Suggestions for Battery Tender

[Paul Workman]

Originally Posted by Roadster

Thanks Phil for the info, everything worked out fine....

Done deal!!! took 11 hours for the ZR-1 battery to fully charge, I am in the green now. Just have to decide if I want to leave it connected during the week as I keep the Z covered in the garage. Or maybe just hook it up during the weekends...... Decisions, decisions......

All in all, very happy with the BTP, works great, a good purchase....
and good info in this thread...........

In short, the BT is designed to be left on whenever the battery is not in use. In fact, the monitoring and replenishment and sulfate mitigating features is what separates the (BT) from the (dumb) "trickle chargers". Obviously, it will do the battery no good if the (BT or the like) charger is not connected.

FWIW, Except when driving the cars or being serviced/painted, etc., I have had a (800 mA) BT connected to one battery (the C3 Vette) for going on 9 years, and another (the ZR-1) in its 7th year: both* crank like new.

*Both batteries are just Walmart's high-end automotive, maintenance free batteries.

THAT SAID...

The Optima is a a horse of a different color. You'd need to check with the manufacturer of the (BT) to see if it is applicable or adaptible to that battery.

[Roadster]

Originally Posted by Paul Workman

In short, the BT is designed to be left on whenever the battery is not in use. In fact, the monitoring and replenishment and sulfate mitigating features is what separates the (BT) from the (dumb) "trickle chargers". Obviously, it will do the battery no good if the (BT or the like) charger is not connected.

FWIW, Except when driving the cars or being serviced/painted, etc., I have had a (800 mA) BT connected to one battery (the C3 Vette) for going on 9 years, and another (the ZR-1) in its 7th year: both* crank like new.

*Both batteries are just Walmart's high-end automotive, maintenance free batteries.

THAT SAID...

The Optima is a a horse of a different color. You'd need to check with the manufacturer of the (BT) to see if it is applicable or adaptible to that battery.

I hear you there Paul.......my concern is that I keep he Z covered in the garage, but I imagine that should not be a problem, as the BT unit would be outside of the vehicle....just have to figure the best way to do it....or I could leave it inside on the floor and leave a window open and still keep the car covered...

[max76]

I have a battery tender connected on the battery too.
Always connected when the Z is in the garage, the car is always covered...
The BT must be always connect to the battery,his job is keep the correct charge of the battery and keep it always ready to use

[93 Vette]

Just use a cigarette lighter adapter and run it out the bottom of the door and then shut the door. Then place the car cover on the car. That's what I do.

Matt

[Roadster]

Originally Posted by max76

I have a battery tender connected on the battery too.
Always connected when the Z is in the garage, the car is always covered...
The BT must be always connect to the battery,his job is keep the correct charge of the battery and keep it always ready to use

Originally Posted by 93 Vette

Just use a cigarette lighter adapter and run it out the bottom of the door and then shut the door. Then place the car cover on the car. That's what I do.

Matt

Right now the car is covered and the BT is on.....Not that it matters much, but do most of you connect directly to the "P" & "N" terminals as opposed to the "P" terminal and a part of the metal structure?
I notice that when I unplugged the unit, for about a minute to plug into a different outlet, its charge went down for a few moments, then within a minute or two, steady green light once again.....
And it is cold here, only in the 20's today, right now 14 degrees......

Thanks for the tips......will have to get the cig light adapter.......

[RussMcB]

BT needs to come up with a new wireless model. We can't be bothered with old-fashioned wires and clips.

[max76]

Originally Posted by Roadster

Right now the car is covered and the BT is on.....Not that it matters much, but do most of you connect directly to the "P" & "N" terminals as opposed to the "P" terminal and a part of the metal structure?
I notice that when I unplugged the unit, for about a minute to plug into a different outlet, its charge went down for a few moments, then within a minute or two, steady green light once again.....
And it is cold here, only in the 20's today, right now 14 degrees......

Thanks for the tips......will have to get the cig light adapter.......

My garage is cold too...I always connect it directly to the battery pole...never the negative on the frame!!! Also because I have a battery saver, like in page 2 or 3...

[batchman]

A few years ago I won a CTek bt at an event. It's been great at keeping my little teeny battery in play a few years, I use it whenever the car is going to sit more than a week or two (like always). I'd rarely get two years out of one of these things but so far so good...

I clip on to the positive battery lead, with the ground clipped to the engine. The clips are fussy on mine as I have regular metric hex bolts.

Cheers,
- Jeff

[Paul Workman]

Originally Posted by batchman

A few years ago I won a CTek bt at an event. It's been great at keeping my little teeny battery in play a few years, I use it whenever the car is going to sit more than a week or two (like always). I'd rarely get two years out of one of these things but so far so good...

I clip on to the positive battery lead, with the ground clipped to the engine. The clips are fussy on mine as I have regular metric hex bolts.

Cheers,
- Jeff

FWIW, I've run an 800mA Battery Tender unit since 2002, replacing it once after it was zapped by a surge during a thunderstorm. I added another 800mA tender 9 years ago and it hasn't failed yet. And, I acquired a dual output unit (used) and so far it still runs: Like a TIMEX watch, they "take a lickin' and keep on tickin'"!

I don't know if the BT (brand) units are mil-spec or not, but rugged the ones I've been using (the 800mA BTs) have proven to be - at least at my "ranch".

[Dynomite]

I know you guys do NOT want to hear this but.......

I am having soooo much fun with Battery Disconnect I cannot stop suggesting it

If I want to work on something electrical......not fire up the LT5 for a couple weeks.......it is SOOOOOOO SIMPLE to just lift the hood and turn the knob a couple turns



There.....I said it
While you guys are tripping over your Battery Tenders