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Battery Float Tender: Any Recommendations?

L

LarryMaine

Member
I know I have seen it talked about on a forum somewhere, but can't find it now. I need to get a battery tender for my restored 2N with 12 V Conversion, and a new Napa Battery. I do use tractor in the Winter here in Maine for snow plowing with my vintage Dearborn dozer blade, and want to keep it ready to use at all times. I also use it for gathering maple sap in the early Spring. Can anyone suggest a reliable unit to keep my battery in top condition? I have access to Tractor Supply, Harbor Freight, and of course the internet. I want something reliable that wont degrade the life of my battery or explode. Thanks to all for any suggestions, and wishing you all a very happy, healthy, and safe New Year. Larry. P.S. Also, what is the difference between a trickle charger, a float, and a tender? I keep seeing these terms as decriptors, but I don't really know the difference.
 

I got one of these a few weeks ago and really like it .Used on my 3000 diesel with the big 4dlt battery . It may start at 6 amps but drops as the volts / percentage of charge go up . LED read out tells you % of charge , volts , and amp charging rate . it stops when the battery is fully charged . $14.25 delivered to my mail box .

The best way I have hear to describe a batteries state of charge is like your teeth , plaque , and brushing . When a battery discharges it builds up particles on the plates and if left there too long they crystallize . If you charge your battery it gets rid of the particles if they have not hardened to the plates . Slowly charging a battery is more effective at removing the build up . Keeping a battery fully charged keeps it protected .

https://www.ebay.com/itm/Smart-Fast...RK:MEBIDX:IT&_trksid=p2060353.m2749.l2649
 

This is what I am using...


BatteryMINDer Plus Charger/Maintainer/Desulfator - 1.3 Amp, 12 Volt, Model 12117

I got mine from Northern tool...

[/url]
 
I hard wire these to all the old vehicles & tractors. Been using them for 20 years. I currently have 9 of them.


https://www.amazon.com/Battery-Tender-021-0123-Junior-Charger/dp/B000CITK8S/ref=asc_df_B000CITK8S/?tag=hyprod-20&linkCode=df0&hvadid=198093653755&hvpos=1o3&hvnetw=g&hvrand=17655564213251236466&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=c&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=9008418&hvtargid=aud-467077737785:pla-370669784302&psc=1
75 Tips
 
(quoted from post at 22:49:01 12/26/18)
This is what I am using...


BatteryMINDer Plus Charger/Maintainer/Desulfator - 1.3 Amp, 12 Volt, Model 12117

I got mine from Northern tool...

[/url]
Click to expand...

thanks, hobo. went to have a look and found it was on sale for 19.99, down from 49.99, so i ordered one :)

click me
 

or, i wonder, are they always 20 bucks? anyway, glad to have one coming for that price.
 
I think Northern Tool must be the exclusive importer. Order one on Ebay and it comes from them. Anyway, they are a 'de-sulphater' and the only thing I will use. Have 4 of
them , most on batteries hooked in parallel, throughout the hangar on tractors, aircraft, mowers, antique cars, golf carts, etc. Been using them for many years and haven't
had a battery failure yet. HF also has a charger, Viking, that does the same thing even better, according to a very extensive and thorough independent test.
 

I thought sum'N was wrong with mine then read the directions they had went into float mode red/green light operation ... BTW they offer a 20ft are so extension that allowed me to put mine up in a central location...

https://forums.yesterdaystractors.com/viewtopic.php?t=1371138&highlight=battery

I did have solar chargers on them so got one of my solar hook up mixed up in the deal the battery hook ups I thought were the same they look the same but ell no the solar deal hook ups are reversed...
 
That's a great purchase! I have used Battery Tenders before and yes, they will keep the battery from going dead but there is no pep in their step on startup. After buying 1 BatteryMinder I will never have anything else. Even after sitting in cold storage for 6 months it will flat whip an engine over. Keeps it charged and in much better condition and your equipment starts a whole lot easier. I have a 12V and a 6V. Just got a second 12V because it seems like a day or two after I plug one thing in, I have something else I need to plug in. A buddy of mine bought one of their solar chargers for his four wheeler and says it works just as well...very glad to hear because I want to put one on my trailer IF I ever get to put a winch on it.
 

I have solar on my trailer and gas golf cart when using the trailer it charges off my truck every now and again will put a battery charger on my cart to top it off good... I have several storage buildings with no power I use a old 12V battery and lights keep the bat charged up with a solar charger...

It took a cheap solar charger 60 days to fully charge my trailer battery from 11.5 to 12.7... They are not fast by no means but better than nuttin...
 
There are many makes of float chargers, but be wary you don't just get a trickle charger there is a difference. The BATTERY TENDER brand has worked well for me and Wally World carries them for about $30 or so.

Tim *PloughNman* Daley(MI)
 
I've used the Deltran Battery Tenders for years with good results. Both the Plus! and Junior versions. Five of them in use right now. Having the pigtail attached to the batteries is a plus.

