toytruckman

I don't have many posts, but do read most of the Tech posts everyday. I know you guys like the 'Battery-Tender' brand of battery tenders. Are those the the only ones? I have a couple of Schumacher (as in Don and Tony from NHRA) Solar cells with a converter that I use for smaller batteries no cars yet. I am finally buying my first Vette, well I'm looking at 2 but am ready to pull the trigger. I am starting to get necessary accessories (ramps; charger; jack-pucks). and the battery tender is next up.
Any kind of battery charger is good or should I stick with 'Battery-Tender'? If so which one is the best?

Thanks
Dave

ErikR

Asking for "the best" will get you all kinds of replies.

At this moment, I have 4 battery maintainers plugged in, 3 of them are the wall wart style Battery Tender Jr.'s and one is a Craftsman... which I think is really a re-branded Schumacher. Several people on here use the CTEK brand, but I never felt the need to spend that much $$.

I've used the BT Jr's for many years. Every fall, I plug in 2 motorcycles, a tractor, and the vette. The vehicles sit plugged in all winter. I've never had a battery problem and the vehicles start every spring. I had an original Goldwing battery last 10 years using a BT Jr. all winter. It may have gone longer, but i sold the bike. I had the OEM battery in a Yamaha FJR last 8 years. It too may have gone longer, but I sold that bike too.

I think just about any modern day, name brand, battery maintainer that's smarter than an old fashioned "trickle charger" would be fine. Keeping in mind that they're intended to maintain a charge.... not bring a dead battery back to life..

toytruckman

Cool Thanks...... That's the camp I was in.
Wanted to make sure....

Welker1

There are several good quality brands out there ranging in price for just under $50 to over a couple hundred. I have been using a Battery Tender Plus for a few years now. Picked it up at my local AutoZone for under $50, it has worked flawlessly and I like the quick release connect 'harness' you can 'permanently' hook up to the battery.

BackInBlack05

Just make sure it has a "float charge" feature.

Judgebull

Don-Vette

Shumacher!! one of the oldest names in the business!!

Olsarge

I have 8 classic cars. I've been using Battery Tender, Jr for years. They are .75 amps. I was having trouble keeping the '12 Vette charged so I got a 1.5 amp Schumacher. Turns out my problem was the battery not the car. I still keep the Schumacher on the Vette. All is good. The Jr's have worked fine on my older non-computer cars. If you check online you can get a great deal for a four-pack - around $25 each.

dmaxx3500

my vote is

''CTEK''

WW7

The Optima 400 maintainer is the best I have found so far and I have used just about all of the top brands on the market.. It gives a readout of all functions including actual battery volts, voltage going into battery and maintained voltage.. It also has advanced settings for each type of battery being maintained , instead of a one size fits all program.. I have been using the Optima 400 charger/maintainer on both of my Corvettes for over 4 years and can highly recommend it as an excellent unit..WW

ki-speed

I've got the same one. Works great and gives battery status information.

cmonkey713

You indicated "The Best". The engineers at Interstate Battery recommended a Schumacher 1500A which is designed to correctly charge and/or maintain both conventional and AGM batteries using manual switch designation of what you need to charge and/or maintain. It also has an automotive and marine setting. It is most likely overkill at $150 for most of us.

saplumr

capevettes

Absolutely true. So, I guess I'll chime in with what I feel is the best since I have them Seriously, there are alot of good ones out there,. I have had great luck with the C-Tek 3300. It is the only one that actually comes with the new Corvette as part of the "battery saver" package. I got that with my new C7 Z06. I have one for all of my newer Corvettes and Viper. They work great.

B y r o n

I have or have had at least one of every brand mentioned so far. I even tried a HF but it didn't last to long. I run them on MC's, riding mowers and my cars and trucks. The one that I am most happy with is the CTEK MUS 4.3. Now they have come out with some new models so take a look and see what fits your needs. For me the 4.3 with the recondition setting has saved me several times. With proper care a good battery will last longer than their advertise life, even more than double it!

BlindSpot

On Ctek

One of the newest Cteks is the MSX 5.0. It has different modes for smaller motorcycle batteries, car, and AGM batteries. Most every car manufacturer that offers a tender as an accessory is a Ctek rewrapped in their brands. Corvette is one of them. Corvette offers a stripped down CTEK 3300 (no AGM option) as all Corvette batteries are lead acid.

I now use a Ctek 7002, needed for one of my British cars that has 2 AGM batteries. Another great feature of the 7002 is the "Supply" mode. It will supply a steady 12v to the system if you need to disconnect the battery and keep systems powered up.

z06clif

Del-tec

Clif

NY09C6

I use the smallest NOCO Genius

ptroxx

tmryann

Ctek is pricey but it works great. Bought mine 3 years ago and have no issues with it.