Battery Tender

So, is it safe to say that for those of use who use and believe in tenders that we would refer to the incident as "love me tender"?

 

Dude, you need this!
http://www.batterymart.com/battery.mv?p=DEL-021-0134

Although with 6 foot leads, you will need some extension cables to reach all your cars...
http://www.batterymart.com/battery.mv?p=DEL-081-0148-25

 

THere is a really pretty one on Ebay, complete with the leather Schedoni case from Ferrari

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=170070621364

 

Scott,
That is the one I previously mentioned that retailed for around $800 on the Ferrari website. Nothing particulary special about it other than the nice leather case. Big warning for any potential North American buyer; the seller is in Germany, and I recall that they had different part number for various countries. Not sure if the issue was just the plug (it may have a "universal" power supply good from 100 to 240v) or if the charger itself was set up just for specific input voltages. But that unit will at the least need a different power cord to work in NA, and possiblly not work at all, unless you have a voltage step up transformer.

 

I bought one of these units. I think they are made in Sweden. Price was almost the same here in Europe for the version with 3.6 Amp.

 

+1, I use it all the time.

 

By the way the batt. tender I bought from Harbor Freight a month ago $4.99 still works and works great, it maintains the batt at 12.75V.

 

I got the higher amp version. $59 vs. $69 USD. Same one Ferrari sells for $149.

 

Just ordered mine, Ctek 3300, $63 on Ebay. I know there's plenty cheaper, but my last charger was a Sears trickle charger 15-20 yrs ago...so figured I'd spend a little more on the name brand and keep it a long time. Plus they say this one has different modes for Optima batteries, AGM, etc. (I run a 12 lb. AGM lightweight battery in the STi)

 

These chargers are great. I have the Deltran and one from Griots and they both work very well. My Ducati Battery was changed once in 11 years thanks to these little doo-hickeys

 

Well I just finished soldering an in-line connector to mine in place of the alligator clips.

I measured the output voltage with a digital meter and it shows a steady 12.75-12.80.

So now I am ready to try it.

If it doesn't work, Mike's in big trouble!!!

BTW, I paid $7.00 for mine. I think that because I said Mike paid $5.00 for his they charged me more!

 

I'm only half joking when I observe that we will spend $100k or more on a car, and then search out a $5 solution and spend time soldering and such, when for less than $20 at WalMart they have a really nice battery tender from Black and Decker that comes complete with three hook ups, aligator clamps, cigarette lighter adapter, and in-line quick disconnects to put directly to the battery.

http://snipurl.com/18hpt

 

Good call on this one Hugh.

I do have an Interstate tender which works well, but I just can't resist a bargain!

So I bought two for $7.00 each. I have a few cars. So, if the $7.00 wonder works, that's great.

If not I'll get one of those B&D units.

I always have said that I can afford the cars. It's the ancillary items that kill me.

 

I'll bank on it, that the $7 one works just as good though.

 

I like this group,

We buy and own and admire expensive cars and find cost effective ways to maintain them.

Doug

 

Hi Greg, so is it working, is it working? I hope it does cause I don't wan to be in trouble.
Mine is still working Greg.

 

Cost effective, sure! But Harbor Freight man... That's just downright RISKY! (Said the guy who owns a Harbor Freight aluminum jack, finally found a good one after swapping it out twice!)

Earlier this month at the recommendation of someone here (Thought it was Dave Handa!) I picked up a Deltran "Super Smart Battery Tender Plus".

From:
http://www.chaparral-racing.com/

Link:
http://www.chaparral-racing.com/Chaparral/product_family.asp?family%5Fid=8156&gift=False&mscssid=069F8275ECEB24A9D97B71EEE85931A1

Hooked up now. 328 battery is very happy. Total cost was < $50 and everything about it, including build quality, documentation, accessories, etc., feels solid.

 

That was me Mike! I have a bunch of them! Battery Tender Plus, Battery Tender Jr, also the Griot's battery tender and the Griot's full on, battery charger! But, I think the new Black and Decker is probably the best value going for a "name brand" unit out there...and it comes with a whole slew of connection options (including a cigarette lighter adapter), standard. All for less than $19 at WalMart! ($18.97 if I remember correctly).

 

I am in broadcasting & for two major networks, I feel the same about Radio Shack.
We take their label off and no one knows.........

Doug

 

I've always used just a batt cut out switch.....but I don't have to worry about the computer either.

 

I know this is a little late but I am in the power converion business and have many types of chargers that are used on a regular basis. We have them designed here locally as well the components in Asia.

This is from my experience.

A lot of chargers are over-complex. They state this and that, and in the final analysis, they don't work and can damage your battery.

I look at the spec. It has one very good thing that stands out, It uses the pulse-charge.
the specs are straight forward. It has good peak voltage of 14.4 and a max of .8amps although it doesn't specify where that is reached.


I would recommend it.

 

Where is the Battery disconnect switch, do you access it through the battery compartment door?

 

On your car it is a red quick disconnect on the battery ground cable under the front hood behind the left headlight.

Did you ever get an owners manual? I have not found the correct one yet but have a lead on an 83. Will be the same for the most part if you want it. Isn't a lot of money if we find the right one later.

 

Thanks Brian, I'll go look.

I haven't had any luck on a manual or spare tire yet. Was told it was out of the budget for Christmas.

I have to get started on the 20 year maintenance, hoses & belts. Since there are no records, I have to change all of the hoses and belts.

Some of the hoses look to have been changed. The heater hoses are spliced in the engine compartment so I doubt they have ever been changed end to end and I have no clue clue on how old the fuel hoses are. I sometimes hear a belt squeel over 4000RPM too (hope it's a belt?) seldom rev that high.


I finially took the car out for a long drive, maybe 100 miles round trip. I now have 650 mile in 10 months