6 volt Battery Tender Plus

[Y-Blockhead]

Originally Posted by Tom Wesenberg

99% of the time it's no problem. The battery that exploded overnight was on a 1 amp charger and even a 1 amp charger can make a bad battery overheat and explode, as I found out. That was mostly my fault because I felt the battery and it was warmer than it should be, but I left the charger on hoping the battery would recharge. Anytime a battery gets warm on a low charge you can bet it's the end for that battery and you should stop charging and junk the battery.

Hmmmm... So let us see. You tried to charge a battery that you thought was bad but tried to recharge anyway, even tho it felt warm while charging with a 1 amp battery charger "hoping the battery would recharge" and it exploded OVERNIGHT? And your suggesting not to use a battery tender?

Sorry Tom. I usually learn from your posts. But I don't follow your logic here.

I leave a Battery Tender on my '55 Ranchwagon and very rarely have to add (distilled) water, showing me it is not over charging (or barely charging at all).

[Cracker39]

It's my understanding that the charge rate of the battery tender, after achieving an 80% charge on the battery (---flashing green,) is 1.25 amps. It continues at that rate until the battery reaches 100%, at which time the indicator light turns solid green and it shuts down until the battery needs a minor boost. I don't like trusting anything said to be totally "automatic" but, at worst, it beats trusting my memory to turn off and remove a non-automatic charger before it does any damage. The Tender won't, however, recharge a fully discharged battery - so I use a 2nd automatic Shumaker when and "if" ever needed - i.e. - dome light left on, etc.

[Tom Wesenberg]

Originally Posted by Y-Blockhead

Hmmmm... So let us see. You tried to charge a battery that you thought was bad but tried to recharge anyway, even tho it felt warm while charging with a 1 amp battery charger "hoping the battery would recharge" and it exploded OVERNIGHT? And your suggesting not to use a battery tender?

Sorry Tom. I usually learn from your posts. But I don't follow your logic here.

I leave a Battery Tender on my '55 Ranchwagon and very rarely have to add (distilled) water, showing me it is not over charging (or barely charging at all).

The maintainer is plugged into 110 volts. Can it malfunction and catch fire? Or overcharge the battery? Or cause a spark inside the battery by plates shorting? I sleep much better knowing the 110 is even off to my Studebaker garage when I'm not in there.

[Y-Blockhead]

Originally Posted by Tom Wesenberg

The maintainer is plugged into 110 volts. Can it malfunction and catch fire?

Haha... I suppose so can a Refrigerator or Microwave. You computer? An alarm clock? Do you unplug them when not around?

Are you concerned that the Battery Tender (NOT a regular battery charger, I agree to not leave them unattended) is going to catch fire. Isn't your garage/shed fused?

I forgot to mention I only use the Battery tender on the '55 when the car is going to sit for a period on time because the radio and alarm have a constant draw. I don't leave it on for months at a time. I don't use a Battery tender on my A because it doesn't have any parasitic users.

Not trying to change your mind. I respect your knowledge on A's. I think we should agree to disagree on this point tho.

[Jeff/Illinois]

I don't risk leaving chargers on for any length of time anymore, period. Not after reading what has happened to others on here. I have a 6V Deltran maintainer plus a regular charger.

One of the better ideas I believe was from Tom, was to simply hook the charger thru a timer that automatically kills the power after a short duration. And only use it once a month or so. Or, like Mitch said, just run the car monthly for 20-30 minutes either way would be a safer route to go.