and truck when the charger failed to kick off.

 

[X-man]

Yep that picture is what is left of my dads garage, and truck when the charger failed to kick off.

If I were to guess, that truck was a mid-90's Ford F-150.

I use a battery maintainer that I bought from Walmart. It's microprocessor controlled so it's supposed to shut off when it needs to. Never had any problems with it.

 

[wjjones]

If I were to guess, that truck was a mid-90's Ford F-150.

I use a battery maintainer that I bought from Walmart. It's microprocessor controlled so it's supposed to shut off when it needs to. Never had any problems with it.

Dont know what type but he got the charger from walmart too. He is getting old, and forgot to go check on it so that might have played into the factor as well. Your correct it was a 1994 Ford f-150, and a 24x24 2 car garage.

 

[Stevie-Ray]

Well, I'm not going to simply leave it on at all times, either. Don't really trust any electric/electronic device to be 100% safe, even my refrigerators are suspect and worry me a bit when leaving the house for extended periods, and for good reason, but you sooner or later have to just play the odds. Seems a tender has a bit more safety built in than a simple charger, and suits my purposes a bit better.