Battery tender

[JMO343]

Has anyone had any issues leaving there car with the battery tender hooked up while away on vacation? Is this ok to leave unattended for a couple of weeks?


Thanks


John
1990 #2331

[Dynomite]

Originally Posted by JMO343

Has anyone had any issues leaving there car with the battery tender hooked up while away on vacation? Is this ok to leave unattended for a couple of weeks?

Thanks

John
1990 #2331

Paul Workman will love the second question and the answer will be.....YES
I on the other hand, use different methods and since you are interested in only Battery Tenders, I will leave it at that

[Paul Workman]

Originally Posted by JMO343

Has anyone had any issues leaving there car with the battery tender hooked up while away on vacation? Is this ok to leave unattended for a couple of weeks?


Thanks


John
1990 #2331

If it is an electronic "smart" charger, e.g., Battery Tender*, or the like, you can and should leave it connected whenever you aren't using the car. These "smart" chargers (most of them sold these days) are designed for long term maintenance. They monitor the charge voltage and fall back when the battery is at full capacity, except for short pulses to prevent (and remove) the sulfide that otherwise will build up, even if the battery is left idle.

*In order to simply "top off" and maintain a battery in top condition, you can get by with a small "Tender" that produces less than an ampere of current. Inexpensive, and intended to be used full time when the (car) is not in use. Yet event the relatively inexpensive models are big enough to handle normal parasitic draw (radio pre-sets, ECM memory, etc.) AND top off and then keep the battery at full capacity. (Except after a lightning strike, I've kept Battery Tenders connected full time to all 3 of our Vettes - a total of almost 20 years now!)

Well, in deference to my buddy Cliff (aka Dynomite), he's correct in that and especially in cold (winter) storage situations, simply disconnecting the battery will prevent (at least) parasitic draining, and the cold temps will retard the normal (chemical reaction) lead sulfide build-up that will plague ALL lead-acid (car) batteries.

[lfalzarano]

Never had an issue using it over 5 years. I did forget to turn it on a few times in my old age[emoji108]


Sent from my iPhone using ZR-1 Net Registry

[DRM500RUBYZR-1]

The Battery Tender is actually a "maintainer".
As such, it is designed to be used for extended periods of time.
It is not a constantly charging low amp "charger".

The advantage of the Battery Tender was the computer control that determines when the device actually "charges" at a very minimal rate of amperage.

This avoids "cooking" a battery that is fully charged.

I have had my ZR-1 on a Tender since 1997, except when it is driven or during moves.
I burned down no houses.
No battery ever boiled.
No damage of any kind to the wiring or any electronics.

I have installed the permanent connectors on all of my cars, enabling me to avoid the hassle of the alligator clips.
I add gold battery bolts with a slight extension from original.
Don't go too long as you do not want to force the lugs out of the battery, just long enough to accomodate the ring terminals more easily. The ring terminals attach to the threaded extension on the front of the bolts. This makes for not only a reliable connection, but one that looks professional.

There are newer versions such as C-tek, but I have had most of my Deltran Battery Tenders for over 20 years.
I even have two that have the Corvette Museum Face, from back when they were sold by them.

I could not be happier with them.
I simply "unplug" the connector, and away I go.

I recognize alternate thoughts and methods, but this has worked very well for me a VERY Long time, I think since the very early 90's.


Marty

[JMO343]

I am currently using the "battery tender junior" model on my car. I am thinking this is a good model to use for our cars? Pretty much every time I go out to the garage it is always displaying a green light.


John
1990 #2331

[DRM500RUBYZR-1]

Originally Posted by JMO343

I am currently using the "battery tender junior" model on my car. I am thinking this is a good model to use for our cars? Pretty much every time I go out to the garage it is always displaying a green light.


John
1990 #2331

Junior or larger one, both use the same technology.
You are fine!
Marty

[32valvZ]

Been using a tender for many years also... both on dry and wet cell batteries. The Z is on one and the E39 is also. Both part time use cars.

[JMO343]

Thanks everyone for your input.


John
1990 #2331

[Mystic ZR-1]

Originally Posted by 32valvZ

Been using a tender for many years also... both on dry and wet cell batteries. The Z is on one and the E39 is also. Both part time use cars.

Been using a Battery Tender Jr year round for years,
never had a problem.
OBTW: 32valvZ, what’s your E39? I’ve got an 03,
540i-6 Dinan. (M5 light...) Best Bimmer ever built!
Got a Battery Tender Jr on this one too...