Batteries -- what is the dif?

[fried1765]

That is a lot of chargers, and a good strategy.

You have had some Tender failures? What about Minder failures? How many years do you get out of each?

I have had four Battery Tender failures.
All were within the 10yr. warranty, but two were only 4 years old (I bought them at COSTCO - makes me wonder).
As I recall, Deltran required that the owner pay shipping both ways in the past.
That turned me off on Battery Tenders.

The shipping payment both ways has apparently changed now.
I now look for the temp compensated Battery Minders on sale.
I have only had Minders for 4 years, with no failures yet.

 

[fried1765]

That is a lot of chargers, and a good strategy.

You have had some Tender failures? What about Minder failures? How many years do you get out of each?

I have had four battery tender failures.
All were in warranty, but two were only 4 years old (I bought them at COSTCO - makes me wonder).
As I recall, Deltran required that the owner pay shipping both ways in the past.

That turned me off on Battery Tenders.
Apparently now, only the return to Deltran shipping cost is paid by the owner.
I now shop for the temp compensated Battery Minders on sale.

 

[oldballs]

I just yesterday bought a lead acid Group 65 Walmart EverStart MAXX for my '99 truck. I put it on the Battery Tender Maintainer about 6-7 hours ago all by itself, before installation.. But it still does not show full charge. It has a 2-20 sticker on it. Shouldn't it be fully charged by now?

Thanks TBN'ers.
Mike

 

[dfkrug]

I just yesterday bought a lead acid Group 65 Walmart EverStart MAXX for my '99 truck. I put it on the Battery Tender Maintainer about 6-7 hours ago all by itself, before installation.. But it still does not show full charge. It has a 2-20 sticker on it. Shouldn't it be fully charged by now?

My smaller Battery Tender puts out less than 1A in charge mode. Their bigger models put out more. If you have a small BT, it may take days to charge a large battery that has been discharged.

I also have something called a "Battery Manager II", made by Griot's Garage. 1.5A, no pulsing.

 

[dragoneggs]

My smaller Battery Tender puts out less than 1A in charge mode. Their bigger models put out more. If you have a small BT, it may take days to charge a large battery that has been discharged.

I also have something called a "Battery Manager II", made by Griot's Garage. 1.5A, no pulsing.

I thought the idea is not to charge up a depleted but to keep them 'topped off'. I have a higher amp charger for that purpose hoping I don't have to use it.

 

[ultrarunner]

Northern just sent me an email 50% off the small battery minder... $30 off with new price $29.99

Out of character for me I ordered several thousands dollars first week of December for Christmas but was disappointed that items promised for Christmas arrived much later... After New Years for the Battery Minder Solar Charger I bought for my brothers place.

At first the staff was most responsive as they provided a new estimated ship date... but then nothing when I emailed saying if you cant deliver Christmas then cancel...

In the 90's I bought a lot from Northern for my property management company... Generator, Cordless Bosch, Pressure Washer, etc... and the same thing happened... so didn't buy anything for 25 years and as luck would have it history did repeat...

I realize they don't make the products so maybe my expectations are unrealistic?

But they sure do fill my inbox!

 

[dragoneggs]

Northern just sent me an email 50% off the small battery minder... $30 off with new price $29.99

Out of character for me I ordered several thousands dollars first week of December for Christmas but was disappointed that items promised for Christmas arrived much later... After New Years for the Battery Minder Solar Charger I bought for my brothers place.

At first the staff was most responsive as they provided a new estimated ship date... but then nothing when I emailed saying if you cant deliver Christmas then cancel...

In the 90's I bought a lot from Northern for my property management company... Generator, Cordless Bosch, Pressure Washer, etc... and the same thing happened... so didn't buy anything for 25 years and as luck would have it history did repeat...

I realize they don't make the products so maybe my expectations are unrealistic?

But they sure do fill my inbox!

Was about to ask you to post your coupon... a little google and wahlaa! Is this the right one to jump on?

https://www.northerntool.com/shop/t...dVNboxD6U0hOMn99E8l0qIrM11LKMvl8aAh2yEALw_wcB

 

[dfkrug]

I thought the idea is not to charge up a depleted but to keep them 'topped off'. I have a higher amp charger for that purpose hoping I don't have to use it.

You mean not to use a low-current maintainer to charge up a large battery from depleted?

A higher-current charger would certainly be faster, but there is nothing wrong with slow-charging a depleted battery. Unless you need it soon. I used my 2A, 4A, and 6A chargers, but never leave them on overnight.

 

[oldballs]

Thanks dfkrug.........The new, off the shelf, truck battery did come up to full charge after about ten hours on the Deltran 1.25 amp maintainer. I guess using a bigger amp charger would have done it quicker and all is well with the new battery.

Thanks again,
Mike

 

[John_Mc]

That is a lot of chargers, and a good strategy.

You have had some Tender failures? What about Minder failures? How many years do you get out of each?

I've got a BatteryMINDer model 12117 that is approaching 20 years old and still going strong. Because it's so old, I keep it on one of my less critical and rarely used batteries. I keep expecting it is going to die any time now, but it keeps on chugging along. It's the bottom end of their line-up and no longer made (they do still make a 12117TC, which adds Temperature compensation to the old model. I believe this one is sold only through Northern Tool).

