Do I need a battery tender?
Thread Starter
Race Director
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 10,223
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Do I need a battery tender?
I have a 2000 with under 40k on it. I drive it only once ever 10-14 days (I have a work car and the wife has an SUV when we go out as a family). I have an Optima redtop, maybe 2 years old.
The car always starts, but could I benefit from a battery tender?
If so, what model do you have? Thanks.
The car always starts, but could I benefit from a battery tender?
If so, what model do you have? Thanks.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 5,933
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From: The Beautiful Inland Empire WA.
I have a red top too, and I can tell you this. Every time I drive it and put it away, I hook up the battery tender, and the light shows "charging". I think that they are a good deal (and a good deal cheaper than a new battery).
I would highly recommend one if you only drive your car every two weeks or so. You will notice that the car spins over faster, I'll bet.
I would highly recommend one if you only drive your car every two weeks or so. You will notice that the car spins over faster, I'll bet.
Pro
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 710
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From: Fremont (Livin' On The Fault Line!) CA
I have a red top too, and I can tell you this. Every time I drive it and put it away, I hook up the battery tender, and the light shows "charging". I think that they are a good deal (and a good deal cheaper than a new battery).
I would highly recommend one if you only drive your car every two weeks or so. You will notice that the car spins over faster, I'll bet.
I would highly recommend one if you only drive your car every two weeks or so. You will notice that the car spins over faster, I'll bet.
I use the Battery Tender Plus for my Optima Redtop 
Larry
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2001
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From: Worden Illinois
I have a red top too, and I can tell you this. Every time I drive it and put it away, I hook up the battery tender, and the light shows "charging". I think that they are a good deal (and a good deal cheaper than a new battery).
I would highly recommend one if you only drive your car every two weeks or so. You will notice that the car spins over faster, I'll bet.
I would highly recommend one if you only drive your car every two weeks or so. You will notice that the car spins over faster, I'll bet.
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I keep a battery tender hooked to my Optima Red Top whenever I am not driving it. For $60, its a good peace of mind for me.
Le Mans Master
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From: Southern New Jersey, The wet part at the bottom
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My "occasional driver" lives on a float charger when ever it's in the garage Winter or Summer. I think this not only lengthens battery life but is better for the cars electronics.
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Le Mans Master
Joined: Jun 2006
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From: Wichita KS
You can but its more pain to hook it up when you want to drive it again, I am overseas right now and my battery tender will/is hooked up for 2 months with all cables connected! It wont hurt the car leaving the batt cables connected, I would get one, I got my Battery Tender Plus off Ebay for under $50 shipped
Tech Contributor
Joined: Dec 2003
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From: Horncastle Lincolnshire, England
2023 C5 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
If you do buy a battery tender you can guarantee that the Red Top will go on for a long time. These batteries don't like being discharged. For anything other than a DD I'd say definitely Yes.
Can't help on the model as I have an Accumate that runs off 240V
Can't help on the model as I have an Accumate that runs off 240V
Tech Contributor
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From: Horncastle Lincolnshire, England
2023 C5 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
It takes 2 seconds each terminal and then you've isolated the car from the charger.
Burning Brakes
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From: Foresters Falls(near Ottawa) Ont
RonJ ...
Le Mans Master
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