What is the best battery charger setup is for multiple vehicles? I need to buy two more chargers, so I can keep two cars and one Motorcycle on all the time. I currently move the one Tender/Minder/Charger around the Basement to each vehicle every few weeks. I hate having the cord draped across the floor, as my basement is tight. I wish they made a retractable unit that would hang from the ceiling.
Battery Tender and Trickle Chargers
- Thread starter snipes
- Start date
gunguy
Well-known member
Maybe a small boat cleat attached to the ceiling to wrap the cord on to? Perhaps a retractable cord reel could be made from an old tape measure? Just thinking out loud.
Has to be one on the internet somewhere.
Jim
Has to be one on the internet somewhere.
Jim
niget2002
Well-known member
I use the NOCO genius battery tenders. I bought a bunch of the extensions and run the extensions along the ceiling. Then they drop down at the battery of each vehicle.
They make a 4-battery tender:
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0068EV26I/?tag=atomicindus08-20
I have two separate units. One in the garage for the bike and one in the shop for the lawn tractor.
They make a 4-battery tender:
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0068EV26I/?tag=atomicindus08-20
I have two separate units. One in the garage for the bike and one in the shop for the lawn tractor.
nadogail
Well-known member
My van which dosent get driven often enougth to keep the battery up has a small solar panel behind the windshield on top of the dash, this has worked for years.
I don't park the van in the garage, your solar exposure may be less than mine.
I don't park the van in the garage, your solar exposure may be less than mine.
Last edited:
4xdog
Well-known member
I have one of the older Battery Tender models when they were still in a metal "box". It was kind of awkward to place around the vehicle, even when I added rubber bumpers to the bottom to help prevent scratching and slipping. My double-sided tape bumpers wouldn't stay put, and the battery that was being tended somehow shorted or something and puked acid over the top of it. I've since sidelined that Battery Tender, although TBH I have no idea if it was involved causing the issue with the 8-year old battery in my rarely-driven vintage Triumph TR.
The smaller plastic-cased Battery Tender models might be better, but I've moved away from the brand.
I've had a small CTEK on my motorbike for years, with the cord strung across the garage ceiling from an outlet mounted there until it drops straight down to the 'bike. The 0.8 A CTEK is small and light and easily hung from its own cord.
I now have a second CTEK (a slightly larger approx 4 A one similar to THIS current one in their line) that keeps batteries in my Lexus RX or two Tacomas ready to go.
I have CTEK Comfort Indicator eyelet connectors like THIS attached to all my batteries, so it's a matter of two seconds to connect a charger to the pigtail, and the LEDs on the pigtail give a constant state of charge indication. I like those connectors.
So, a lightweight maintainer can drop from its own cord right to the point where the battery's located for nicely out-of-the-way cord management.
The smaller plastic-cased Battery Tender models might be better, but I've moved away from the brand.
I've had a small CTEK on my motorbike for years, with the cord strung across the garage ceiling from an outlet mounted there until it drops straight down to the 'bike. The 0.8 A CTEK is small and light and easily hung from its own cord.
I now have a second CTEK (a slightly larger approx 4 A one similar to THIS current one in their line) that keeps batteries in my Lexus RX or two Tacomas ready to go.
I have CTEK Comfort Indicator eyelet connectors like THIS attached to all my batteries, so it's a matter of two seconds to connect a charger to the pigtail, and the LEDs on the pigtail give a constant state of charge indication. I like those connectors.
So, a lightweight maintainer can drop from its own cord right to the point where the battery's located for nicely out-of-the-way cord management.
66HertzClone
ALLIANCE MEMBER
I use one for my Mustang, I purchased a 1/4" phono plug and socket for this. Mounted the female socket to the grill support bar behind the grill, ran wires to the positive connection of the battery to the solenoid and the ground to the ground point on the block. I used a two pole connector on the leads from the battery maintainer so I could connect the male phono plug or clamps if needed.
When I have the charger connected to the car I don't have to open the hood, just insert the plug into the female socket, nice, clean, and easy.
