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Topic: Battery tender preference?

in Forum: C3 Electrical

Battery tender preference?

Posted: 7/24/07 12:09pm Message 1 of 17
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San Pedro, CA - USA
Joined: 5/26/2005
Posts: 239
Vette(s): 1971, LT-1, T-top, 4-speed (M21), Mulsanne Blue, 3.70 rear, mostly original (sidepipes). 2006, Daytona Sunset Orange Coupe.
Though my battery is less than a year old, I am considering a batter tender for my Vette since I sometimes let her sit for a month or more.
 
Anyone have advice on type and/or brand?



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Battery tender preference?

Posted: 7/24/07 12:18pm Message 2 of 17
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ANCHORAGE, AK - USA
Joined: 10/12/2004
Posts: 2193
Vette(s): 1965-327 coupe, 1968-small block coupe, 1969-427, 1971-454 coupe and currently a 1976-ZZ4 coupe reborn again,and hotter than ever.. Add a 1996 CE LT-4 for backup
I have a little Black & Decker tender that plugs into the lighter socket, does a fine job all winter and when not in use..cheap, Wal-Mart..Terry




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Battery tender preference?

Posted: 7/24/07 1:45pm Message 3 of 17
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North Charleston, SC - USA
Joined: 3/20/2004
Posts: 4176
Vette(s): 1975 L48 AT AC T-top
I use the one named "Battery Tender Jr". It has been awesome. I have one on the Vette and Harley. Go to http://www.batterytender.com

Scott
ranger32007-07-24 13:48:07


Battery tender preference?

Posted: 7/24/07 2:06pm Message 4 of 17
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East Hanover, NJ - USA
Joined: 9/25/2004
Posts: 525
Vette(s): '68 Black Conv. Matching 327/300 4 Spd. P/S, P/B, P/W, Tele, A/C
I had the Battery Tender jr. & a friend "borrowed" it.  Now I have the regular Battery Tender.
 
Both work really well. Between both, I have been using them since 2004 w/o a problem.
 
Anthony



Battery tender preference?

Posted: 7/24/07 2:33pm Message 5 of 17
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Victor, NY - USA
Joined: 7/12/2004
Posts: 6841
Vette(s): 2004 Commemorative Edition Coupe, Auto w/HUD. 13K miles in 2015. Sold 1982 Red Coupe
[QUOTE=spielman5]I have a little Black & Decker tender that plugs into the lighter socket, does a fine job all winter and when not in use..cheap, Wal-Mart..Terry[/QUOTE]
 
Terry, All winter?  Isn't that 11 months and 2 weeks for you?LOL
 
Mine is a Sears Die Hard. It has alligator clips that hook onto the battery posts. Not as convenient as the cigarette lighter socket. But I only use it from November to April.



 
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Battery tender preference?

Posted: 7/24/07 7:58pm Message 6 of 17
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Duncanville, TX - USA
Joined: 11/8/2003
Posts: 20214
Vette(s): #1-1974 L-48 4spd Cp Med Red Metallic/Black deluxe int w/AC/tilt/tele./p/w-p/b/ Am-Fm/map light National/Regional/Chapter NCRS "Top Flight" #2-1985 Bright Red/Carmine Cp.L-98/auto Member: NCRS, NCRS Texas, Corvette Legends of Texas
I have the "Battery Minder"...only puts out .75 amps in storage mode. Safe for long term keeping. You need one that puts out .75 or less amps to keep from frying the batt. over time.


Joel Adams
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Battery tender preference?

Posted: 7/24/07 10:25pm Message 7 of 17
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SHELBYVILLE, TN - USA
Joined: 7/5/2002
Posts: 3942
Vette(s): 1976 L48 auto

1978 L82 4speed

1994 LT1 6speed
yeah Joel ... once a battery is fully charged, it only needs an "itty bitty" amount of amps to keep it charged, if not it will litterally boil out the water in the acid, and as we all know thats bad..... actually, if its in winter-time(such the case with Terry), a battery will self discharge much slower in colder temps. Come to think of it, i move a lot slower in the winter-time also... hmm... makes ya wonder.....


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Battery tender preference?

Posted: 7/25/07 4:15am Message 8 of 17
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Grand Blanc, MI - USA
Joined: 8/7/2002
Posts: 544
Vette(s): 1979, 350sb, as my kids affectionately call it "shit brown" Corvette purchased in 1996. 84,000+ miles. Not a show car, but I love her just the same.
I have a battery tender for every machine I own with a battery.  Bought all of mine for $5.99 at Harbor Freight.  They have sat for months at a time and every time they fire right up when started.  I believe they also sell a type that can be permanently mounted in the engine bay and all you do is plug an extension cord into them.
 
Just my two cents,



Battery tender preference?

Posted: 7/25/07 7:37am Message 9 of 17
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San Pedro, CA - USA
Joined: 5/26/2005
Posts: 239
Vette(s): 1971, LT-1, T-top, 4-speed (M21), Mulsanne Blue, 3.70 rear, mostly original (sidepipes). 2006, Daytona Sunset Orange Coupe.
[QUOTE=spielman5]I have a little Black & Decker tender that plugs into the lighter socket, does a fine job all winter and when not in use..cheap, Wal-Mart..Terry[/QUOTE]
 
Just exactly how does this work if the battery charger plugs into the lighter socket, which runs off the battery........is this some kind of perpetual motion device?Wink
 
Thanks for all of the feedback, guys. Looks like I have several really good products from which to choose!Thumbs%20Up



Battery tender preference?

Posted: 7/25/07 7:56am Message 10 of 17
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Port Orchard, WA - USA
Joined: 6/20/2005
Posts: 4066
Vette(s): 1978 Indy Pace Car 4851 of 6502, Auto, L-48
Don't really know the brand but I bought it at Walmart like Terry (not B&D) but it works great.  It charges the vette up to 12v and then shuts off, as the voltage drops it will maintain it at 12v.  I left my vette on it all last winter never a problem starting.


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