Battery tenders
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 215
Likes: 1
Battery tenders
I am looking to buy a battery tender and was wondering what is the favorite of some of you guys and gals. I have a 1984 that I drive 1 or 2 times a week. Please tell me what year Corvette you use a tender on and what brand and model tender you use. Thanks
Advanced
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 95
Likes: 0
From: belmont maine
battery tender
I use the "Battery Tender Plus" model from Deltran, about $60-70. www.batterytender.com. So far appears to be an excellent unit.
Team Owner
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 53,804
Likes: 5,633
From: Plantation Florida USAF(Retired) 1966-1990
U.S. Air Force
St. Jude Donor '05 thru '26
NCM Sinkhole Donor
1989 Corvette, and I use Battery Tender Jr.. I have no problems in the 8 years I have been using one. I also have another one on my generator.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 1,061
Likes: 99
From: Seattle WA
I've got two types - the Deltran Battery Tender Plus ($60) and the Black & Decker ($16 - same as Vector) VEC080BD smart battery maintaner. The Deltran is definitely the nicer unit (BMW sells a rebadged one for $$$) - it's heftier and is spark-shielded.
In the vette, I use the B&D one through the cigarette lighter, and it works great.
Whatever you buy, make sure you get a "smart" charger - one that senses voltage and automatically turns on and off. Others just put out an amp or 2 and assume that's the drawdown rate for the parked vehicle. They never turn off and left hooked up long enough can boil the electrolyte (or worse, but that's unlikely).
In the vette, I use the B&D one through the cigarette lighter, and it works great.
Whatever you buy, make sure you get a "smart" charger - one that senses voltage and automatically turns on and off. Others just put out an amp or 2 and assume that's the drawdown rate for the parked vehicle. They never turn off and left hooked up long enough can boil the electrolyte (or worse, but that's unlikely).
Pro
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 583
Likes: 0
From: Pittsburgh PA
I have used Battery Tender (s) for some time now. I use them on my Harleys and Vette. I have used the hard wire feature for the bikes as it allows for easy hook up. Never had a problem. I check the water levels regularly have not had to repace a battery for years.
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Instructor
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 145
Likes: 0
From: Morristown TN
I use the "Battery Tender Plus" model from Deltran, about $60-70. www.batterytender.com. So far appears to be an excellent unit.
I think I got mine for around $49 off the site we don't talk about, but they have a lot of auctions.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 2,954
Likes: 2
From: Obama=death for America
I will soon be purchasing the CTEK battery tender, charger, maintainer, etc. Don't ask me why, but it's specifically recommended for the Optima Red Top. It will obviously work on all car batteries also, but for some reason, it's made for or works the best on, etc., the Optima Red Top. It's not cheap, but it's the latest technology and received incredible reviews.
http://www.apexperformance.net/cartg...FQYbswodciPeJg
http://www.apexperformance.net/cartg...FQYbswodciPeJg
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 215
Likes: 1
85 500 horse I realy like this
http://www.apexperformance.net/cartg...FQYbswodciPeJg
I think that is what I will go with. I also have a red top Optima. Thanks!
http://www.apexperformance.net/cartg...FQYbswodciPeJg
I think that is what I will go with. I also have a red top Optima. Thanks!
Drifting
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 1,488
Likes: 4
From: Frostburg MD
Have the Battery Tender Plus one, have been using them for several years on both my '89 Vette and my old Cougar, no problems, $35 from here http://www.chaparral-racing.com/Chap...C23371EEDD81F7
(Pick the 12V one
)
(Pick the 12V one
)
Melting Slicks
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 2,954
Likes: 2
From: Obama=death for America
85 500 horse I realy like this
http://www.apexperformance.net/cartg...FQYbswodciPeJg
I think that is what I will go with. I also have a red top Optima. Thanks!
http://www.apexperformance.net/cartg...FQYbswodciPeJg
I think that is what I will go with. I also have a red top Optima. Thanks!
No problem. That's why we're here. We post what we use and you buy what you want.
Le Mans Master
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 7,362
Likes: 2,281
From: Central Maryland
And I terminated it with a cigarette lighter plug, which makes hookup/disconnect about as easy as it could possibly be:
I'm very happy with this unit.
Live well,
SJW