Jump to content
jeepwm69

Battery Tender options

Recommended Posts

Was nosing around online and came across these.  Not too pricey, and solar.

 

https://www.etrailer.com/Battery-Chargers/Performance-Tool/PTW2997.html

 

I'm a big fan of battery maintainers.  I have about a dozen of them scattered around the house/shop.  With as many seldom used vehicles and tractors around, constantly buying batteries can be really expensive, and tenders tend to make my batteries last a LOT longer.

 

So my question is, 2.5 watts all the time going to hurt the battery?  If not, these could be handy for my mowers and a couple of the Jeeps that are parked where I don't have electricity handy. 

 

Anyone know of an alternative solar unit that is decent and not too pricey? 

 

For regular tenders I do have one "Battery Tender Jr" that works fine, and the rest of mine are the Schumacher units like this one.  https://www.amazon.com/Schumacher-SC1319-Automatic-Battery-Maintainer/dp/B0756Q88J5/ref=asc_df_B0756Q88J5/?tag=bingshoppinga-20&linkCode=df0&hvadid=&hvpos=&hvnetw=o&hvrand=&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=e&hvdev=c&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=&hvtargid=pla-4584345016155877&psc=1

  • Like 1

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites
 

Regulated output voltage (13.4-13.5 volts constant) is required for any DC power supply to be used to maintain a battery. Current needs are usually quite low in that usage case, so those 2.5 watts max panels might work fine on a small battery... provided the output voltage is actually regulated. China crap are usually not regulated at all so its a crap shoot.... you'd have to buy one, then measure the output voltage to learn whether or not it is fit for use as a battery maintainer or not.

 

If I were in need of a solar maintainer I would buy a small, decent quality 18 volts panel, then make my own adjustable voltage regulator, which would cost me less than $5 to make one having 5 amps (enough current to trickle charge and maintain 3 large batteries at once) total current capacity.  I don't trust china to make a better device than I can.

  • Like 2

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites
 

I think 2.5 watts is too much. My Battery Tender brand is .75 amps.........750 milli amps. As you know it keeps six batteries simultaniously.

  • Like 2

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites
 
1 hour ago, retro said:

Regulated output voltage (13.4-13.5 volts constant) is required for any DC power supply to be used to maintain a battery. Current needs are usually quite low in that usage case, so those 2.5 watts max panels might work fine on a small battery... provided the output voltage is actually regulated. China crap are usually not regulated at all so its a crap shoot.... you'd have to buy one, then measure the output voltage to learn whether or not it is fit for use as a battery maintainer or not.

 

If I were in need of a solar maintainer I would buy a small, decent quality 18 volts panel, then make my own adjustable voltage regulator, which would cost me less than $5 to make one having 5 amps (enough current to trickle charge and maintain 3 large batteries at once) total current capacity.  I don't trust china to make a better device than I can.

LOL, well you have to remember that most of us can't make little McGuyver gadgets!

 

I have a couple of tractors that take a full sized 12V battery, and a lot of smaller things like riding mowers (3) and ATV's (6-8 at the moment that should have good batteries on them). 

 

For something like this I don't need to do more than one at a time, simply because the goal is to find something I can stick on the machine so I don't have to pull the batteries when they're going to be sitting for awhile.

 

I have tenders in my shop along the wall, with holes drilled through to run the pigtail off the tender.  Then I have the harnesses permanantly attached to the battery terminals, so I can just plug the pigtail in when I part the ATV.

 

Unfortunately, I only have room for 4 ATV's along the shop under the overhang.  Mowers, tractors, and 2 of the three Jeeps are parked elsehwere, where there is no power source for a plug-in charger.

 

There are these things that look interesting.  Guy on a Jeep board bought one and was using it.

 

 

  • Like 1

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites
 

I have a solar charger and it regulates the charge and shuts down when the battery is charged. I don't remember the brand or size of it. I bought it about 5 years ago to charge the camper battery when primitive camping so we had some light at night. I have used it many times on various machines sitting around to maintain the batteries without dragging cords around.

  • Like 1

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites
 

Sounds like what I'm looking for.  I'm not in any hurry, but next time you're around it will you get the make and model off of it?

  • Like 1

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites
 

The maintainers that are shown in the video are regulated and use the same type of linear voltage regulator that I use, so those are useful maintainers, although the panels look pretty small. How much do they cost?

