Best Battery Maintainer

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My CTEK went tango uniform today and I need to replace it. I really don't need a charger just a maintainer.
Have we reached a conclusion on the best maintainer?? It is for my cars.
All opinions and options are welcome.
Yes I've used the search function, but need the latest data.

Thanks

Smoky
 
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Sometimes on the maintainer, connections can go bad and re-soldering them can fix it. Something to give it a try?

Otherwise, subscribed ..
 
I've had one Battery Tender and four Battery Tender Juniors. The former is the way to go. It has a sturdy metal case and stands alone, compared to the Junior where the microprocessor itself plugs into an outlet. One of my Juniors had to be replaced under the manufacturer's five year warranty.

The last time I checked, the full size Battery Tender was on eBay for $49.99 including shipping.
 
I would've said ctek is the one to go with. can you not get it replaced under warranty? I think it has a 5year warranty?

if you bought it grey and not from an authorized seller and no warranty then perhaps ctek deserves another chance.

I would suggest batterytender too if you dont want ctek. it maybe dumber but it should be a solid performer
 
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Took me a second to figure out what Tango Uniform meant...here we say Nipples Skyward
smile.gif
 
I've been using this Schumacher maintainer: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0009IBJAS/ref=oh_aui_search_detailpage?ie=UTF8&psc=1

It's one of the better priced maintainers that have temperature compensation (important to me since my cars and bikes are kept in an unheated detached garage). It's priced a little high on amazon right now, I purchased it back when it was under $20, shipped: https://camelcamelcamel.com/Schumacher-SEM-1562A-CA-Charge-Battery-Maintainer/product/B0009IBJAS

I remember when I was shopping, the Battery Tender was a good option (not the Junior model, no temperature compensation), but it cost a bit more than the Schumacher.
 
you shouldn't go with batteryminder as the best for long term tending because it has a flaw of a high backcurrent drain for the led lights when it is unplugged. if someone accidentally unplugs your batteryminder or it gets knocked out of the socket it will drain your battery completely deaddead within a few days. getting knocked out is easy since it's a relatively heavy and awkward wallwart.

read some of the Amazon 1star reviews or google batteryminder dead battery and this has hit a lot of people. they are worse off than if you didn't use the device as it will suck the battery completely dead.
many of the others have backcurrent drain that is 1/100th as much as batteryminder and negligible compared to the cars selfdrain.

so if you want to use bstteryminder you better have reliable power and tske some precautions to lock the device to the socket. (duct tape?)
 
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I have not used that particular Schumacher maintainer but if it's anything like their regular chargers I would avoid it like the plague. They tend to cook batteries with high voltage.

I do have some experience with clore automotive products like the pro Logix chargers and they are excellent products. They make a good maintainer the Solar PL2140.


SOLAR PL2140 6/12 Volt 4.0 Amp PRO-LOGIX Battery Maintainer
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00U3ZBU2E
 
Originally Posted By: raytseng
you shouldn't go with batteryminder as the best for long term tending because it has a flaw of a high backcurrent drain for the led lights when it is unplugged.

Like I wrote in the other thread, this has not been my experience. When not powered, current drain is actually lower than some of the other chargers/maintainers that I own.

Maybe only a certain BM model had this flaw?
 
Originally Posted By: 901Memphis
I have not used that particular Schumacher maintainer but if it's anything like their regular chargers I would avoid it like the plague. They tend to cook batteries with high voltage.

I do have some experience with clore automotive products like the pro Logix chargers and they are excellent products. They make a good maintainer the Solar PL2140.


SOLAR PL2140 6/12 Volt 4.0 Amp PRO-LOGIX Battery Maintainer
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00U3ZBU2E


If you think a charger would be useful
you could get the 10amp model instead for another 10$
https://www.amazon.com/SOLAR-PL2310-Pro-...1XR9RGNCM8W5X7K
 
I have some better ones but I really can't complain about the $5 maintainers from harbor freight. They work fine to maintain charge, and I think I have 5 or so of them on various batteries. One of which is a hunting truck that only gets used 2 weeks a year and the last battery lasted 9 years and it never failed to start.
 
Originally Posted By: Rand
Originally Posted By: 901Memphis
I have not used that particular Schumacher maintainer but if it's anything like their regular chargers I would avoid it like the plague. They tend to cook batteries with high voltage.

I do have some experience with clore automotive products like the pro Logix chargers and they are excellent products. They make a good maintainer the Solar PL2140.


SOLAR PL2140 6/12 Volt 4.0 Amp PRO-LOGIX Battery Maintainer
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00U3ZBU2E


If you think a charger would be useful
you could get the 10amp model instead for another 10$
https://www.amazon.com/SOLAR-PL2310-Pro-...1XR9RGNCM8W5X7K



Yes I agree but he specifically asked for a maintainer which is why I didn't recommend the charger immediately. The charger is the better value but also much larger if you only maintain.
 
Originally Posted By: 901Memphis
I have not used that particular Schumacher maintainer but if it's anything like their regular chargers I would avoid it like the plague. They tend to cook batteries with high voltage.

I do have some experience with clore automotive products like the pro Logix chargers and they are excellent products. They make a good maintainer the Solar PL2140.


SOLAR PL2140 6/12 Volt 4.0 Amp PRO-LOGIX Battery Maintainer
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00U3ZBU2E


Not even remotely true. Measured it several times with a voltmeter.
 
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