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Posted by: draganc Nov 29 2014, 05:06 PM

My HF battery charger crapped out on me after 3 years - I guess it lasted long enough.

Looking for a smart battery charger recommendations, NOT tender.

Budget; $50-100

Thanks, DC

Posted by: GeorgeRud Nov 29 2014, 07:02 PM

I've had good luck using a Bettery Tender by Deltran, though I think there are some newer designs out there that may be 'smarter'. It may also depend on the type of battery you have in your car as the AGM ones may need a different type of charger.

Posted by: PThompson509 Nov 30 2014, 12:02 PM

I also use Battery Tender - they have a lot of different models but one thing they are all good at is not drying out your battery. I've had one in my wife's 911 for 15 years now - works great! The one in my 914 is about 8 years old now.

Posted by: struckn Nov 30 2014, 08:56 PM

QUOTE(draganc @ Nov 29 2014, 03:06 PM)

My HF battery charger crapped out on me after 3 years - I guess it lasted long enough.

Looking for a smart battery charger recommendations, NOT tender.

Budget; $50-100

Thanks, DC

DC, From your comment "NOT TENDER", what is your concern?
I use, as do most the "Motor Tender". It will slowly recharge a dead battery then switch automatically to the Tender Mode.

Other then a Battery Tender, Most new Battery Chargers are the same but look for one with a Meter, and either a Timer, or Automatic Drop Off Charge when fully Charged. Also Dual rated is nice to have for switching from either 2Amp or 10Amp, and 6 Volt or 12 Volt. If charging Deep Cycle Batteries a slow 2A Charge is best if you're not in a hurry. Remember that with Car Batteries when charged quickly they heat up and Vent which for a 914 is not a good thing, if you don't want rust.

Posted by: Eric_Shea Nov 30 2014, 08:59 PM

I've been really happy with BT Jr.'s on everything. Did you have a problem with one?

Posted by: URY914 Nov 30 2014, 09:20 PM

There is a lot of bad talk about Battery Tenders on the web. Check out buyer feedback on Amazon.

The Schumacher brand seems to get high marks.

Posted by: RobW Nov 30 2014, 09:42 PM

I've had rotten luck with BTs. Now I just try to keep it charged.

Posted by: JmuRiz Nov 30 2014, 09:45 PM

I've used/have a battery tender (motorcycles and my old MB), Schumacher (914), and C-TEK (6-V for the 356). C-TEK has some really cool features and I'd buy another when I have to.
They all work just fine, however.
All mine are old school batteries, not sure how an Optima works with different types.

Side note: best thing ever is a jump box. I wish they made a battery charger that could jumpstart when plugged into a wall...

Posted by: cary Nov 30 2014, 09:56 PM

I like Eric use BT Jr's. Have worked really well.
One on the 914, one on the 911, one on my bench battery, one on my 4-wheeler and one on the riding lawn mower.

Posted by: eric9144 Nov 30 2014, 11:22 PM

I have a bunch of vehicles and have nearly everything on a tender of some sort. For a long time the best thing out there was the Deltran Battery Tender...however will so many tech changes in the battery market the offerings have changed and now there are better options.

For the most part the BT's are a perfect solution, however they don't do it all and do have some short comings. Recently other players have hit the market and offer more features than "just" float charging, like desulfation and various battery checks, reconditioning etc...

If I had nothing and was going to buy one, I'd buy a CTEC for $57 because it does all those "extra" things and does them quite well...
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B006G14FK8/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o02_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Battery Tender $47.99
http://www.amazon.com/Deltran-Battery-Tender-021-0128-Charger/dp/B00068XCQU/ref=sr_1_2?s=automotive&ie=UTF8&qid=1417411306&sr=1-2&keywords=Battery+tender

I currently have 5 BT's and the one CTEC so I tend to move the CTEC around monthly. The CTEC is AGM and gel battery friendly (works great on my 10+ yr old optima).

Buy a CTEC

Posted by: eric9144 Nov 30 2014, 11:25 PM

QUOTE(JmuRiz @ Nov 30 2014, 07:45 PM)

I wish they made a battery charger that could jumpstart when plugged into a wall...

Check these out, have seen them in use in person and I'll be buying one shortly, amazing power tech! http://themicrostart.com

Posted by: Rleog Dec 1 2014, 05:10 AM

I had a BT Jr. for quite awhile and liked it. When it quit working, about 6 months ago, I bought a CTEK Multi US 3300 from Amazon. As Eric mentions above, it's a better unit.

