Battery Tenders?

[Tom from Drippin']

Should battery tenders be connected 24/7, or every other week or so?

[Merc Cruzer]

I do mine and have for over 10 years now.

[Tom from Drippin']

Originally Posted by Merc Cruzer

I do mine and have for over 10 years now.

Which way? 24/7 or intermittent?

[Dollar Bill]

I have five and also keep them connected full time. Most of my batteries are 10-12 years old so they must be effective.

[JohnLaVoy]

I have mine on 24/7 and have for years.

[bunnyc]

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I have eleven 12V batteries that I maintain. I use two Xtreme charger/desulfators, rotating every week or so.

[Mitch//pa]

Any automatic maintainer can be left connected.. make sure your electrolyte level is over the plates...if topping off the level know what your doing as overfilling is a no-no

[mshmodela]

I had defective tender which appears to have slowly drained my batter.... Once I fully recharged it my car has been on it's own for the past 14 months without any battery charger... I myself do not trust batteries left alone over night while charging but that's me...

[katy]

I put battery tenders or trickle chargers on all our batteries once a month for 24 hrs. At the price of hydro these days I don't see the sense in putting then on 24/7. Done it this way for many years and have never had a battery that didn't last 10 or more years.

[Synchro909]

I use a solar powered tender connected 24/7.
Doesn't do much at night though.

[C26Pinelake]

Mine are on a sensory / timer device and run from noon to 8 pm daily.

[eagle]

Buy a $3 lamp timer at walmart and use it to turn the charger on for 1 hour a day.

[Dodge]

We have one that will charge up to six batteries at a time. One central location and long
Leads to the different cars. On 24/7
Love my tender it's so sweet I'll never let it go. (Hum it to the Elvis song)

[henry's 31]

I keep mine connected all the time. I keep the Deltron ones on every antique car, boat and lawn mower. These smart maintainer/chargers extend the battery life as confirmed here by other members.

[midgetracer]

I do 24/7 during the winter months. During the warm months I drive them enough to keEp Them charged.

[Mitch//pa]

Originally Posted by Timothy Kelly

What harm comes from overfilling a lead acid battery, aside from maybe increasing the risk of spill?

Hi Tim
When a battery is being used / and charged through normal operation small air bubbles form in each cell which release gas through the little vent in the cap. If the cell is overfilled liquid will come out with the gas which will result in acid getting on top of the battery and surrounding areas. A good height is 1/4" above the plates, along with that there is a gauge built into the battery casing for each cell to show the reccommended height.

[Mike V. Florida]

Originally Posted by eagle

Buy a $3 lamp timer at walmart and use it to turn the charger on for 1 hour a day.

Used to do that when I had R/C cars and planes for the battery packs.

[John/CT]

I use a Battery Tender brand unit connected 24/7. These are automatic battery maintainers and you can monitor their activity by the red and green leds. A local storage battery manufacturer claims you can double the life of a lead acid battery by using an automatic maintainer when the vehicle is stored for more than a couple of months. This guy is in the business of selling batteries and has no reason to lie.
John

[Merc Cruzer]

Originally Posted by tom from drippin'

which way? 24/7 or intermittent?

24/7 - both of mine are Optimas's

[V4F]

I use one solar charger on my optima & maintainer on my m/c batt. 24/7 when not in use

[Roadster Rich]

Do you need a special 6 volt unit or are they good for either 12 or 6 volt?

[Jeff/Illinois]

Rich you need a 6V for that battery and a 12V for a 12 volt battery. Even WalMart carries them now but I haven't seen 6V there, you'll have to go on line to buy a 6V.

I've used Deltran Battery Tender for years no problems. They do seem to lengthen the life of the batteries.

Tom W. had a problem once with a trickle charger left on for a long time, and I know he recommends using a timer now to shut them on and off.

[Mitch//pa]

Originally Posted by Roadster Rich

Do you need a special 6 volt unit or are they good for either 12 or 6 volt?

Most are dual purpose.. once hooked up they detect 6 or 12v..

If you ever need to da a 12v this may be the way to go

[Merc Cruzer]

Originally Posted by Roadster Rich

Do you need a special 6 volt unit or are they good for either 12 or 6 volt?

I have this one for my 6 volt battery and the same one but 12 volt for the 12 volt battery.