When I have the charger connected to the car I don't have to open the hood, just insert the plug into the female socket, nice, clean, and easy.
too bad you didnt ask yesterday, they had them on sale for $35. this is the model i have been using for 3 of my cars, works great. Also use it to charge dead batteries and my kids power wheels. https://slickdeals.net/f/13982165-n...-woot-34-99?src=SiteSearchV2_SearchBarV2Algo1
Jeepster04
Well-known member
- Joined
- Jun 25, 2013
- Messages
- 3,102
I've had a 4 bank battery tender for a few years now. I bought the 20' extension cords for it and it works fantastic.
I've not tried running them from the ceiling yet.
I've not tried running them from the ceiling yet.
niget2002
Well-known member
Do you have an empty 'plug' you put in it when it's not charging? Any concern of something getting into the 1/4" plug and shorting the battery terminals?
kabinenroller
Well-known member
I have a few Battery Tenders (brand name) and a couple of YUASA (brand name) maintainers. The BT works OK but I prefer the YUASA. Also have one C tech charger that is used exclusively for my wife’s Audi, it works fine except it is somewhat clumsy to use.
oldwino
ALLIANCE MEMBER
I had two AutoMeter units. Both died within days of the one year warranty period. Switched to Battery Tender about 6 months ago so no reliability report yet
I have a ten year old two battery Battery Tender to keep my boats two batteries charged thru the Nj winter. I have the charger in my garden shed and a 20 foot dc extension with two pole power plugs to reach the boat. On the side of the boat I have a matching waterproof connector wired to the battery. A plus of having the charger in the shed is it has status lights to show the charge is getting to the batteries. I checked every time I was in the shed during the winter.
Stuart in MN
Well-known member
Do you really need to keep them on chargers? If they only sit unused for a few weeks the batteries shouldn't discharge too far to be able to start them. If they sit unused for longer periods, disconnect the batteries. They should be good for six months or more without needing a charge.
LifeLongWNYer
Well-known member
I've been using BatteryTenders for years and have had good luck. My John Deere zero turn mower is 13 years old, and still on the original battery, I just replaced the battery in my 77 Jeep, and that battery was 10 years old when it finally died.
About a year ago, we had a utility company power surge, which blew up a number of my appliances. Four of my seven BatteryTenders died, and even though they were long out of warranty, BatteryTender sent me brand new replacements.
.
About a year ago, we had a utility company power surge, which blew up a number of my appliances. Four of my seven BatteryTenders died, and even though they were long out of warranty, BatteryTender sent me brand new replacements.
.
SGKent
Banned
I have a CTEK unit. You can buy the extra dongles that go on the battery. It plugs into them. Right now with the shelter in place order we don't go out much so I charge the cars about once every 10 days. Takes me 2 minutes tops to move it and that includes popping the hood.
One of these is on each car battery:
One of these is on each car battery:
true that
SILVERPLATE
Well-known member
I use five Battery Tender brand units in my garage. A couple of them for more than twenty years, no issues, continues to be reliable.
Trapps
ALLIANCE MEMBER
You could string the (extended) leads from hooks or eye screws from the ceiling. Run to a point over the access on each vehicle, then drop down. Might look spider web-ish but would keep the lines out of your way.
Also, count me as another endorsement for Deltran Battery Tenders (I run 2 units on my motorcycles)
Also, count me as another endorsement for Deltran Battery Tenders (I run 2 units on my motorcycles)
66HertzClone
ALLIANCE MEMBER
I forgot to add that I have a rubber plug to seal the open end of the socket when I'm driving the car.
Thanks all the great ideas. Some day I will track down the current draws, but until then I will have to get the cars on chargers. 4xDOG and SGKent have me looking at the CTEK chargers. The glowing charge light on the pigtail seems like a satisfying reminder to plug in cars (dark basement). I guess the marking department got me with a 10 cent flashing LED...
HenryAZ
MEMBER EMERITUS
I forget where I finally found them, but someone makes longer (6 ft) cords with the ring terminals on one end and the Battery Tender/BatterMinder type plug on the other end. These are longer than the ones included with the chargers, and allow you to reach the grill of the vehicle and have the plug end stick out, so you can plug in without having to raise the hood.
LS6 Tommy
Well-known member
Since I can't seem to get rid of old things that work, I go low tech. I use Dad's old Dayton trickle charger he got when I was a kid. He installed a red light that used to turn off (or turn on) when the battery is charged. Come to think of it, I need to replace the alligator clips.