Posted by: Phoenix914 Dec 1 2014, 07:47 AM

Here is another option in smart battery chargers.

http://tecmate.com/

I don't have experience with one, but I plan to buy one at some point. Honda has branded the Optimate 3 model with their name and sell them in Honda motorcycle shops.

Posted by: SLITS Dec 1 2014, 01:00 PM

I use the HF one that says not to use it on Gel Cell or AGM batteries.

Haven't ruined my Optima yet.

Posted by: draganc Dec 1 2014, 01:42 PM

Thanks for all the inputs!

I use battery tenders on my bikes w/o problems.
However, if I have a empty battery, the tender takes forever to charge it, hence my "not" tender comment.

My dad use to have a "smart" charge that would charge the battery and than switch to a tender mode, that's what I'm after now.

Thanks again!

Posted by: eric9144 Dec 1 2014, 02:59 PM

QUOTE(draganc @ Dec 1 2014, 11:42 AM)

However, if I have a empty battery, the tender takes forever to charge it, hence my "not" tender comment.

That was also my problem--I'm 'baby sitting' my brother in law's truck while he's on deployment (Navy) and I had the battery tender on the truck...Little did I know the battery was actually failing and the tender thought all was OK.

Green light on tender, dead cell on battery, no start

Posted by: draganc Dec 1 2014, 04:04 PM

I guess I have boiled it down to following two options:

http://www.amazon.com/Schumacher-SE-1555A-Automatic-Battery-Charger/dp/B006PAGJXQ/ref=sr_1_33?m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&s=automotive&ie=UTF8&qid=1417469782&sr=1-33&keywords=automatic+battery+charger

or

http://www.amazon.com/Schumacher-SSC-1000A-SpeedCharge-Battery-Maintainer/dp/B0009IBJE4/ref=sr_1_2?s=automotive&ie=UTF8&qid=1417471135&sr=1-2&keywords=SSC-1500

Any comments? 50/50 joker? phone joker?

Posted by: Steve Dec 1 2014, 04:22 PM

QUOTE(draganc @ Dec 1 2014, 02:04 PM)

I guess I have boiled it down to following two options:

http://www.amazon.com/Schumacher-SE-1555A-Automatic-Battery-Charger/dp/B006PAGJXQ/ref=sr_1_33?m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&s=automotive&ie=UTF8&qid=1417469782&sr=1-33&keywords=automatic+battery+charger

or

http://www.amazon.com/Schumacher-SSC-1000A-SpeedCharge-Battery-Maintainer/dp/B0009IBJE4/ref=sr_1_2?s=automotive&ie=UTF8&qid=1417471135&sr=1-2&keywords=SSC-1500

Any comments? 50/50 joker? phone joker?

Thanks for sharing!! I am a cheap bastard.... I have a Sears battery charger to test and charge the battery and I also rewired the cigarette lighter fused to the battery. This allows me to plug a battery maintainer directly into the cigarette lighter to maintain the battery. Quick and easy between hibernation's!!

Posted by: eric9144 Dec 1 2014, 04:57 PM

The smaller one is rated better overall, also is 3# compared to 30# so moving it around is easier, has all the wiz bang features, desulfation, reconditioning, speed and trickle etc...

That and the fact that they wont sell them in CA tells me it must be good

Posted by: thelogo Dec 1 2014, 05:12 PM

[quote name='draganc' date='Nov 29 2014, 03:06 PM' post='2116378']
My HF battery charger crapped out on me after 3 years - I guess it lasted long enough.

Looking for a smart battery charger recommendations, NOT tender.

Budget; $50-100

Thanks, DC
[/quote

http://m.homedepot.com/p/BLACK-DECKER-120-Volt-Battery-Maintainer-BM3B/202710992?cm_mmc=Shopping%7cG%7cBase%7cPLA%7cD25T%7cTools&gclid=Cj0KEQiAwPCjBRDZp9LWno3p7rEBEiQAGj3KJk9uoiFuP4BE-2QqDhOgx3pe5R_9HgY0RSKa1cmTGuQaAk2q8P8HAQ&gclsrc=aw.ds

This is only 20 bucks and had been great for me .

Shout out to the cheap sob

Posted by: Steve Dec 1 2014, 05:39 PM

[quote name='thelogo' date='Dec 1 2014, 03:12 PM' post='2117125']
[quote name='draganc' date='Nov 29 2014, 03:06 PM' post='2116378']
My HF battery charger crapped out on me after 3 years - I guess it lasted long enough.

Looking for a smart battery charger recommendations, NOT tender.

