Battery Tender Plus Died (Not a complaint!)
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 5,037
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From: Rotonda West, FL 2015 Z51 M7 3LT
Oldtimer
Battery Tender Plus Died (Not a complaint!)
Just a heads up for folks. Between the Vette, mowers, trailers, etc... I ended up with 5 BTP's. I've used them for a LONG time and swear by 'em.
Just recently hooked one up to my mower 12V battery. Light sequence was normal. Started with solid red, then red w/flashing green indicating it had reached 90%. Then later it went to both red and green lights on solid. Unplugged it, made sure the rings had good contact with the terminals and tried again - same scenario.
After searching for quite a while to find out what the "BOTH ON" condition meant, I called the mfg. Very nice and helpful and said that the unit was toast and immediately asked how old it was and if it was still on warranty. I just laughed and told her no. No harm, I just hooked up one of the others and now the battery is at full charge and in float mode.
Just thought I'd pass on the info of what both lights on solid meant.
I STILL love 'em and will continue to use them on all of my 12V batteries.
Just recently hooked one up to my mower 12V battery. Light sequence was normal. Started with solid red, then red w/flashing green indicating it had reached 90%. Then later it went to both red and green lights on solid. Unplugged it, made sure the rings had good contact with the terminals and tried again - same scenario.
After searching for quite a while to find out what the "BOTH ON" condition meant, I called the mfg. Very nice and helpful and said that the unit was toast and immediately asked how old it was and if it was still on warranty. I just laughed and told her no. No harm, I just hooked up one of the others and now the battery is at full charge and in float mode.
Just thought I'd pass on the info of what both lights on solid meant.
I STILL love 'em and will continue to use them on all of my 12V batteries.
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 5,037
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From: Rotonda West, FL 2015 Z51 M7 3LT
Oldtimer
Thanks TOPCATHR, but I'll stay with the BTP units. I've used them for a LONG time and they've never harmed any battery and never let one go to a premature death.
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 23,283
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From: Lake Elsinore, CA
I have two BTP's now - just got a second one after almost 13 years using my first almost continuously. I had both a CTEK 7002 and a Schumacher go south on me - the Schumacher 6V/12V selector switch was crap. I disassembled it and fixed it. The CTEK quit working properly after only a couple of years - it's back at the manufacturer's being exchanged for a new one since it was still under warranty.
BTP's look kinda' cheap when you put them side-by-side with other brands but mine has never failed me which is why I bought a second. Now, both my Vettes are on BTP's with no problems.
BTP's look kinda' cheap when you put them side-by-side with other brands but mine has never failed me which is why I bought a second. Now, both my Vettes are on BTP's with no problems.
Drifting
Joined: Feb 2010
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From: Dunedin Florida
I have had 2 Battery Tenders go toes up within a month of purchase and all I had them on was my motorcycle. My personal opinion based on experience is they are steaming piles of crap. I know others have had great experiences with them so that just means their quality assurance is very very poor. I expect a product to be consistent, not a hit or miss.
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I've had my Battery Tender Plus for at least 7 years now - not one problem. They are a well made product.
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jun 2002
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From: Rotonda West, FL 2015 Z51 M7 3LT
Oldtimer
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Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 5,037
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From: Rotonda West, FL 2015 Z51 M7 3LT
Oldtimer
oh, agreed. I've just always used the Plus's and this is the first issue I've ever had. I'd guess I've used them for 20+ years on everything from motorcycles, to mowers, to cars, to huge deepcycles for our travel trailer.
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Joined: May 2003
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From: Iowa
St. Jude Donor '03 thru '26
I've owned 3 of them many many years. I've found them to be very reliable and pretty much have one in use at all times. I did however have one did fry on me though. It was hooked up to a battery that went bad.
Drifting
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 1,900
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From: Nixa Missouri
Thanks for the tip. I have a BTP and love it. I feel I need to get one more to keep all the toys charged up. I also see they have a 25ft extension that I know will come in handy. 
Advanced
Joined: Aug 2005
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I think they're great.
At one point, I had 4 motorcycles and the Vette. So, one day one of my buddies was over and said "I think you sleep hooked up to a BT." We both had a good laugh over that one.
I also have one of their weatherproof models for when the garage is crowded and I just run the extension cord under the garage door.
I've never had a problem with them, so I'm a believer!
At one point, I had 4 motorcycles and the Vette. So, one day one of my buddies was over and said "I think you sleep hooked up to a BT." We both had a good laugh over that one.
I also have one of their weatherproof models for when the garage is crowded and I just run the extension cord under the garage door.
I've never had a problem with them, so I'm a believer!
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Joined: Jun 2010
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From: CA
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 5,037
Likes: 847
From: Rotonda West, FL 2015 Z51 M7 3LT
Oldtimer
Never messed around with Jrs, only the Plus. From the replies regarding both throughout this thread it sounds like the Plus is *the* way to go.