Battery saver

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Jul 30, 2011 | 02:16 AM

#21

ffas23

Melting Slicks

Joined: Jan 2003

Posts: 2,817

Likes: 21

From: Somerset, NJ

Quote:

Originally Posted by vettedude521

My Optima red top went dead after a couple years even after buying a "battery Tender". I found out too late that the gel cel batteries do not charge properly with these battery tenders and they will actually damage them. My newest Optima (about a year old now) is doing fine but I now start the car and let it run for 20+ minutes every 10 days or so. I tossed the battery tender.

I use a 021-0123 Battery Tender Junior on all of my collector cars. I own at least 6 Battery Tenders and they work great. Deltran the manufacturer also recommends their Battery Tenders for the Optima type of Gel Battery and it has been keeping mine up to snuff without any problems this past Winter. Haven't had to use it this Spring or Summer so far. The Tender comes with an extra lead wire that you can leave hooked up to your C5 Battery all the time so all you need to do is just plug the main lead with power plug into the lead already bolted up to the battery and of course another lead comes with the alligator clamps just like a battery charge comes with if you choose to use it that way. The Harbor Freight Battery Tender as someone mentioned above somewhere in a post is not good for use with Gel Type Batteries. This is stated at the Harbor Freight Website if you look up their own version of a battery tender. Not bad for the price for a regular acid charge battery though. Have at least 3 or 4 of them. Use one on my ATV, Lawn Tractor and a Fork Lift I happen to own.

Last edited by ffas23; Jul 30, 2011 at 02:20 AM. Reason: Spelling

Jul 30, 2011 | 05:44 AM

#22

mike5511

Instructor

Joined: Jun 2011

Posts: 227

Likes: 2

From: Arkansas

Been using the one below for a year on the bike. Just bought one here for the car. Best deal I found

http://www.amazon.com/Battery-Tender.../dp/B00068XCQU

Jul 30, 2011 | 12:53 PM

#23

99 VET

Burning Brakes

Joined: Mar 2009

Posts: 1,028

Likes: 33

From: GRAYSLAKE IL

Oldtimer

St. Jude Donor '13

The CTEK 3300 has a mode for gel type batterys which I have been using on my Optima Red Top for serveral yrs now. I agree w/Mr Bill that going cheap is not worth the risk imo.

Jul 30, 2011 | 01:05 PM

#24

Mr. Jean

Safety Car

Joined: Dec 2006

Posts: 3,623

Likes: 316

From: Sparks, Nevada

Quote:

Originally Posted by 99 VET

The CTEK 3300 has a mode for gel type batterys which I have been using on my Optima Red Top for serveral yrs now. I agree w/Mr Bill that going cheap is not worth the risk imo.

Yup, use the CTEK 3300 on both of my toys and never had a battery problem. Have a Redtop in the vette for almost 5 years now.