[eagle]

I would go simple/basic. A 12 vdc 300 mA Walwort connected to a lamp timer that comes on for 30 min a day will keep your battery in fine condition. If it fails, it will typically fail open so no harm done. Last thing you need is a fire. I know, I've had two serious fires, one caused by a battery charger.

[Kcdan4th]

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I have 6 to 8 on at all times. I run them 24/7. They're a lifesaver!

[Mitch//pa]

I had a lamp timer burn up

[SeaSlugs]

Originally Posted by Mitch//pa

I had a lamp timer burn up

same here, and a 110v carbon monoxide detector...

I dont trust battery chargers or trickle chargers left unattended. I just disconnect the battery from both posts in the fall then before I want to drive the car I take it out and put it on a 2A charger for an hour in the spring or a trickle charger overnight. Fires right up.

[Brad in Germany]

I periodically use a "Battery Saver" battery maintainer, though my Optimas have never given me any problems, even after a long storage with no maintainer. I use it primarily to maintain my very old 6V battery on my garden tractor.



I have installed a female end of a cigarette lighter in a discreat location in the engine compartment of each one of my Model A's. Then when I pull into my garage to park, I simply lift he hood and plug in the battery maintainer using the male cigarette lighter plug.



I use the cigarette lighter plugs since I found them very easy to plug in and unplug with no fumbling around and always good contact. I can plug it in and unplug it with one hand (while the other hand holds the hood open). Schwoop-dee-woop and it is plugged in.

The "Battery Saver" automatically detects either a 12V or 6V battery and automatically adjusts accordingly.....so I can use it on my modern cars as well as my garden tractor. One "Battery Saver" maintainer can maintain two batteries at once, reducing the number of maintainers needed if you have several batteries that need maintaining. I also like the meter on the Battery Saver - it gives me a quick snap-shot of the health of the battery that is being maintained.

Fordially,
Brad in Maryland

[BILL WILLIAMSON]

I plug tenders/trickle chargers in at my garage light & they're only ON, when the light's ON.
Bill Safe?

[Willie Krash]

I use 'em and put battery oil in the battery and not because I use a tender.
I use the little Black & Decker tender (6/12V) with the battery plug hard wired into the starter.

[JohnLaVoy]

Originally Posted by V4F

I use one solar charger on my optima & maintainer on my m/c batt. 24/7 when not in use

I'm thinking about a solar charger which brand do you have? Of course I'm looking at doing a 12 volt car optima so how large a battery will it handle?

John

[Dollar Bill]

John, battery chargers are rated in output amps. Most battery maintainers put out less than 2 amps depending on the state of discharge. Size your solar panel for 2-5 amp output and it can easily handle a couple of battery maintainers.

[30 Closed Cab PU]

Originally Posted by Dodge

We have one that will charge up to six batteries at a time. One central location and long
Leads to the different cars. On 24/7
Love my tender it's so sweet I'll never let it go. (Hum it to the Elvis song)

Does it work for both 6v and 12v, work an batteryis ranging from motor cycle to caar (AH).


If yes what model/brand?

[Badpuppy]

I bought 2 B&D chargers a while back on amazon for <$20 apiece. They're switchable 6/12V, detect reverse polarity and overcurrent, hard to screw up. I leave them connected 24/7, 6V on the A, 12V on my 1999 M-B. They will work on any 6 or 12V lead acid battery.

[30 Closed Cab PU]

Originally Posted by Badpuppy

I bought 2 B&D chargers a while back on amazon for <$20 apiece. They're switchable 6/12V, detect reverse polarity and overcurrent, hard to screw up. I leave them connected 24/7, 6V on the A, 12V on my 1999 M-B. They will work on any 6 or 12V lead acid battery.

This one?


https://www.google.com/shopping/prod...XsHDPQQ9AII6gI

[wmws]

I believe the Battery Tender model puts out 1/4 amp when it is charging. When the battery is fully charged it turns off.

[woofa.express]

Originally Posted by Tom from Drippin'

Should battery tenders be connected 24/7, or every other week or so?

The pursuit of excellence is healthy and rewarding.
The pursuit of perfection is frustrating, neurotic and a terrible waste of time.


Hi Tom. I like your signature and it is so true and correct, gary

[Y-Blockhead]

Originally Posted by Willie Krash

I use 'em and put battery oil in the battery and not because I use a tender.

What's "Battery Oil"?

[eagle]

Pulled this off another forum:
Silverghost
Members
1
1,517 posts
Report post
Posted November 29, 2010 (edited)
Here is the scoop on "Battery Oil"

Edison & Others developed the Nickel/Iron storage battery in the 1880s !

