Deltran junk
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 660
Likes: 16
From: Tustin California
Deltran junk
Just got back from Orielly Auto Parts. I bought a Deltran Battery Tender from them this afternoon and what a piece of **** it was!! It got nice and warm and the little chinese lights blinked, but the battery got nothing. They took it back and the manager agreed that they make a product that doesn't work all that often and certainly not for the five years that they warrant it. The unit costs $32.00 and if you send it in for warranty you have to pay a service charge to them plus shipping to "see" if their unit isn't working. For about the same cash you can just chuck it in the trash and buy a new one [if you like being stung twice]. Tomorrow I'm calling Gene and ordering a Ctek 3300 like I should have done in the first place. I hope this helps someone else from being sucked in by Deltran. Rod
Melting Slicks
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 2,479
Likes: 36
Yep, I've tried a lot of different battery maintainers and I finally bought a Ctek 3300. Best charger/ maintainer I've ever used. There is a good reason that the Ctek chargers are included as OEM equipment by several exotic car marques.
Tech Contributor
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 3,100
Likes: 17
From: Somers, CT and Clermont, FL
St. Jude Donor '09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15-'16
I use Harbor Freight $10 float chargers on the batteries in my Corvette, boat, and lawn tractor during winter storage. http://www.harborfreight.com/automat...ger-42292.html
They are the best bargain on the planet!
They are the best bargain on the planet!
Race Director
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 10,554
Likes: 33
From: Not on either liberal coast.
My current BATTERY TENDER PLUS (1.25amp) is from '06. My previous unit was ten years old when I gave it to the buyer of the car it was on.
If you bought a $32 BATTERY TENDER, that's probably the BATTERY TENDER JR., actually intended for motorcycles. It only inputs a tiny .75amp.
You bought it "in the afternoon" and "the battery got nothing". Over what period of time did you leave the charger on?
I'm not sure what you expected.
If you bought a $32 BATTERY TENDER, that's probably the BATTERY TENDER JR., actually intended for motorcycles. It only inputs a tiny .75amp.
You bought it "in the afternoon" and "the battery got nothing". Over what period of time did you leave the charger on?
I'm not sure what you expected.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 1,180
Likes: 2
From: Yes it's hot! Arizona
My current BATTERY TENDER PLUS (1.25amp) is from '06. My previous unit was ten years old when I gave it to the buyer of the car it was on.
If you bought a $32 BATTERY TENDER, that's probably the BATTERY TENDER JR., actually intended for motorcycles. It only inputs a tiny .75amp.
You bought it "in the afternoon" and "the battery got nothing". Over what period of time did you leave the charger on?
I'm not sure what you expected.
If you bought a $32 BATTERY TENDER, that's probably the BATTERY TENDER JR., actually intended for motorcycles. It only inputs a tiny .75amp.
You bought it "in the afternoon" and "the battery got nothing". Over what period of time did you leave the charger on?
I'm not sure what you expected.
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
2027 Corvette vs The World: Every Model vs Closest Competitor
Joe Kucinski
10 Most Common Corvette Problems of the Last 20 Years!
Joe Kucinski
5 MOST and 5 LEAST Popular Corvette Model Years in History!
Joe Kucinski
2027 Corvette Buyer's Guide: Everything You Need to Know!
Joe Kucinski
10 Things C8 Corvette Owners Hate (But Won't Tell You)
Joe Kucinski
10 Best Corvettes Coming to Barrett-Jackson Palm Beach 2026!
Brett Foote
Every Corvette Grand Sport Explained! (C2, C4, C6, C7, & C8)
Joe Kucinski
Grand Sport & Grand Sport X Launch Alongside All-New 535hp LS6 V8!
Michael S. Palmer
5 Reasons Bad Drivers Crash & 5 Ways to Avoid a Costly Mistake!
Joe Kucinski
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 1,139
Likes: 6
From: Granite Falls WA
a battery "tender" is not a battery "charger".
tenders are used on fully charged batteries to stop them from losing the charge.
chargers are, well, to charge up an uncharged battery.
big difference.
tenders are used on fully charged batteries to stop them from losing the charge.
chargers are, well, to charge up an uncharged battery.
big difference.
