Notices
C5 General General C5 Corvette and C5 Z06 Discussion not covered in Tech
Sponsored by:
Sponsored by:

Battery Tender Jr

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old 02-20-2019, 12:43 PM
  #1  
msgvert
Instructor
Thread Starter
 
msgvert's Avatar
 
Member Since: Dec 2004
Location: Raleigh NC
Posts: 153
Likes: 0
Received 1 Like on 1 Post

Default Battery Tender Jr

I’ve been using it for years and no problems. Now it flashes red/green when connected to battery. Tried on two different cars so ruled out battery. Contacted company but no effective solutions. Any ideas are appreciated.
Old 02-20-2019, 12:47 PM
  #2  
grantv
Le Mans Master
 
grantv's Avatar
 
Member Since: Sep 2014
Location: Kelowna BC
Posts: 5,280
Received 535 Likes on 491 Posts
Default

How sure are you that the other battery is 100%?
Flashing red/green means the battery needs charging vs. a tender. Have your battery load tested.
Old 02-20-2019, 12:53 PM
  #3  
Evil-Twin
Team Owner

 
Evil-Twin's Avatar
 
Member Since: Mar 2001
Location: small town in S.E Pa. PA
Posts: 21,325
Received 3,812 Likes on 1,925 Posts
St. Jude Donor '03-'04

Default

Originally Posted by msgvert
I’ve been using it for years and no problems. Now it flashes red/green when connected to battery. Tried on two different cars so ruled out battery. Contacted company but no effective solutions. Any ideas are appreciated.
IN an effort to help you, I need some clarification.
when you say you tried it on two different cars, and ruled out the battery. Are you saying that the tender, displayed the same flashing re/green lights?

You said the manufacturer offered no solution. ???? there is no reference in the instructions for a red/green display, yet the tender is capable of displaying this?
If there is no reference in the manual, and the manufacturer is clueless. I would say the tender is toast. A malfunction in the circuit board.. with such poor customer service response I would suggest not buying another product from this manufacturer.. I would suggest a CTEK if you want another tender.
Bill aka ET
I would not hook this up again to your Corvette or any other car.
Old 02-20-2019, 01:59 PM
  #4  
grantv
Le Mans Master
 
grantv's Avatar
 
Member Since: Sep 2014
Location: Kelowna BC
Posts: 5,280
Received 535 Likes on 491 Posts
Default

ET, flashing red/green means the battery needs charging, pretty sure. Think the OP means the manufacturer can't offer a solution if both batteries are proven properly charged.
Old 02-20-2019, 02:15 PM
  #5  
grantv
Le Mans Master
 
grantv's Avatar
 
Member Since: Sep 2014
Location: Kelowna BC
Posts: 5,280
Received 535 Likes on 491 Posts
Default

P.S. From what I've read a Battery Tender Jr is better suited to smaller batteries, the Tender Plus is best suited for a HD battery. But either one should not be used to charge a dead battery. I know of the blinking red/green from experience. Had my AGM battery professionally charged by Interstate as I do not have an AGM suitable charger (do not use a standard charger on an AGM battery).
Old 02-20-2019, 02:18 PM
  #6  
Evil-Twin
Team Owner

 
Evil-Twin's Avatar
 
Member Since: Mar 2001
Location: small town in S.E Pa. PA
Posts: 21,325
Received 3,812 Likes on 1,925 Posts
St. Jude Donor '03-'04

Default

Originally Posted by grantv
ET, flashing red/green means the battery needs charging, pretty sure. Think the OP means the manufacturer can't offer a solution if both batteries are proven properly charged.
he said he tried it on two additional battery meaning all three. If the manual, and the manufacture did not say specifically that the red/green indicates a bad battery, I would have to believe the tender is bad. Another clue to the tender being bad is that fact that the OP said he used it for years.... years can turn into decades. I have a schumauker charger that is 40 years old and still work properly. ON another note I recently had a carbon monoxide detector show the presence of carbon monoxide. I called 911, they sent the fire department with a carbon monoxide tester.. it showed no problems they checked the whole house.. They said that my tester was probably bad. it was a Kiddie tester.. It was 20 years old.. they said these old testers should be replaced every 5 years, the new ones last 10 years. Pont being things that are electrical and are used for years do not have todays technology or longevity.
Bill aka ET
Old 02-20-2019, 02:18 PM
  #7  
c4cruiser
Team Owner

 
c4cruiser's Avatar
 
Member Since: Dec 1999
Location: Lacey WA RVN 68-69
Posts: 34,873
Received 476 Likes on 423 Posts
NCM Sinkhole Donor

Default

A couple months ago I noticed the same thing with my BT Jr. The indicator light did show the proper color; red when I hooked it up to my C5 and shortly afterwards it would turn green and stay that way.

