Battery Tenders

[Richard]

I park my tractor away from the house. My backhoe IS within reach of a 100' extension cord so I can put a charger on the hoe if I need/want.....but the tractor is a bit away.

Been thinking on putting a tender on both of them. My tractor has two new batteries (the long skinny 12v type) and the hoe has a more traditional auto "square/rectangular" style battery.

Looking at them you can buy various watt outputs. Seems to me if you leave this on all the time the machine is parked, you are ok getting a smaller one no? (it would come off when machine is in use)

I'm not familiar with these at all......appreciate any wisdom!!

 

[whistlepig]

I have tried a few battery tenders. One of the high dollar battery tenders I bought fried a couple of my batteries when left hooked up. It was solid state with a microprocessor. I have had one of these for a couple of years that I hook to a long extension cord and highly recommend it:

Battery Tender(R) Plus 12V, 1.25A Battery Charger

 

[Seven Gables]

So if your tractor is out of reach of your extension cord I'm assuming your interested in solar powered?

 

[jaxs]

I've been using 3 Deltran Battery Tender Plus 1.25 amp for close to 15 years with good results. They are on something most of the time. Not only are batteries kept at full charge,battery life is dramaticly extended.

 

[kthompson]

I often parked excavator where there is no power and last year got a solar power one. Did not use it a lot but was pleased with it. Not safe to say how effective it was for while it served my well in my opinion it was not where it got a lot of good sunshine.

 

[whistlepig]

I use my Deltran with a 100 foot extension cord. If the tractors/ATV's do not get run during the winter I'll move them close enough to get a charger on them a couple of times during the winter. Most of my equipment is stored a pole barn with no electric service. A 100' extension cord will reach the pole barn.

 

[Sawyer Rob]

I have tried a few battery tenders. One of the high dollar battery tenders I bought fried a couple of my batteries when left hooked up. It was solid state with a microprocessor. I have had one of these for a couple of years that I hook to a long extension cord and highly recommend it:

Battery Tender(R) Plus 12V, 1.25A Battery Charger

I have a few of these same ones, they have been great!

SR

 

[SirMaxwell]

I park my tractor away from the house. My backhoe IS within reach of a 100' extension cord so I can put a charger on the hoe if I need/want.....but the tractor is a bit away.

Been thinking on putting a tender on both of them. My tractor has two new batteries (the long skinny 12v type) and the hoe has a more traditional auto "square/rectangular" style battery.

Looking at them you can buy various watt outputs. Seems to me if you leave this on all the time the machine is parked, you are ok getting a smaller one no? (it would come off when machine is in use)

I'm not familiar with these at all......appreciate any wisdom!!

I've got 6 of these https://www.amazon.com/dp/B004Q820T... 15W Solar Battery Charger&sb-ci-a=B004Q820TQ. Bought between 60-80 bucks each. Have had them now for over 5 years. Use them for Tractor, Cars, Trucks, etc. If it is sitting, it has a Tender on it.

I have a few of the 10W versions, use on Yard Tractors, Motorcycle, Scooter, ATV's etc.

Were they worth it - ABSOLUTELY. Would I buy again, yes, if I need one, I'll buy one. I've had zero failures. On most vehicles I add an accessible power point, so I can just plug it in when needed.

YMMV

Max

 

[whistlepig]

My bad. Didn't know this thread involved Solar Battery Tenders.

 

[fried1765]

I have tried a few battery tenders. One of the high dollar battery tenders I bought fried a couple of my batteries when left hooked up. It was solid state with a microprocessor. I have had one of these for a couple of years that I hook to a long extension cord and highly recommend it:

Battery Tender(R) Plus 12V, 1.25A Battery Charger

I have 5 of the Battery Tender Plus units,
6 of the Battery Tender Jr. units,
4 Battery Minder units.
1 6V Battery Tender.
I 48V Save A Battery Maintainer.

I am away for up to six months at a time, and leave one on every battery, or in the 48V case, bank of batteries.
The little Battery Tender Jr's seem to do the maintaining function just as well as the larger, more expensive, parent Battery Tender Plus version.
The Battery Minders are my favorite.
The NOCO Genius is reported to be another good one.