However, that BatteryMinder sounds interesting with the "de-sulfation" feature. I have an old motorcycle battery that won't hold a good charge. For $20 it is worth an experiment. :)
 
I have the same winch mounted on my trailer under the tool box that holds the battery, 6 grade 70 chains
and 6 ratchet binders. I also have the same remote control. 2 problems that I have with it: 1. too
much cable on the spool and does not always wind up smoothly and may bunch on one end; 2. some reason my
battery drained when not being used. I had to install a disconnect switch.
It is nice to be able to load a vehicle when no help is available.
 


Yes to much cable I am quire about keeping it nicely spooled up its only a problem if I loan it out others don't give a chit... Truth B they would make a mess of it either way...
 
i've used a few over the years, including the BatteryTender. right now, i really prefer the noco version (NOCO genius G3500), which works on multiple types and voltages of batteries.

i have two of these. they are suitable as both a charger and for floating, and will switch between modes as necessary. works with typical lead/acid, but also AGM and some other types. over three years of use by me, no complaints.

i used it to desulphate, charge, and float an optima red top AGM that had lost the ability to hold a charge, or even take a full charge, and did the same with two normal 12v lead acid batteries.

it will charge/float 6v lead/acid batteries (for my 8n & 2n).


IMG-0981.jpg
 
Bargain hunters beware, Northern was supposedly at one point selling an older discontinued version that didn't have any diodes to protect against discharge if the charger was disconnected accidentally,
which could easily kill the battery if you didn't notice in time.

A buddy of mine who had it happen called the Battery Tender people, and they sent him the newer one for free,
 

interesting, kyle. are u talking tender or minder? i noticed a warning when i ordered the MINDer about this. i hope you're talking about that one - in which case, i'll be calling them as soon as it arrives.
 
Can float tenders be hooked up to multiple batteries? Earlier in the thread it is mentioned that it is done but I was wondering if the tender needs to "read" the state of the battery it is tending or will they all be in the same state if they are hooked together? (in parallel)
 

thanks, kyle. i don't see in the "manual" they sent anything about this issue. i think i'll just go ahead and call VDC, and see what they say.
 
(quoted from post at 18:58:06 01/02/19)
thanks, kyle. i don't see in the "manual" they sent anything about this issue. i think i'll just go ahead and call VDC, and see what they say.
Click to expand...

I just ordered one this PM - wonder what I will get ;-)

TOH
 
(quoted from post at 20:11:01 01/02/19)
(quoted from post at 18:58:06 01/02/19)
thanks, kyle. i don't see in the "manual" they sent anything about this issue. i think i'll just go ahead and call VDC, and see what they say.
Click to expand...

I just ordered one this PM - wonder what I will get ;-)

TOH
Click to expand...

i received a model 12117TC. i am told it's the latest release of this unit with the discharge issue fixed. life is good :)
 
Thanks to all forum members on this thread. I ended up buying the Battery Minder + at Northern item 167981 for $19.99. They are on sale from $49.99, so it was less expensive than the Battery Tender, and also there were more positive comments on this one vs. the Battery Tender (Walmart). The Battery Minder has a lot of idiot proof features that I need. I also bought the quick connect ring terminal assembly for 12.99, plus shipping of 6.99 and tax of 1.81. So for about $40.00, I feel like I bought a quality product that will last for years, and feel safe that it is idiot proof. Harbor Freight has a battery float for only $6.00, but I wanted something safe with the pulse mode as well. So, thanks to all who contributed. If you ever wonder if your comments are actually read or are useful, trust me, they are.!!!
 
The website description for the 12117 BatteryMinder + says the following:

(Note: BatteryMINDer Plus will cause battery drain if connected to the baty without connection to AC power)
This model does not feature Temperature Compensation, and thus performance differs from other BatteryMINDers that do have the Temperature-Compensation feature
This model will not work on a battery less than 10.5 Voltster

I called Northern to confirm it, and the chat guy told me 3 times that power outage or accidental disconnection would not allow the battery to discharge. When I pointed him to the above quote he put me on hold a long long time then told me that there were "other issues" and I should call the manufacturer.

BTW, the compensation issue is not trivial either, there are reports of the chargers just refusing to charge when it gets too cold.
 
(quoted from post at 13:22:41 01/08/19)

Where did you get the 12117TC?
Click to expand...

i got it from northern tool. the US distributor (VDC Electronics) told me that the BatteryMINDer is made exclusively for northern. u can call them @ 800 379-5579 ext 6.
 
Weird. When I tried to order one and asked which one I would be getting they said they didn't have any 12117TC's, only the old 12117. If they are really sending out the new version for the old price, that's a nice deal.

(quoted from post at 19:10:51 01/08/19)
(quoted from post at 13:22:41 01/08/19)

Where did you get the 12117TC?
Click to expand...

i got it from northern tool. the US distributor (VDC Electronics) told me that the BatteryMINDer is made exclusively for northern. u can call them @ 800 379-5579 ext 6.
Click to expand...
 
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