The flashing red/green light wasn't explained in the user's manual and the battery showed a full charge (12.5v) and the car would easily start. This tender was about 7 years old so I decide to buy another one. Got it plugged in and the green light is showing steady. Wouldn't be surprised that there was some kind of failure in the internals of the tender. Still not bad for the original price of about $20 and years of service I got from it.

The CTEK charger is a good one and it reportedly works best with an AGM style battery.
Old 02-20-2019, 02:27 PM
  #8  
Evil-Twin
Team Owner

 
Evil-Twin's Avatar
 
Member Since: Mar 2001
Location: small town in S.E Pa. PA
Posts: 21,325
Received 3,812 Likes on 1,925 Posts
St. Jude Donor '03-'04

Default

Old 02-20-2019, 02:50 PM
  #9  
grantv
Le Mans Master
 
grantv's Avatar
 
Member Since: Sep 2014
Location: Kelowna BC
Posts: 5,280
Received 535 Likes on 491 Posts
Default

I read "two different cars" as the Corvette and another, could be 2 other cars, yes. Will have to see what the OP intended.
Old 02-20-2019, 03:16 PM
  #10  
Vetteman Jack
Administrator

Support Corvetteforum!
 
Vetteman Jack's Avatar
 
Member Since: Mar 2001
Location: In a parallel universe. Currently own 2014 Stingray Coupe.
Posts: 342,981
Received 19,299 Likes on 13,972 Posts
C7 of the Year - Modified Finalist 2021
MO Events Coordinator
St. Jude Co-Organizer
St. Jude Donor '03-'04-'05-'06-'07-'08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15-'16-'17-'18-'19-
'20-'21-'22-'23-'24
NCM Sinkhole Donor
CI 5, 8 & 11 Veteran


Default

I would believe that the Tender has an internal malfunction. I have a Battery Tender Plus that I have used for over 9 years and never had that type of display on it. The tenders do go bad over time so perhaps it is time to replace it. With the track record I have had with the Battery Tender Plus, it is the one I would recommend.
Old 02-20-2019, 04:37 PM
  #11  
mrlmd
Drifting
 
mrlmd's Avatar
 
Member Since: Jun 2013
Location: Shell Point (Crawfordville) Florida
Posts: 1,806
Received 297 Likes on 198 Posts

Default

C4 said "The flashing red/green light wasn't explained in the user's manual and the battery showed a full charge (12.5v) and the car would easily start."

12.5V for a battery is only about 80% charged. A fully charged battery should read 12.6-12.8V.
And, our C5"s may start with a battery voltage as low as 10.5V.

Last edited by mrlmd; 02-20-2019 at 04:38 PM.
Old 02-20-2019, 05:06 PM
  #12  
ShagVette
Safety Car

 
ShagVette's Avatar
 
Member Since: Aug 1999
Location: South East
Posts: 4,443
Received 915 Likes on 426 Posts

Default

Originally Posted by mrlmd
C4 said "The flashing red/green light wasn't explained in the user's manual and the battery showed a full charge (12.5v) and the car would easily start."