 

But the first gadget linked is china garbage. Lets assume that their 2.5 watts rating is actual and that the full 2.5 watts are available in the output AND that the output is regulated to provide a constant 13.5 volts. All of which are probably false.... but we are idealizing here, so lets play along with the chinaman... After doing the math we learn that device would supply 0.185 amps, or only 18.5 milliamps at 13.5 volts.

https://www.rapidtables.com/calc/electric/watt-volt-amp-calculator.html

 

18.5 milliamps might be enough current to maintain a mower battery, or an ATV battery in excellent condition in a warm climate. That device isn't worth 50 cents though.

 

How many solar maintainers do you need @jeepwm69? You can buy china panels cheap. Here are 25 watt (panel only) models priced at $22.50 each shipped:

https://www.ebay.com/itm/25W-Power-Solar-Panel-12V-Off-Grid-Kit-Battery-Charge-Controller-for-Car-RV-Boat/254454530208

 

So what if they only produce 15 watts actual, thats enough current to maintain any good battery. I can make the regulators inside a sealed box for less than $10 each, probably closer to $7 each with waterproof connectors soldered onto long enough leads to be useful. So estimated cost would be about $30 each. What say I build ya one and send it to ya for testing? If you can buy a complete comparable unit cheaper than $30 fine.... but I betcha ya can't. 🙂

 

EDIT: 15 watts @ 13.5 volts = 1.11 amps. Thats enough current to maintain two or three Jeep batteries simultaneously.

 

EDIT AGAIN: That 25 watt panel I linked above is actually only a 10 watt panel. chinamen lie. This one is the same brand, is twice the size (16" x 11") and is being sold as a 50 watt panel, Its actual output is just 20 watts tho... chinamen lie.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/18V-50W-Solar-Panel-USB-Battery-Charger-10-20-30A-PWM-Solar-Controller-ELINK/193039617557

 

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites
 

found this on amazon. Schumacher SP-200 2.4W 12V Solar Battery Maintainer $21.53

 

 

412fZNyKsWL__AC_.jpg

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites
 
17 hours ago, retro said:

The maintainers that are shown in the video are regulated and use the same type of linear voltage regulator that I use, so those are useful maintainers, although the panels look pretty small. How much do they cost?

 

But the first gadget linked is china garbage. Lets assume that their 2.5 watts rating is actual and that the full 2.5 watts are available in the output AND that the output is regulated to provide a constant 13.5 volts. All of which are probably false.... but we are idealizing here, so lets play along with the chinaman... After doing the math we learn that device would supply 0.185 amps, or only 18.5 milliamps at 13.5 volts.

https://www.rapidtables.com/calc/electric/watt-volt-amp-calculator.html

 

18.5 milliamps might be enough current to maintain a mower battery, or an ATV battery in excellent condition in a warm climate. That device isn't worth 50 cents though.

 

How many solar maintainers do you need @jeepwm69? You can buy china panels cheap. Here are 25 watt (panel only) models priced at $22.50 each shipped:

https://www.ebay.com/itm/25W-Power-Solar-Panel-12V-Off-Grid-Kit-Battery-Charge-Controller-for-Car-RV-Boat/254454530208

 

So what if they only produce 15 watts actual, thats enough current to maintain any good battery. I can make the regulators inside a sealed box for less than $10 each, probably closer to $7 each with waterproof connectors soldered onto long enough leads to be useful. So estimated cost would be about $30 each. What say I build ya one and send it to ya for testing? If you can buy a complete comparable unit cheaper than $30 fine.... but I betcha ya can't. 🙂

 

EDIT: 15 watts @ 13.5 volts = 1.11 amps. Thats enough current to maintain two or three Jeep batteries simultaneously.

 

EDIT AGAIN: That 25 watt panel I linked above is actually only a 10 watt panel. chinamen lie. This one is the same brand, is twice the size (16" x 11") and is being sold as a 50 watt panel, Its actual output is just 20 watts tho... chinamen lie.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/18V-50W-Solar-Panel-USB-Battery-Charger-10-20-30A-PWM-Solar-Controller-ELINK/193039617557

 

 LOL.  They would never overstate the specs Retro!

 

Most of my 110 maintainers are Schumacher, but that solar charger got some pretty shoddy reviews.  https://www.amazon.com/product-reviews/B004ZC3TFC/ref=acr_dp_hist_1?ie=UTF8&filterByStar=one_star&reviewerType=all_reviews#reviews-filter-bar

 

@retro I appreciate the offer, but I feel like I'm turning you into my personal gadget maker lately LOL.  Those VW solar jobs usually go for $25-50 on ebay.  That might be the way to go.  I wouldn't think VW would supply absolute junk with their cars, although they are made you know where.