Race Director
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 11,150
Likes: 889
From: South Western Ontario
I've been using Ctek chargers for the last 3 or 4 years. The Ctek is a full 2A charger and maintainer. They will probably do about as quick a charge as one of those cheap toaster sized chargers.
If you go to the Deltran web-site they claim that the Battery Tenders can bulk charge a battery and they also list the Battery Tender Jr. under the automotive chargers.
So, was it the Jr. model and how did you test that the battery got "nothing".
Peter
If you go to the Deltran web-site they claim that the Battery Tenders can bulk charge a battery and they also list the Battery Tender Jr. under the automotive chargers.
There has been some confusion in the battery charger world that some of our chargers are simply maintainers ---- NOT TRUE! Each and every Deltran Battery Tender Battery Charger® regardless of its size is programmed with a microprocessor that will correctly charge a battery then automatically switch to a maintenance/float mode.
Peter
Team Owner
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 87,294
Likes: 1,579
From: Western NY
I am very wary of using a "battry tender" on my car, because it is kept in a garage that is attached to my house, and if the thing screws up and causes a fire, it would be bad enough losing the car and garage, without the added risk to my home and contents.
Therefore, I simply throw the regular battery charger on the car for 10-15 minutes every 7-10 days. It's easy during the depths of winter, cause I'll plug it in when I fire up the snow blower to clear the driveway, which usually takes about 15 minutes....
Therefore, I simply throw the regular battery charger on the car for 10-15 minutes every 7-10 days. It's easy during the depths of winter, cause I'll plug it in when I fire up the snow blower to clear the driveway, which usually takes about 15 minutes....
Race Director
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 11,605
Likes: 344
From: No Where USA
I am very wary of using a "battry tender" on my car, because it is kept in a garage that is attached to my house, and if the thing screws up and causes a fire, it would be bad enough losing the car and garage, without the added risk to my home and contents.
Therefore, I simply throw the regular battery charger on the car for 10-15 minutes every 7-10 days. It's easy during the depths of winter, cause I'll plug it in when I fire up the snow blower to clear the driveway, which usually takes about 15 minutes....
Therefore, I simply throw the regular battery charger on the car for 10-15 minutes every 7-10 days. It's easy during the depths of winter, cause I'll plug it in when I fire up the snow blower to clear the driveway, which usually takes about 15 minutes....
Team Owner
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 23,682
Likes: 9
From: Flagstaff Az.
In 2005 I bought 3 "float" chargers from Harbor Freight on sale for about $5 apiece. Original one is still working, gave one to neighbor and still have one in the box. Car is not driven a lot and charger has been on for almost all of the six years. 
Team Owner
Joined: Oct 2001
Posts: 46,759
Likes: 5
From: Boynton Beach Florida
St. Jude Donor '07-'12, '20
Used my Battery Tender Plus for years without issue.
CTEK sent me one of their units for free (to test) 2 years ago. I gave the Deltran to a buddy since I liked the small package of the CTEK.
About 3 weeks ago the CTEK gave up the ghost.
Replaced it with this.
CTEK sent me one of their units for free (to test) 2 years ago. I gave the Deltran to a buddy since I liked the small package of the CTEK.
About 3 weeks ago the CTEK gave up the ghost.
Replaced it with this.
Pro
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 585
Likes: 2
My current BATTERY TENDER PLUS (1.25amp) is from '06. My previous unit was ten years old when I gave it to the buyer of the car it was on.
If you bought a $32 BATTERY TENDER, that's probably the BATTERY TENDER JR., actually intended for motorcycles. It only inputs a tiny .75amp.
You bought it "in the afternoon" and "the battery got nothing". Over what period of time did you leave the charger on?
I'm not sure what you expected.
If you bought a $32 BATTERY TENDER, that's probably the BATTERY TENDER JR., actually intended for motorcycles. It only inputs a tiny .75amp.
You bought it "in the afternoon" and "the battery got nothing". Over what period of time did you leave the charger on?
I'm not sure what you expected.
Pro
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 628
Likes: 4
From: Columbia SC
I've seen more than one defective Battery Tender that overcharged the battery it was hooked to without dropping out. And even one that will shut off/maintain takes the charge up further than I think it should. I'm no expert, but why should any Tender/Minder take the charge up much past 12.7 before going into a maintain mode?
