Battery Tender 6V

[Lawson Cox]

I have used a 6V Battery Tender, 1.25 Amp for years but alas, they are no longer available and mine is on the fritz. What are you guys that are still on 6V using to maintain your batteries. I want a maintainer, not a trickle charger. Not the same. In the alternative, is there anyone who checks/repairs the Battery Tender?

[rufus39]

Lawson,
I just bought this one a few weeks ago, based on the opinions of several guys here that swear by them. A bit pricey, but, i feel it's worth it for the options that it offers and piece of mind.

[rockfla]

Originally Posted by rufus39

Lawson,
I just bought this one a few weeks ago, based on the opinions of several guys here that swear by them. A bit pricey, but, i feel it's worth it for the options that it offers and piece of mind.

Lawson
It's what I am using too, had the NOCO 10 for over a year now.....AND was in the local NAPA a few months back and they were having a sale on NAPA brand tenders one was the 1.5V and the other was a 3V version, I bought two of the 1.5's and one 3V. Both were switchable from 6V to 12V and have been using them as well....SO far NO problems with those either.


Rockfla

[Lawson Cox]

Does this work with an Optima? It says Gel Cell, but is Optima technically a Gel Cell? I'm not sure.

[rufus39]

I'm using an Optima as well, which is an AGM , Not gel cell, although this charger will work on either.

[tubman]

Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements)

An Optima is still a lead/acid battery, but made differently. AGM stands for "absorbed glass mat". I stole the following off the internet :

"Glass mats, cushioning the ultra-thin lead plates, will squish like a sponge. In turn, manufacturers can squeeze more glass mats and lead into one battery. More lead equals more power. Plus, that squish factor means the battery’s insides are packed tightly.

AGM batteries also have valves regulating the amount of hydrogen and oxygen gas allowed to escape during charging. They fall under a broader category of valve-regulated, lead-acid (VRLA) batteries, typically used for storing a lot of power for a long time or for long-running power uses."

I have always used my regular chargers and tenders on them without any problems. They seem to last 13-14 years for me.

[Lawson Cox]

Originally Posted by tubman

An Optima is still a lead/acid battery, but made differently. AGM stands for "absorbed glass mat". I stole the following off the internet :

"Glass mats, cushioning the ultra-thin lead plates, will squish like a sponge. In turn, manufacturers can squeeze more glass mats and lead into one battery. More lead equals more power. Plus, that squish factor means the battery’s insides are packed tightly.

AGM batteries also have valves regulating the amount of hydrogen and oxygen gas allowed to escape during charging. They fall under a broader category of valve-regulated, lead-acid (VRLA) batteries, typically used for storing a lot of power for a long time or for long-running power uses."

I have always used my regular chargers and tenders on them without any problems. They seem to last 13-14 years for me.

Mine too. I have outlived many. LOL

[1931 flamingo]

The NOCO is the one suggested on the "A" site here.
Paul in CT

[Jeff/Illinois]

I bought a couple of the NOCO battery boosters and keep them in the everyday cars for a battery boost other than using battery booster cables, off of Amazon.

They work great. Compact and don't take up much room.

That is for 12V but my point is, NOCO came highly recommended by Scotty Kilmer on his mechanics channel on YouTube, so I am willing to bet their maintainers are good too.

[tubman]

I have a bunch of old Schumacher 6/12 volt units that I got cheap at WalMart years ago. One failed almost immediately, but the rest have soldiered on valiantly since.

One thing I do is hook them all up through a simple mechanical timer (available everywhere) and run them 15 minutes (the timer's minimum interval) a day. This ensures that the batteries will not be overcharged and boiled, which is how the one unit did fail.

[flatcreeker]

Putting this on my short list since it specifies a cycle for 6 volt AGM batteries.

[Marcus]

Lawson the Elder: Check your email - I just sent pictures of the Schmacher Maintainer that I use (and have used for years). Automatically switches between 6/12 volt as required. Somewhere between 12 - 14 units in operation right now; $25 or so on Amazon.
Hope this helps!

[Merc Cruzer]

Deltran Battery Tender Jr 6 volt. No issues in over 11 years. It is on 24/7, when I am not driving the car.

[Shu47]

I have several of the Schumacher 6/12 volt charger maintainers. They all work great for several years now. The first one I bought only cost about $20 but they went up in cost over the years to where the last one cost me about $30.

[woodiedude]

i have been using a Schumacher purchased about 12 years ago for my 6V Optima battery. I just replaced the Optima this year. I believe I purchased the charger at Walmart a few years back.

[GT1929]

Bought a couple off Ali Express about $26 NZD had them for years seem to work on both 6 or 12 volts can wire the cables to battery posts a just plug in when in garage.

[mike42]

I just bought 3 Schumacher units that work with 6 & 12 v. They work well.

Mike

[Jacques1960]

I use a NOCO for our 6v AGM - highly flexibly charger will works with either 6 or 12 and any battery type. Highly recommend.

[JWL]

One of my NOCO units failed within 3 months. Basically no warranty unless you pay shipping back to China or pay $15 for what they call "difference". Too many other options for me to buy NOCO again.

[corvette8n]

I’ve had this China brick type for 4 years, I only use it durning the winter when my car battery is out and stored in the cellar. Puts out about half an amp. Can’t seem to find it on eBay now, but I paid about $10.