<VV> Re: Battery Tenders

[Andy Clark]

You're correct about the name "battery tender", but it seems like it's
becoming the generic name for these devices. Sorta like "Hoover" applies to
all vacuum cleaners. Anyway, I have one of the Sears Craftsman devices, and
curiously enough, it looks identical, except for the labels, to the last
$19.95 one I recently bought at Harbor Freight. They're both made in China,
and seem to work really well.
Also, I had a couple of responses regarding how long is "long term" storage.
Personally,
when my show cars or infrequent drivers are not being used, they sit with
"battery tenders" (float chargers) attached. That's just me, I suppose, but
batteries
definitely last longer if kept at float voltage during dormant periods.
I do the same with the boat, because golf-cart house and 8D start batteries
are expensive to replace (not to mention the strain on my back getting them
out of the engine room!), so I take extra good care of them. 12 years and
counting on these, so far. The boat charger is what they call a "smart
charger". That is, it provides a bulk charge to a depleted battery and then
switches to "float" when the batt is fully charged. These are a bit
expensive to have one for each car, though, and probably overkill in that
application as well.
As always, YMMV
Andy Clark
1966 140/4 Monza Sedan
1966 140/4 Yenko Clone
1966 180/4 Cord 8/10 #60
----- Original Message ----- 
From: <J1M1SH at aol.com>
To: <virtualvairs at corvair.org>
Sent: Thursday, January 18, 2007 9:03 PM
Subject: <VV> Re: Battery Tenders


>
> I agree to stay away from the cheap Harbor Freight tenders. I bought one,
> worked for a month, then went south. "Battery Tender" is the name brand of
one
> that works real good. Sears also has a float charger made by the Shomaker
> company that has l.e.d.'s to tell you when it is charging or charged. Cost
in
> the upper 20's I think. You get what you pay for.

>
>