Hi,

I have seen a few posts in this forum that relate to batteries and some of the bad experiences that people have had. I feel like I'm getting to that 'collector' state with 3 Camaros, even though none of them are super-rare or fancy. It seems like no matter how often I'm thinking that I'm driving them, when I go to start a car the battery is dead.

I have several chargers, all are either 2A/6A or 2A/6A/Jump Start. Is a 2A charger low enough to be considered a 'trickle?' I have periodically left a charger on too long and boiled a battery, but I'd like to find something that I could just essentially leave on all of the time.

I had a friend recommend a charger called Battery Tender Plus. It is a 1.25A that appears to come on and off automatically, as the battery needs juice.

I've also seen those quick disconnect devices. Anyone had any experience with those?

Thanks, Z~

 

Your friend is right. Battery Tender is the only one I would use. It's not just a charger. It monitors battery voltage and only charges with battery voltage drops to a point where it needs charged. I even keep my riding tractor on it during the winter and because of it the battery has lasted 6 YEARS.

The Battery Tender has quick disconnect connectors that you can leave on the car at all times for easy plug in when you need it. You can also leave it pluged in 24/7 with no damage to your battery because it cycles on and off as needed.

 

Ditto.... Battery Tender works great. I use the quick connect that came with it. Its got a cover on it so when you disconnect it and tuck it down behind the battery it won't short against anything. Optima Red Top lasted 6 months without the charger, the Delco Professional is now over 6 years old and still fine, and the car sits in the garage (unfortunately) for months on end.

 

I ordered a 4 unit battery tender, and I cannot wait to get it going!!

As an aside, I see some switches that physically disconnect your battery like this:

http://www.calcarcover.com/product.aspx?id=129&cid=

Has anyone ever used something like this?

I guess a car that sits is actually pulling some juice for clocks or something? It seems like my batteries shouldn't really go dead like I feel like they do.

Thanks, Z~

 

Good choice on the purchase. I've got the same unit. During the winter I've got the Z, my bike, and even the mower on it.

Disconnecting the battery is a good idea for short term (a month or so during the summer), but even a disconnected battery will go dead eventaully.

 

So you can literally hook it up, plug it in, and leave it on all of those vehicles for the entire winter and not worry about it overcharging or screwing something else up?!?!?



Z~

 

Unlike a normal battery charger the Battery Tender monitors battery voltage and ONLY charges the battery when voltage drops indicating the battery is loosing it's charge. They sell several other units that are basically 2,3, 4, or even more Battery Tenders in one unit. It will charge each battery based on it's own needs.



OPS, didn't answer your question. YES, you can. I even use it on my riding tractor. It still has the original battery after 6 years.

 

Battery Tender Plus.... use it on my Z28 and motorcycle.