Batteryminder 1500 Review

[PILOON]

One of the reasons for periodic periodic exercising a genset is to re magnetize the rotor. Without a magnet field you can't get electricity as the action of intersecting the magnetic field is what greats electricity.

The other is simply to clear up fuel flow and sort of assure everything is up to snuff. Periodic runs also spread lubricants around thereby preventing corrosion stuck rings and dry oil seals.

They usually suggest running a load as that gets the engine up to temperature much faster and at temperature you will boil away any moisture that will cause internal corrosion as well as prevent sticking rings.

As a load I use a small 1000 watt ceramic heater that also keeps me comfy while servicing my genset.

 

[BarnieTrk]

Ford850,
Yep, that EU7000 is a sweet unit, but I settled for a less costly unit.

I located & bought a used generator off craigslist, in early summer, with 59hrs of run time. However, the generator I did buy is NOT an EU style, so as a result I accept the limitation not to power my computer or flatscreen TV that would prefer EU type power. Older TVs, radios and most other, older tech electrical devices are happy with my non-EU generator.

An electrician friend told if I did not to 'exercise' the generator periodically, there was a capacitor that would simply die and need replacing.

BarnieTrk

 

[Ford850]

Thought I'd add another update to this thread. 18 months since I started using the BatteryMINDER 1500, and I still haven't replaced a battery. The tractor battery that was originally weak is still going strong. The medium and small batteries are all maintaining charges well. And my wife's car that had the 'dead' battery is still good. I just did my charge cycle on the batteries this week (putting the 1500 on each of them, one at a time, for a day or two each). Adding the pigtails to all of them sure makes it easy move from one to the next within seconds, especially for those with hidden or covered batteries.

 

[Ford850]

I had my first battery failure since using the minder. My 7 year old diesel Grasshopper mower battery needed to be replaced last week. It failed the load test.

 

[BarnieTrk]

I had my first battery failure since using the minder. My 7 year old diesel Grasshopper mower battery needed to be replaced last week. It failed the load test.

Had you been using the mower on & off all this summer?

What brand of battery was it?

Do you think there was some particular reason for it to die - other than it being 7 years old?

BarnieTrk

 

[Gem99ultra]

I had my first battery failure since using the minder. My 7 year old diesel Grasshopper mower battery needed to be replaced last week. It failed the load test.

Whatever problem you have, it must be catching! I too, had my mower battery die this past week. I had installed it Dec '07 and kept it on my Battery Tender most of the time.

That goes to show you, they just don't make stuff to last like they used to oh... and my receipt taped to the side of the old battery said I paid $25 for it at Wally World. The new Interstate replacement cost me $45!

 

[BarnieTrk]

Gem99ultra,

Does your receipt or records mention what the warranty is/was on the Dec'07 battery?

I'll bet it was for two years or less....... if so, I'd say you did pretty good!

BarnieTrk

 

[Ford850]

Had you been using the mower on & off all this summer?

What brand of battery was it?

Do you think there was some particular reason for it to die - other than it being 7 years old?

BarnieTrk

I used it weekly all summer. These past 2 weeks have been exceptionally hot, and could have made things worse. It was the original battery and only labeled as Grasshopper. I thought it was doing fine, but then one day it was just dead. I put the BatteryMinder on it, but it was flat dead. So I used the Schumacher to get a full charge then the minder on it for a couple days. It would drop the charge immediately when I turned the key, back to flat dead. I suspect a short. The dealer load tested it for me. After installing the new battery, I realized the old one was not at its peak and was slower to start the mower (Kubota Diesel engine). I'm thrilled to get 7 years out of it. I'll bet the Interstate I replaced it with will not last as long.

 

[Gem99ultra]

Gem99ultra,

Does your receipt or records mention what the warranty is/was on the Dec'07 battery?

I'll bet it was for two years or less....... if so, I'd say you did pretty good!

BarnieTrk

90 days

 

[joeyd]

A few weeks ago I had to replace the battery in my '05 Kawasaki Brute Force 750 ATV, it just wouldn't hold a charge any longer. Ten years out of a battery, I'll say the Battery Minder works!

 

[Ford850]

I've had no battery failures since my update a year ago. It's been 2 1/2 years since I started this thread, and I'm still using the battery in my DX55. That was the weak battery that prompted me to buy the BatteryMinder. So weak, that I already bought a replacement battery thinking the BatteryMinder wouldn't arrive before a big snow storm. But it did arrive just in time, and my tired battery was rejuvenated so I returned that replacement battery. It's amazing to me that I'm still using that battery after it was so weak back then, and it is lightning quick now. Sooner or later it will fail, but I'm pleased with the results, and with my battery maintenance routine.

 

[BarnieTrk]

A great success story Ford850!

Here is another battery story: First off, my charger is also a 'smartcharger' - see post #32. My story goes like this:

I own an old rusty-but-trusty '95 Wrangler which I use to plow snow. It doesn't get much use during the non-snow plowing months, but I drive it every couple of weeks or so just to keep it "happy". Back at the end of June I had it out for a short trip. Then I tuck it back into it's hole in my shed. Because it is a tight space, it is difficult to get in/out of the door...so I usually leave the window open and just hand push it back into the space and steer it a bit throw the window. Well, in order to steer it, I have to leave the ignition key on...... you see where I'm going, ay? ..... yep, once I had it pushed back into its space, I forgot to reach in and turn the key off. So -- there is sat,, for over a month with the ignition key ON. NOW, the first week of August, I went to give its "oil another stirring" and low n' behold,,,,the key is on and the battery is STONE DEAD.