  • Like 2

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites
 

might as well bump this up..... i had my battery jr. die on me about a week ago, for no reason, i never used it during thunderstorms ... or out in the rain / wet weather ... no signs of rodent chewing ... it worked perfectly for over 5 years ... i read another member had one die as well... one question is.... has anyone cracked one of these open to see of it can possibly be repaired ? i looked at a couple videos ... that clame these can be repaired ... the other question.... has anyone else besides myself and said other member had one of these just up and die ... 

 

 

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites
 

I have gone thru quite a few of the Tenders and threw them away , wish I wouldn't have  ---- I leave them out in the weather , but tuck them up under the fenders to keep them out direct rain 

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites
 

your talking about the battery tender jr ? 

 

i went ahead and replaced mine .... ($44) this time i got warranty .... 3 years i think... ...

 

.he says in the video it's the electrolytic capacitors. went bad. ... id like to hear what Mel thinks .... 

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites
 

it was prob me that said my battery tender jr. stopped working correctly ?. mine had green light for all these months, years ?, but my battery seemed what looked like it was over charged in my jet ski ?, oem battery, sat for about a year and a half ?, it was cooked from what i could tell. thank god it did not run acid out all over my brand new ski !!. i got word to try out '' BATTERY MINDER '' ?, a little pricey ?, but this charger is not the same as battery tender jr., this brand not only charges the battery ?, but is also disulfates the batteries plates while plugged in, also has a 10 yr warranty !. just got it a week ago, have it plugged into my ski, time will tell how good it is ?.

  • Like 2

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites
 
 
5 hours ago, _Wilson_™ said:

your talking about the battery tender jr ? 

 

i went ahead and replaced mine .... ($44) this time i got warranty .... 3 years i think... ...

 

.he says in the video it's the electrolytic capacitors. went bad. ... id like to hear what Mel thinks .... 

 

Yes Electrolytic capacitors will go bad over time -- just a while back I replaced one in the remote for our electric fire place.  The one in the remote the end was blown out -- easy to spot.

Edited by Melatv
  • Like 1
  • Thanks 1

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites
 
5 hours ago, _Wilson_™ said:

your talking about the battery tender jr ? 

 

i went ahead and replaced mine .... ($44) this time i got warranty .... 3 years i think... ...

 

.he says in the video it's the electrolytic capacitors. went bad. ... id like to hear what Mel thinks .... 

I picked up another Battery Tender Jr a week or so ago.  They're down to $24 at my local chinamart

  • Like 2

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites
 

thank you Mel .... appreciate it. 

 

i went to oreillys  tsc was sold out... auto zone doesn't carry them any longer ... and napa closed up shop.... heck even ace doesnt stock them.... i called Walmart while i was in columbia, and they were sold out too... we don't have a chinamart here, soon as the price drops ill be getting another one. 

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites
 
36 minutes ago, _Wilson_™ said:

thank you Mel .... appreciate it. 

 

i went to oreillys  tsc was sold out... auto zone doesn't carry them any longer ... and napa closed up shop.... heck even ace doesnt stock them.... i called Walmart while i was in columbia, and they were sold out too... we don't have a chinamart here, soon as the price drops ill be getting another one. 

Chinamart ='s Walmart..LOL

  • Like 1
  • Haha 1

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites
 
 

Can you guy's take a voltage reading on the tenders as far as DC volts. Just toying with some stuff.

  • Like 2

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites
 
 
11 hours ago, Big Bird said:

Can you guy's take a voltage reading on the tenders as far as DC volts. Just toying with some stuff.

You can but i would hook it up to a battery thats charged and read the output hooked up

  • Like 2

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites
 

Yep, hook the tender to a battery and then check the battery terminals while it's charging.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites
 

Sorry I should have been more specific. Yes I would like to know the voltage that the tender is putting to a battery when hooked up and working. 12.6 is a fully charged battery. I am thinking around 12.8 volts area?? I am just guessing.

 

  • Like 1

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites
 

i thought the voltage should be 14.6, when charging, and the amps lower. i got 1 battery that could use a solar charger.

i got one solar charger on the electric fence, but its 6v. i got an x-tra one that dont do nothing. maybe i could convert it.

just exploring options.

Edited by LedFTed
i forgot

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites
 

Create an account or sign in to comment

You need to be a member in order to leave a comment

Create an account

Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!

Register a new account

Sign in

Already have an account? Sign in here.

Sign In Now

×
×
  • Create New...