Budget; $50-100

Thanks, DC
[/quote

http://m.homedepot.com/p/BLACK-DECKER-120-Volt-Battery-Maintainer-BM3B/202710992?cm_mmc=Shopping%7cG%7cBase%7cPLA%7cD25T%7cTools&gclid=Cj0KEQiAwPCjBRDZp9LWno3p7rEBEiQAGj3KJk9uoiFuP4BE-2QqDhOgx3pe5R_9HgY0RSKa1cmTGuQaAk2q8P8HAQ&gclsrc=aw.ds

This is only 20 bucks and had been great for me .

Shout out to the cheap sob
[/quote]

Thanks!! This looks better than the cheap AC adapter looking POS I have, even though I have never had a problem with it. At least this has a light on it!!

Posted by: Seaside6 Dec 1 2014, 11:06 PM

CTEK mus 4.3 - Smart Charger

http://www.amazon.com/CTEK-56-864-MUS-12-VoltBattery-Charger/dp/B006G14FK8

Posted by: Silver Surfer Dec 2 2014, 04:14 PM

[/quote

http://m.homedepot.com/p/BLACK-DECKER-120-Volt-Battery-Maintainer-BM3B/202710992?cm_mmc=Shopping%7cG%7cBase%7cPLA%7cD25T%7cTools&gclid=Cj0KEQiAwPCjBRDZp9LWno3p7rEBEiQAGj3KJk9uoiFuP4BE-2QqDhOgx3pe5R_9HgY0RSKa1cmTGuQaAk2q8P8HAQ&gclsrc=aw.ds

This is only 20 bucks and had been great for me .

Shout out to the cheap sob
[/quote]

I'll vouch for this one. I've had it for two years and it hasn't let me down yet. Well worth the steep pricetag.

Posted by: draganc Dec 17 2014, 11:29 AM

Just a follow up that I went this charger:

http://www.amazon.com/Schumacher-SSC-1000A-SpeedCharge-Battery-Maintainer/dp/B0009IBJE4/ref=sr_1_2?s=automotive&ie=UTF8&qid=1417471135&sr=1-2&keywords=SSC-1500

It works for the moment. Will update if I see any problems.

Thanks again for all the inputs!

Posted by: Dion Dec 17 2014, 06:32 PM

I've had a Optima battery in teener since 05'. On second
Optima now. First one lasted 8yrs on Battery Tender.
I still use BT. I also have a Schumacher. Honestly they have
both performed fine with no issues. Good luck.

Posted by: draganc Apr 17 2015, 09:54 PM

Just a FYI, the charger has been working very well the past few winter months. I have used it on std. batteries and even w/o any problems on my bike's LiFe battery.

I forgot the light and it completely drained the LiFe battery. It was charged within a 1.5 hrs!!

Well impressed.

Posted by: JmuRiz Apr 18 2015, 11:23 AM

Had a Schumacher in my 914, have ctek 6-v in the 356 and like it. I'll probably get a 12-v ctek when I put the 914 back together. They have some cool maintenance features.

Also have a jump box handy if needed (same as the griots one w/o the name up charge)

Posted by: thieuster Apr 18 2015, 12:47 PM

QUOTE(eric9144 @ Dec 1 2014, 07:22 AM)

I have a bunch of vehicles and have nearly everything on a tender of some sort. For a long time the best thing out there was the Deltran Battery Tender...however will so many tech changes in the battery market the offerings have changed and now there are better options.

For the most part the BT's are a perfect solution, however they don't do it all and do have some short comings. Recently other players have hit the market and offer more features than "just" float charging, like desulfation and various battery checks, reconditioning etc...

If I had nothing and was going to buy one, I'd buy a CTEC for $57 because it does all those "extra" things and does them quite well...
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B006G14FK8/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o02_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Battery Tender $47.99
http://www.amazon.com/Deltran-Battery-Tender-021-0128-Charger/dp/B00068XCQU/ref=sr_1_2?s=automotive&ie=UTF8&qid=1417411306&sr=1-2&keywords=Battery+tender

I currently have 5 BT's and the one CTEC so I tend to move the CTEC around monthly. The CTEC is AGM and gel battery friendly (works great on my 10+ yr old optima).

Buy a CTEC

^^^^ this ^^^^ I own a few CTECs for all my cars (need to buy another one for the Teener). Idiot proof and always a healthy battery!

Menno

Posted by: Andyrew Apr 18 2015, 04:03 PM

http://www.cyclegear.com/DURABOOST-Battery-Maintainer-750

I use this one for my bike. I dont keep a battery in the 914 or I would do one there as well (I Have used it on the 914 when I did have a battery in there).

Posted by: Maltese Falcon Apr 18 2015, 04:31 PM

QUOTE(Dion @ Dec 17 2014, 05:32 PM)