Battery Tender - if it's good enough for them... Options

[skaufmann]

Just a passing tip.

I bought a Battery Tender a couple weeks ago (easily found on Amazon) to keep my battery topped while I troubleshoot my alternator/wiring issue. Just this weekend while in LA, I took our New Zealander car nut guest to the Peterson Automotive Museum.

Besides a Bugatti Veyron, Elvis' Yellow Pantera he shot on multiple occasions because it wouldn't start (Fords...), and an elusive '88 Porsche 959 in the picture below, every car was hooked up to a Battery Tender hiding under each car. I was already very happy with the charger (price and reviews) so when I saw these cars all hooked up to one, I thought to myself that it was good enough for me.

Anyone in the market for one should definitely consider it. It's not full of bells and whistles, it doesn't even have a button or knob. It's a set-and-forget type of charger. Great for the non-daily drivers or for that battery sitting in you garage. It's very affordable too.

[PlaysWithCars]

For what it's worth. I used to use the inexpensive Harbor Freight units too until one fried a battery and boiled it over; lots of work to clean up. Doing the post mortim on it, I found it was putting out 18V. Got me thinking about the others I was using. Out of 3 of them, 2 were way too high for voltage.

I've since invested in a Battery Minder unit and love it. I got one that can charge AGM as well as wet cell batteries and does desulfation while in float mode (fantastic for recovering batteries). Everytime I've checked it voltage is right on.

Harbor Freight has some inexpensive tools that do the job, but they also have some cheap tools. I'm staying away from there float chargers since my experience.

[Rand]

For what it's worth. I used to use the inexpensive Harbor Freight units too until one fried a battery and boiled it over; lots of work to clean up. Doing the post mortim on it, I found it was putting out 18V. Got me thinking about the others I was using. Out of 3 of them, 2 were way too high for voltage.

I've since invested in a Battery Minder unit and love it. I got one that can charge AGM as well as wet cell batteries and does desulfation while in float mode (fantastic for recovering batteries). Everytime I've checked it voltage is right on.

Harbor Freight has some inexpensive tools that do the job, but they also have some cheap tools. I'm staying away from there float chargers since my experience.

I hear you.
I've had no trouble over the past couple of winters. If it had been putting out too much voltage I would have exchanged it.
Point: If you buy a HF unit, check it with a meter. If it is within spec, you save a ton of money. If not, exchange it for free.
If money is no object and/or you don't want to see if it is in spec for yourself, buy the brand name.