Edison, Exide, Willard, and others built & sold them for automotive use.

Edison stated that this battery would last your lifetime !

He was promoting them for Early Electric auto use ~

The Nickel-Iron (NiFe) battery was considered a Life-Long Battery that could last 30-50 years or more!

I was not harmed by deep discharge or repeated cycling charges.

In many ways this battery was superior to the Lead/Acid storage battery we use today as it has a very long life; and could be restored by changing the electrolyte and cleaning the plates !

The battery was built with cells in a glass or ceramic jar with a lid that could be opened .

This was an aklaline battery that used a Potassium Hydroxide caustic soda & distilled water electrolyte with Nickel & Iron (NiFe) plates contained in a glass cell with a rubber top supporting the plates & covering the cells.. The cells were connected in series with brass wing nut & wire or copper ribbon strip jumper connections..

The cells were stacked in a wooden crate and hooked-up in series.

Each cell was .8 Volts with 1.2 Volts in later production variants.

Each of the cells could be refreshed or replaced.

Edison sold this battery to the Telephone , Telegraph, Railroads , and for early penny in the slot amusement listening tube phonograph use. You often find old Edison battery jars on eBay !

The Telephone & Telegraph companys had iron battery boxes on their poles with banks of the Edison Nickel/Iron battery in them .

The railroads had iron signal boxes which also contained banks of Edison batteries.

The "Battery Oil" was poured on top of the fresh electrolyte in each cell to prevent evaporation and gassing while charging on these utility poles.

The oil would float on top of the electrolyte to give a thick protective oil film.

This would help the battery gases to re-combine instead of gassing-off while sitting long term, or re-charging. It also prevented evaporation.

You often find empty Edison Battery Oil bottles of 3-4 oz near old railroad iron signal & switch boxes in the woods near the switch & signal boxes today.

The railroad workers would use the oil and then just toss the empty bottles in the woods along side the tracks.

Look for them near the old railroad signal boxes ! You can still find many today !

The railroads and telephone/telegraph COs still used this type of battery well into the 60s-70s in some rural areas in the USA !

Edison Electric Storage Battery Co . built them until 1972~

Exide built them until 1975 !

Folks also collect the bottles, battery jars, and batteries today ! They are not worth very much~

There are 4-5 styles of battery oil bottles used over the years.

I also understand farms used this Edison battery for farm & house lighting before general rural electrification. The battery banks were often connected to a wind mill "Aeromo" generator for re-charging.

The wind mill usually used a Ford or other auto type generator.

These electric set-ups were often sold thru the early Sears catalog ! The farmer's friend ~

Electric autos & very high-end & high priced gasoline autos often used the Nickel/Iron Edison , Exide, or Willard automotive battery. Many early electric autos Ie: Detroit Electric, Baker, and other auto builders often offered a Nickel/Iron battery bank as a higher price option; As it would last for decades, if not Life-Long!

Deep discharge did not harm this type of battery as it did severly harm a Lead-Acid battery and shortened it's useful ife. This deep-discharge ability made it perfect for early electric auto carriages !

High priced gasoline autos used them also.

A friend bought a Rolls_Royce Phantom I from the Ford museum a few years ago.

It had not run in fifty+ years or more.

The old Exide Nickel/Iron battery was still in the battery box on the left running board.

My friend got the car up and running with a new modern battery~

He then decided to try to refresh & restore the old (NiFe) Exide battery.

It consisted of a large crate style wooden box with many glass jar cells inside. Each with hard rubber jar lids. Each cell was connected in series to form 6 volts.

He dumped the old electrolyte, and cleaned the plates which were in very good shape.

He then added fresh electrolyte and charged the battery.

It worked !!

Today it is now installed in the Phantom's battery box and used to actually start and run this Phantom !

It still works fine after all these decades !

And yes~ He did pour a fresh bottle of Edison Battery Oil on top of each battery cell.

If you search hard enough you can still find un-opened Edison battery oil bottles with the famous Edison script autograph cast in the glass bottle on eBay !

TRUE STORY~~~~

Believe it~

Or Not !

Edited December 1, 2010 by Silverghost (see edit history)

[Y-Blockhead]

Thanks for the History lesson, eagle. Always open to learn something new. I never heard of this before.

I also came across this website. I see you can actually buy Battery Oil https://www.thermoil.com Lots of interesting info.