I pulled out my CTEK 4.3, put it on the battery and nothing. I tried unhooking and rehooking the cables...nothing. I looked at my charger manual and was not encouraged. Then I called the "any questions, call us" number. I explained to the CTEK tech my dilemma and asked them why wasn't I getting some error signal from the unit. The tech told me that if the target battery doesn't have ANY voltage in it, the charger "cannot grab it and build it up". So, disappointed, I thought my battery was junk. Then I thought I'd try to jump start it with my daily driver, a Ford Ranger. I pulled it up and hooked the jumper cables up. I then placed a block of wood on the accelerator to hold the Ranger engine at a 1400-RPM idle. I gave it about ten minutes, then I disconnected the jumper cables. I re-connected the CTEK 4.3 smartcharger. After about a minute, the charger indicated it was now adding charge! I left the charger on for 24 hrs. I removed the charger and started the Wrangler without a cough! The battery is fine now. A week later, I re-connected the charger and the battery was down a bit (to 10V) but it charged back up overnight and is still fine.
I was so close to junking the battery. But the jump gave it just enough to allow the charger to 'hook on and run with it' and brought it back from the depths of dead........

Have a GREAT DAY, Fellas!


BarnieTrk

 

[dickfoster]

I've had no battery failures since my update a year ago. It's been 2 1/2 years since I started this thread, and I'm still using the battery in my DX55. That was the weak battery that prompted me to buy the BatteryMinder. So weak, that I already bought a replacement battery thinking the BatteryMinder wouldn't arrive before a big snow storm. But it did arrive just in time, and my tired battery was rejuvenated so I returned that replacement battery. It's amazing to me that I'm still using that battery after it was so weak back then, and it is lightning quick now. Sooner or later it will fail, but I'm pleased with the results, and with my battery maintenance routine.

Mine has recovered a couple of AGMs along with some others and has paid for itself many times over. I have their older model.

 

[Ford850]

I've had no battery failures since my update a year ago. It's been 2 1/2 years since I started this thread, and I'm still using the battery in my DX55. That was the weak battery that prompted me to buy the BatteryMinder. So weak, that I already bought a replacement battery thinking the BatteryMinder wouldn't arrive before a big snow storm. But it did arrive just in time, and my tired battery was rejuvenated so I returned that replacement battery. It's amazing to me that I'm still using that battery after it was so weak back then, and it is lightning quick now. Sooner or later it will fail, but I'm pleased with the results, and with my battery maintenance routine.

I'm checking in to this thread to update, 3 years after my initial post about my BatteryMinder rejuvenating the battery on my DX55. Other than that battery on my Grasshopper back in 2015, I have had no other replacements. All batteries are still cranking strong, including the original one on the DX55. I continue my routine of connecting the 'Minder' to each battery for a day or so, about once a month. Another benefit I've noticed is that I have little or no corrosion on cables and clamps like I used to have. I assume it is because the batteries are kept fully charged and aren't gassing off like the did when sitting idle with a partial charge. I do keep them coated with Fluid Film, which also helps.

 

[Ford850]

I'm checking in to this thread to update, 3 years after my initial post about my BatteryMinder rejuvenating the battery on my DX55. Other than that battery on my Grasshopper back in 2015, I have had no other replacements. All batteries are still cranking strong, including the original one on the DX55. I continue my routine of connecting the 'Minder' to each battery for a day or so, about once a month. Another benefit I've noticed is that I have little or no corrosion on cables and clamps like I used to have. I assume it is because the batteries are kept fully charged and aren't gassing off like the did when sitting idle with a partial charge. I do keep them coated with Fluid Film, which also helps.

It's time for my annual follow up to this thread. I could repeat my update from a year ago, word for word, other than it's now been 4 years since I had a bad battery that the BatteryMinder rejuvenated. Think about that. This BatteryMinder has given me over 50% extended life on that one battery alone. It was gone at 7 years, and brought back to life for 4 more years and counting. Plus it's keeping all my other batteries fresh.

 

[Billrog]

I've been maintaining 24 battery's with my battery minder for 10 years now don't know if it's extending the life of them but I have no dead battery's. During the winter when my equipment sits not used I use the charger on each one for a few days once a mon. or so.

 

[Gregster613]

Following the advice of the TBN crowd; I bought one. Put it on a battery last night and seems to work fine. However, I am a tad puzzled with the directions. I understand the color coding, but it doesn't specify if the blue flashing light (for desulfation mode I believe) is supposed to be flashing all the time or if it will eventually go out?
I've got solid green at top (power on), solid green at charging/maintenance mode, and then the constant blue flashing. Does the blue come on solid if the battery needs major desulfation or goes into desulfation mode? I guess I'm asking "why/what" makes it flash? Is it supposed to do this always?

My other question is per charging multiple batteries at the same time. If I understand the directions correctly, I just need to wire up the 12 volt batteries as shown in the directions (+ to + and - to -) and attach my charger to only one battery? If so, why do they sell a separate y type adapter for that sole purpose? I don't mean to post a dumb question but I don't exactly follow what they are saying. Hopefully, someone who owns one already can advise me so that I don't short out or damage my new charger. Thanks, Greg

 

[Ford850]

The blue light will always flash if working properly. Solid green charging light is in maintenance so where yours is at means it’s in a holding pattern. I leave mine in that state for days or weeks at least once a year to help desulphate. Then the rest of the times I only leave it for a day or two. Just my plan to do an annual cleanup and minor maintenance the rest of the year.
I only connect one battery at a time so I can’t help much on your other question.

 

[Gregster613]

Thank you for clarifying the blue light flashing Ford850. That's what I thought it meant but wanted to be sure. I will probably only use it on one battery at a time also, but was curious about the proper hookup for multiple battery's anyhow. Thanks for the reply. Greg

 

[cqaigy2]

Thanks for the update!