12.5V for a battery is only about 80% charged. A fully charged battery should read 12.6-12.8V.
And, our C5"s may start with a battery voltage as low as 10.5V.
Really?
Old 02-21-2019, 12:32 PM
  #13  
mrlmd
Drifting
 
mrlmd's Avatar
 
Member Since: Jun 2013
Location: Shell Point (Crawfordville) Florida
Posts: 1,806
Received 297 Likes on 198 Posts

Default

Yes, really. But you may only get one or two or three shots at starting it with the voltage that low.
Old 02-21-2019, 12:46 PM
  #14  
JPW501
Advanced
 
JPW501's Avatar
 
Member Since: Jun 2018
Location: Sunset Beach, NC
Posts: 68
Received 14 Likes on 10 Posts
Default What all the flashing is about:

I too have an older BT-plus and if I don't get the clamps hooked on just right, it will act weird. I usually clip them to the metal part of the cable lug and squeeze the clamps closed so I know they're tight. That seems to work.
Old 02-22-2019, 09:09 AM
  #15  
VettesGoneWild
Racer
 
VettesGoneWild's Avatar
 
Member Since: May 2014
Location: Central MA
Posts: 361
Received 34 Likes on 28 Posts
Default

I have the Battery Tender Plus and have used the last 5 winter seasons. For me using the cigarette lighter adaptor is the easiest connection method as I can connect/disconnect faster, saving opening the hood etc. Never have had any malfunctions or strange light sequences.
Old 02-22-2019, 11:45 AM
  #16  
knewblewkorvette
Race Director

Support Corvetteforum!
 
knewblewkorvette's Avatar
 
Member Since: May 2003
Location: Iowa
Posts: 13,995
Received 2,706 Likes on 1,668 Posts
St. Jude Donor '03-'04-'05-'06-'07-'08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15-'16'-'17-‘18-'19-'20-'21-'22-
'23-'24


Default

Originally Posted by Evil-Twin

Wow, look at all that dirt, you should sell it to someone who would take care of that
I have several Battery Tenders and I did have one fail on me. I can't remember what happened but it definitely fried. Still..... I would recommend them. I have three of them in use now. Also using one Schumauker battery tender.
Old 02-22-2019, 02:17 PM
  #17  
Evil-Twin
Team Owner

 
Evil-Twin's Avatar
 
Member Since: Mar 2001
Location: small town in S.E Pa. PA
Posts: 21,325
Received 3,812 Likes on 1,925 Posts
St. Jude Donor '03-'04

Default

I had a " Tender " steak for dinner. I would give it a plus. a Tender plus.

Get notified of new replies

To Battery Tender Jr

Old 02-22-2019, 02:19 PM
  #18  
Evil-Twin
Team Owner

 
Evil-Twin's Avatar
 
Member Since: Mar 2001
Location: small town in S.E Pa. PA
Posts: 21,325
Received 3,812 Likes on 1,925 Posts
St. Jude Donor '03-'04

Default

Originally Posted by knewblewkorvette
Wow, look at all that dirt, you should sell it to someone who would take care of that
I have several Battery Tenders and I did have one fail on me. I can't remember what happened but it definitely fried. Still..... I would recommend them. I have three of them in use now. Also using one Schumauker battery tender.
Not everyone can be as OCD as you are.
Old 02-23-2019, 09:13 AM
  #19  
bigcypress
Melting Slicks
 
bigcypress's Avatar
 
Member Since: May 2005
Location: sylvania ohio
Posts: 2,607
Received 167 Likes on 123 Posts

Default

i agree withjpw501 . we have two ''regular'' tenders one on each vette . have the ''junior'' on sons car that is always outside and have had no problems with it . . . ;peace
Old 02-28-2019, 10:28 AM
  #20  
msgvert
Instructor
Thread Starter
 
msgvert's Avatar
 
Member Since: Dec 2004
Location: Raleigh NC
Posts: 153
Likes: 0
Received 1 Like on 1 Post

Default

Hey guys - thanks for all the replies. I tend to agree with the responses indicating a bad tender. It is a 11 year old unit. Like I said, I tried it on my daily driver and got the same red/green flashing. The battery in the vette is good as I cranked and drove it Tuesday with no problems.. No tender had been attached for a couple weeks. Here is what Deltran customer service offered:

1. Polarity of the rings/clips. Swap them just for troubleshooting sake. These are reverse polarity protected so nothing harmful can happen.
2. Connect it to a daily driver and check the voltage.
Changing polarity results in flashing red which is the same result as not connected at all. I don't have a voltage gauge. They also offered me to send the unit in for testing but that doesn't sound practical for a $25 item.


Quick Reply: Battery Tender Jr



All times are GMT -4. The time now is 06:29 PM.