My full BatteryMinder line-up consists of models 12117, 1500, 12248, 2012 AGM, 128CEC1, and a 244CEC1-AA-S5 (24 volt specialty aviation charger). These range in age from 19 years for the 12117 to about 2 years for the aviation charger. In all my years of ownership, and across all the models, I've only had one fail: my previous 24V aviation charger was damaged by a power surge when a violent storm and high winds cause damaged the airplane hanger in which it was used. The charger was 6 months out of warranty, and the cause of failure was certainly not due to a failure of design or a manufacturing defect. They still gave me a significant discount on their current model. I've given away several of their Model 1500 / 1510 as gifts over the past 5 years or so, and all are still running well.

So yeah, I'm pretty happy with their designs, their longevity, and how they stand behind them.

 

[dragoneggs]

I like giving away them as gifts to family members as well for Xmas. I get half hearted thank you’s at the time and another thank you later saying They really like it.

 

[John_Mc]

You mean not to use a low-current maintainer to charge up a large battery from depleted?

A higher-current charger would certainly be faster, but there is nothing wrong with slow-charging a depleted battery. Unless you need it soon. I used my 2A, 4A, and 6A chargers, but never leave them on overnight.

Actually, the large AGM battery I use to power the hydraulic pump on my dump trailer had a recommended minimum charge rate (something like 7 amps, if I recall). Fortunately one of my AGM compatible chargers will do an 8 amp charge rate, so that's the one I use for that battery.

I did contact the manufacturer to ask if it was OK to use a 1 or 2 amp maintainer to keep it topped off once it was charged up, and there response was "sure, as long as you are using the appropriate float voltage" (Turns out, the charger I am using does have the appropriate float voltage when set on its AGM setting. It's slightly low for that AGM battery when the charger is set on the "flooded lead acid" setting. They said it will not damage the battery, but that it will not stay 100% full if floated at that lower voltage.)

 

[John_Mc]

Was about to ask you to post your coupon... a little google and wahlaa! Is this the right one to jump on?

https://www.northerntool.com/shop/t...dVNboxD6U0hOMn99E8l0qIrM11LKMvl8aAh2yEALw_wcB

That is basically my almost 20 year old charger, but with temperature compensation added and a few other upgrades. At one point it was sold exclusively by Northern Tool. I'm not sure if that is still the case, but is is definitely limited distribution. The model does not even show up on the BatteryMinder website.

I studied up on these a lot over the years. The 12117TC is a decent performer, and is probably the least expensive temperature compensated desulfating maintainer I've found. If you are looking for an inexpensive way to get into this, it's a safe choice. However, I ended up settling on their model 1500 or 1510 (whichever happens to be on sale) as my choice for a small, low-amperage, desulfating battery maintainer (Unfortunately, I forget what the deciding factors were for me). They cost a bit more: model 1500 sells for $49 on the NT website, but they do go on sale from time to time.

Incidentally: the model 1500 and the model 1510 are electrically identical. It's just the included accessories and the warranty that differ.

 

[dfkrug]

Actually, the large AGM battery I use to power the hydraulic pump on my dump trailer had a recommended minimum charge rate (something like 7 amps, if I recall).

First I have ever heard of that!

Pb-acid is a very well-known and established chemistry, whether it is in flooded cells or AGM. Trickle-charging has always been OK, as long as you don't overcharge. Hence, "smart" trickle chargers that vary the charging voltage.

 

[crazyal]

My Minder has a setting for AGM. It's about 15 years old now. The only issue was a badly corroded battery terminal ate the copper on one of the clips. I also have a Shumacher smart charger that also has a setting for AGM. I use it to charge batteries and the Minder to maintain them.

 

[John_Mc]

My Minder has a setting for AGM. It's about 15 years old now. The only issue was a badly corroded battery terminal ate the copper on one of the clips. I also have a Shumacher smart charger that also has a setting for AGM. I use it to charge batteries and the Minder to maintain them.

You can get replacement clips directly from BatteryMinder or through Northern Tool. Just unplug at the quick disconnect and plug the new clips in. You can also get ring terminals with the quick disconnect, and a bulkhead type fitting that your charger can connect to.

 

[Industrial Toys]

Well, I had my JD 6200 on a charger for a few days, as it's been cold and the machine hasn't been used in months.

Tried,to start, click, nothing! Changed chargers thinking maybe it's gone bad. Still nothing.

Found positive Terminal Corroded to pieces. Load tested battery and found it WEAK. Funny, battery turned over a very cold tractor last winter.

Anyway, now I am discouraged thinking I need a new battery and possibly spend as much as $300.00 CDN for a "D" style battery. TRY $500.00!!!!!!!!!!!

The good news is that I last replaced it with a JD battery in Dec 2002!!! My GOD times FLIES! 19 Years out of a battery! Now I don't feel so bad, but wish I had done it before the gases from an old battery completely desroyed the clamp. A service note from 2019 indicates positive terminal corrosion, and I had a treated felt washer which usually helps.

Now, I have to find a way to accomplish a close to OEM repair on the clamp.

 

[pmsmechanic]

Now, I have to find a way to accomplish a close to OEM repair on the clamp.

My local starter repair shop makes custom battery cables. They are a lot better than any repair I've ever attempted.

 

[Industrial Toys]

Now that there is corrosion in amidst the copper strands, it is worrysome. I don't really want to undo all the OEM loom and tye wraps back to the starter. Pet peeve of mine, owner (or worse, mechanic) repaired wiring. I wish I could find a battery clamp with set screws. Then heat shrink it.

 

[fishdrivel]

Tractor and equipment batteries take a lot of extra vibration.
Years ago I hag a Kubota B7200 that the aftermarket battery wuld only last a matter of months.
Seems the plates inside would vibrate loose and cause dead cells.
Battery had a 5 year warranty so NAPA just kept giving me new batteries. Must have been through a dozen.....