I was thinking about getting a combined Charger-Maintainer-Desulphator-Conditioner and was wondering if anyone considered something like the BatteryMINDer Model 12248:

http://www.batterymart.com/battery.mv?p=VDC-12248

I'm looking to have a unit that will keep my battery maintained over long periods, but will also kick in as a charger when necessary. I guess the above unit will act as like a BatteryMINDer Plus and a BatteryTENDer Plus together. Any comments?

 

i dont know what this [haha] thing costs but how about disconnect batt or buy a new one ever 2to3 yrs. desulfate yea ya need that

 

I've been using this type for a couple of years. Plug into the console power outlet and it's good. Click Here

 

I really was considering this one, but wondered if I'd need a real charger because I understand that it doesn't kick in a high charge rate if the battery drops below 11 volts.

You know, John, I think I'm gonna get the one you pointed out. If I need a charger, I'll get one.

 

Just bought one of these from VDC Electronics and had a long talk with the owner, Bill Woods. Boy, does he ever know batteries.

Did you guys know that if you let your battery run down below 10.8 (I think, don't have the instructions in front of me)volts just once, in all likelyhood the thing is shot. It will never recover to more that 50% of it's original capacity and will continue to deteriorate. It's no wonder the DBS keeps bugging people once they have the first go around.

I have an old Ford (hate that word) backhoe that I usually only use about once a month, if that, and I have always had problems with the battery in the thing.

The first battery that I charged when I received my 12248 was on the backhoe. Following Bill's instructions (which are extensive by the way) I was able to desulphate it and recover most of the original capacity.( It had never been allowed to go below 11.5 volts because I kept charging it at 2 amps with my cheap charger). But even this was not enough to keep it from sulphating. Using the 12248 for about 5 days solved the problem. As far as I am concerned, it is worth every penny.

We are taking delivery of our car at the Museum. We went so far as to
send the unit ahead so we would have it at our disposal on the trip home. (No way the airlines would allow that on board, even with checked luggage). Probably overkill but one cannot be TOO prepared.....

Only 9 more days to go. No wonder I can't sleep.

 

That's a pretty fine story to share. I just received my BatteryMinder+ and am still thinking about having a 12248 "on the shelf".