Battery minder

[WDW_BWV]

Looking ahead to winter storage of our new motorhome, thinking about using a better reminder on both the chassis and house battery. Do you unhook the vehicle cables from the battery when using a battery minder?

[Jim_Shoe]

I have two "Battery Tender Plus" chargers. One for the engine and one for the house battery. The red light means charging, the green light means storage. Since I store my 'C' in a heated building that I own, I can check on it regularly, and do. Red and Green are fine, but a multi meter confirms it. And the Jeep Wrangler toad gets driven regularly, so I don't put a charger on it, but I could.

[Butch50]

To address the statement about the battery minders getting hot. I went out and checked mine (only 3 running at this time) and the Deltran ones that I have are basically running at the ambient temperature of were they are at. They are showing a full charge. This prompted me to get my rear in gear and get the new MH set up. I had to do some fancy work on the Sprinter chassis to get it all hooked up but it is done and charging as we speak. Glad I got that done instead of waiting till it was cold out and then have to fumble around tearing the front apart t get it done. The chassis battery is in a compartment under the drivers seat so you have to take some trim off and the pull the floor out covering out and then take a panel off and there is this big long battery.

Anyway it is done, thanks to the OP as it got me going.

[time2roll]

I would just plug in the RV. If that does not charge the chassis battery add a Trik-L-Start combiner.

[Oldme]

We keep our MH at home and "plugged in".
I have kept a small battery tender plugged into
the dash for the past 2+ years.
No more dead batteries and ready to go at
anytime.

Only about $20.00 on Wally World.com

[Bordercollie]

Good idea to have house battery(s) and engine starter batteries disconnected when long-term charging with smart trickle charger. That disconnects alarms, appliance, and radio electronics that draw current from batteries. Good idea to check electrolyte levels and add distilled water to batteries when and if needed. Check to make sure chargers remain connected to receptacles. Protect plugs and extension cord connections from moisture.

[Butch50]

I use Deltran battery tender and have 5 of them. I leave them hooked up all the time and have never had a battery boil dry. I had automatic watering system on my truck camper when I had it and added a small amount of water a year. I have them hooked to my ATV, tractor, battery in my enclosed trailer, cars that are not driven much. I also have a Harley brand one on my Harley, If I had known now what the Harley battery tender was I would have just gotten another Deltran for it and saved some money.

Well worth the money to not have to worry about the batteries all of the time.

I also keep my RVs with the newer converters plugged in all the time. I am going to have to buy another one now for the MH starter battery for this winter even though we plan on using it more and head further south a few times this winter.

From the Deltran web site:

"Complete 4-step charging program (Initialization, Bulk Charge, Absorption Mode, Float Mode)."

This is the same as the newer converters in RVs and they are fine to keep plugged in all the time.

[ronfisherman]

I have 5 battery Minder/Tenders. Put them on Car, Tractor, Lawnmower, Generator and Chipper before I leave on our winter trips. All batteries are in good working condition when we return 5 months later. Been doing this for 7 years.

[Travelcrafter]

I've used a four bank battery tender for a couple years as well as a single for my bike and have never had an issue with any of my equipment. Its a great investment.

[Community Alumni]

The Battery Minder is very effective in maintaining and even extending the life of batteries. I have one that I rotate among the various batteries I have in the cars, motorhome and boat. I drive the motorhome all year round, so when it is time for the coach batteries (two Group 27 connected parallel) the Battery Minder will do both at the same time. The Sprinter Chassis battery is the original one from the factory (2008) and it gets it's turn with the battery minder for a week or two on and off. I had the battery tested and it shows no signs of aging. My boat battery is a Trojan Deep Cycle Gr.24 that is about 12 Years old. Looks like new on the outside and passes every test the guys down at the shop can throw at it. Several of my friends have a Battery Minder and they have similar experiences. Snake oil? Maybe.

[rskrbina]

More of the same with the use of my Battery Minder. I left it on a lawn mower battery for 3 months last winter ( took care of sulfation) No problems.

[tenbear]

I have used the Battery Minder, previous version, for the past couple of winters. It has worked very well. I do switch the converter off and turn the battery disconnect switch to disconnect before I connect the Battery Minder. Nothing has overheated and the battery didn't need any water.

[navegator]

Just make sure that the water level in the batteries is at the correct level when you hook the minder and check the level at least once a month if the batteries are not new.

navegator

[elfhearse]

Concur.. I used a CTEK 7002 battery tender for about one year on my car while I was deployed without any problems.

[BuckBarker]

No need to unhook cables but contrary to popular belief the Battery Tenders nor the Battery Minder are completely set and forget. While they are charging, the cases get warm/hot which by itself isn't a problem. I just wouldn't leave a battery hooked up for a very long term without being around to check on it from time to time.