[30 Closed Cab PU]

Originally Posted by 30 Closed Cab PU

This one?


https://www.google.com/shopping/prod...XsHDPQQ9AII6gI

Been comparing specs on B and D and Battery Tender brands. Battery Tenders are more costly than the B and D. The Battery Tenders are not switchable for 6v 12v, have to buy separate versions depending on voltage output.


Was thinking of buying a multi battery charger, but decided to buy individual chargers,. If a single battery charger fails, cheaper to replace then if the multi battery charger fails.



Any clear downside to using the B and D compared to the Battery Tender Brand? Both seem to be liked in the reviews on line.

[Badpuppy]

Originally Posted by 30 Closed Cab PU

This one?

That's the one, but find it on Amazon for $17:

https://www.google.com/shopping/prod...HaKoBxcQrRIIbA

Only downside is they use up wall outlets, but a power strip solves that problem. These are maintainers, only a couple amps output is all that is needed. The high-amp chargers are for charging up a discharged battery in a short time. You can get there with a trickle charger if you're in no hurry (days/weeks).

[30 Closed Cab PU]

Originally Posted by Badpuppy

That's the one, but find it on Amazon for $17:

https://www.google.com/shopping/prod...HaKoBxcQrRIIbA

Only downside is they use up wall outlets, but a power strip solves that problem. These are maintainers, only a couple amps output is all that is needed. The high-amp chargers are for charging up a discharged battery in a short time. You can get there with a trickle charger if you're in no hurry (days/weeks).

As an FYI, tried to order from using your provided link at 17.88, switched me to EBay. Picture on the listing showed the B and D. Ordered and Cart shows qty. 2 Battery Tenders. Canceled the order, did not feel safe due to product switch.


So far Walmart on line has them at 16.98 + tax with a special free shipping offer if you have a $35 dollar minimum order.

[Badpuppy]

There are many similar chargers which do pretty much the same thing. I guess amazon doesn't have those any more...
No, the price has gone up -
https://www.amazon.com/gp/offer-list...3257386&sr=1-6

Similar prices on ebay, but watch for that bait-and-switch for 17.99.

[Y-Blockhead]

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Originally Posted by 30 Closed Cab PU

The Battery Tenders are not switchable for 6v 12v, have to buy separate versions depending on voltage output.
Any clear downside to using the B and D compared to the Battery Tender Brand? Both seem to be liked in the reviews on line.

FYI Deltran (Battery Tender) does make a switchable 6v/12v model https://www.amazon.com/Battery-Tende...6-4c18a8348879

I have been using a 12v Battery Tender Jr. for years with no problems.

[JBill]

I have a Die Hard charger/maintainer that seems to work well, but who knows about anything Sears-related these days. This unit is about five years old. It's completely electronic. It assesses the voltage (6 or 12) of the battery it's connected to, shows a percent of charge up to 100%, then switches automatically to "maintain." Likely a lot of other brands work the same. This one was about $30.00. Never feels warm, even when charging.

[midgetracer]

I have had some failures with the old B&D maintainers. My Battery tenders are at least 10 years old and work great.

[Jim Brierley]

I use solar too, on my trailer battery, connected thru the 7-way lighting plug. It is a 10 watt unit, less than 1 amp, works great.

[ronn]

I decided to buy a couple because of this thread- found 2 on ebay brand new at 11. each


done deal!

[Jeff/Illinois]

Originally Posted by Y-Blockhead

[
I have been using a 12v Battery Tender Jr. for years with no problems.[/COLOR][/SIZE][/FONT]

Same here no problems what so ever. Have two 12V and two 6V Deltran Battery Tenders they all work fine.

[30 Closed Cab PU]

Originally Posted by 30 Closed Cab PU

As an FYI, tried to order from using your provided link at 17.88, switched me to EBay. Picture on the listing showed the B and D. Ordered and Cart shows qty. 2 Battery Tenders. Canceled the order, did not feel safe due to product switch.


So far Walmart on line has them at 16.98 + tax with a special free shipping offer if you have a $35 dollar minimum order.

Update - ordered 4 of the Black and Deckers - 1 of the 4 failed out of box, it would not detect a battery as being fully charged, and it shut off overnight. Ordered them from Walmart.com using PayPal. Easily returned via local Walmart, and since I used PayPal got the refund in cash. Also can choose to pickup at store, no shipping charge. Ordered another one.