Tommy
Tommy
sz0k30
Well-known member
Been running 3 Battery Tenders for probably close to 20 years. Never had an issue.
4xdog
Well-known member
Here's the CTEK indicator pigtail on my 2003 Tacoma's battery, showing state-of-charge satisfyingly green.
The pigtail isn't terribly long, but on the three cars and one 'bike where I have them, in each case the indicator/connector will reach outside the vehicle so they can be hooked to the charger and disconnected without raising the hood (or seat). Note that in this photo the foreshortening makes the connector look larger than it is in real life.
PhantomEB
Well-known member
I have one of the ‘Battery Tender’ brand with quick connect on the quad. Never considered one for the bronco. Everything else here gets driven weekly or day in and day out.
One these days I will get me one of the nice big floor standing charger/boosters as well a deionizer I think it’s called.
One these days I will get me one of the nice big floor standing charger/boosters as well a deionizer I think it’s called.
Dan in Pasadena
Well-known member
I'll get flamed for this but two pages and no one is using the Harbor Freight ones?
I have one on my '55 Chevy truck. No problems at all. it charges and shuts off as needed
I have one on my '55 Chevy truck. No problems at all. it charges and shuts off as needed
Last edited:
LS6 Tommy
Well-known member
You have a HF battery charger and there's been no flames yet? You've been lucky.
Tommy
Dan in Pasadena
Well-known member
Trickle charger. I was a little concerned about it when I got it. I've checked it many times, never even warm. Shuts itself off routinely with no issues.
No one has any confidence in them, huh?
No one has any confidence in them, huh?
Kevkx125
Well-known member
Battery tender brand here myself, no issue's yet.
MattRMagnum
Well-known member
I went through two of them* before giving up and coughing up the cash for a BatteryTender brand. I've since bought several more, and will attest that the o-rings you can attach to the battery, and then install the cabling for quick connecting/disconnecting is fantastic. Regardless of what brand you choose, make sure you get one with this feature. Super nice.
* First one had broken clamps, and I didn't notice until I got home. Store insisted I broke it, despite the purchase having been less than 30 minutes prior. After enough haranguing, they agreed to replace it. That unit lasted me about 6 months when it miraculously died during a power outage (despite being plugged into a surge protector, and nothing else on that power strip being impacted at all).
Vintage Veloce
Well-known member
For many years I used the old "Batttery Tender" brand. But a while back I moved to CTEK and I much prefer those to the Noco.
I even did some reviews for my blog...
CTEK vs Noco:
https://www.vintageveloce.com/2012/10/choosing-battery-charger-ctek-or-noco.html
Lithium chargers:
https://www.vintageveloce.com/2017/06/lithium-lifepo4-battery-charger-review.html
I even did some reviews for my blog...
CTEK vs Noco:
https://www.vintageveloce.com/2012/10/choosing-battery-charger-ctek-or-noco.html
Lithium chargers:
https://www.vintageveloce.com/2017/06/lithium-lifepo4-battery-charger-review.html
I only use BatteryMinder and BatterySaver brands after having a Battery Tender brand quit on me after three years.
https://www.batteryminders.com
https://www.batterysaver.com
Which ever you choose, ensure it will keep your batteries desulfated (the better brands will do this).
My Harley batteries now last 10+ years instead of 2-3.
https://www.batteryminders.com
https://www.batterysaver.com
Which ever you choose, ensure it will keep your batteries desulfated (the better brands will do this).
My Harley batteries now last 10+ years instead of 2-3.
charger0926
Well-known member
Jeepster04
Well-known member
- Joined
- Jun 25, 2013
- Messages
- 3,102
Mine have rubber plugs and a fuse.
SGKent
Banned
Using the CTEK MXS 5.0. Here is a link to the specs. I really like it, and at age 70 I have used a lot of different battery charging systems. It has a cycle that helps desulfate batteries if they aren't too far gone. Page 3 gives the charging waveforms and voltages. These are quite a bit different than standard battery maintainers. https://www.ctek.com/storage/ma/3f8...D8EB07FE2E6CAA66/MXS_5.0-manual-low-UK-EN.pdf