I have found that our 4 stroke batteries lose power while stored in our barn (no heat) and so when we come up to sled the batteries are all dead. I have replaced them as needed but even the new batteries do not hold a charge long enough. It was suggested to get some type of battery tender. Any recommendations? Can I buy 1 tender and hook it up to 3 or 4 batteries or are do I need one for each battery? Thanks, Gregg
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Battery tenders
- Thread starter greggk
- Start date
I have the battery tender JR, use it for my sled, have also used it also for my car, truck, and misc batteries. Actually have 3 seperate ones since none of my toys are sitting next to each other. You can also get one that can do multiple batteries at the same time, more expensive but if you take all the batteries out and set them in one spot it would work well.
http://www.amazon.com/Battery-Tender-021-0123-Junior-Charger/dp/B000CITK8S/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1293478607&sr=8-1
http://www.amazon.com/Battery-Tender-021-0123-Junior-Charger/dp/B000CITK8S/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1293478607&sr=8-1
indecision
Member
They work great. You can purchase multi-bank chargers but they're pretty pricey. I have the 12v battery tender Jr. They're around $35. It depends on how many machines you're trying to keep charged but if you do the math it may be cheaper to buy a few of the Jr's. Check out www.batterytender.com. There are numerous companies that make units like this and most motorsports dealers or auto parts stores will have something similar in stock.
fusionfool
New member
I have the battery tender JR, use it for my sled, have also used it also for my car, truck, and misc batteries. Actually have 3 seperate ones since none of my toys are sitting next to each other. You can also get one that can do multiple batteries at the same time, more expensive but if you take all the batteries out and set them in one spot it would work well.
http://www.amazon.com/Battery-Tende...TK8S/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1293478607&sr=8-1
X2, I have two of the battery tender JR's, I mounted a flip up door on the enclosed trailer to run power inside. I leave them on tenders 24/7 until we are ready to go. Work great, and will prolong the life of the batteries by about 3X as long.
To snoduke If a battery sits in a discharged state for to long it will sulfate,then die. If you wish to keep your battery for a long time keep it on a battery tender when ever it is not in use. Doing this a battery should last for years. Cheaper to buy battery tender then a battery every other year.
I've got 5 batt. that need to be on chargers out in my pole building. They want 400 for the four or five bank charger. I guess I will just buy the seperate jr. ones for 29 apiece.
Alot cheaper than getting new batteries every few years, huh.
Sorry, I am wrong. It is 209$ for a four bank charger. Thats not too bad, and you just use one receptical for all four.
Thanks guys for bringing this up. I'm gonna go get one.
Alot cheaper than getting new batteries every few years, huh.
Sorry, I am wrong. It is 209$ for a four bank charger. Thats not too bad, and you just use one receptical for all four.
Thanks guys for bringing this up. I'm gonna go get one.
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Here's another option: TecMate Optimate 4
http://www.tecmate-int.com/optimate4_detail.php
You may find some that allow to hook up multiple batteries, but that can get pricey.
http://www.tecmate-int.com/optimate4_detail.php
You may find some that allow to hook up multiple batteries, but that can get pricey.
anonomoose
New member
While I do own and use battery tenders, some are not very reliable, and can actually shorten the life of the battery.
On the other hand...why are the batteries going down so rapidly? I have replaced all my lead acid batteries with gel cel batteries that have far more cca's and hold their charges better than the old lead acid batteries. They cost about 20%, but you replace them far less frequently.
If you are taking them out of the machines and storing them, they should not discharge that fast, unless they are already damaged.
If you buy a good tender, they have a di-sufate cycle that is supposed to undo the damage that a battery that sat for long periods caused.
On the other hand...why are the batteries going down so rapidly? I have replaced all my lead acid batteries with gel cel batteries that have far more cca's and hold their charges better than the old lead acid batteries. They cost about 20%, but you replace them far less frequently.
If you are taking them out of the machines and storing them, they should not discharge that fast, unless they are already damaged.
If you buy a good tender, they have a di-sufate cycle that is supposed to undo the damage that a battery that sat for long periods caused.
t660redrocket
New member
Mils Fleet Farm has a Schumacher battery maintainer for $22 that works awesome! I have 5 of them and never had any problems.
I have found that our 4 stroke batteries lose power while stored in our barn (no heat) and so when we come up to sled the batteries are all dead. I have replaced them as needed but even the new batteries do not hold a charge long enough. It was suggested to get some type of battery tender. Any recommendations? Can I buy 1 tender and hook it up to 3 or 4 batteries or are do I need one for each battery? Thanks, Gregg
Both our sleds always killed batteries. Both sleds had the remote start from the factory, that was the problem. Just that tiny load, would over a couple 3 weeks drain them dead. Then freeze, bust open, leak out in the garage when brought in for service. I have a few of the tender jr's also, they work great.
t660redrocket
New member
t660redrocket, I just went to Farm and Fleet, and bought a couple of the Schumaker tenders for 18.99 a piece.
They are only 1.5 volts, I think. We'll see how they do.
You will like them tons. Plug them in and forget about them. All automatic.
I have a one of the Juniors at 35 bucks. I have an optimate for my spYder at about $70 and wouldnt waste my money on another one of them. I also have 7 of the Schumakers at 16 bucks on sale. I have been using one of these to keep my dual battery 7.3 diesel charged and it is doing it fine. It's a plow truck and doesn't get driven sometimes for two weeks and the batteries are always dead after a week. I also have 10 of the cheap harbor frieght ones at 8 bucks on antique tractors and they work fine too. I would probably get the Schumakers though if you only need a few. The Schumakers do 6 or 12v automatically I think too. They come with ring terminals and a quick connect so you can just plug back in. The other nice thing about them is you can plug 3 of them into a triple splitter, you can't do that with the wall wart Tender Jr's. I'm not even sure if you can plug 2 into a wall outlet at once?