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Have any of you (those that are electrical gurus!) looked into this battery tender / trickle charger for our trucks??

http://batterytender.com "Power Tender Plus"

It is available in a 24 volt version, and, at the risk of sounding stupid...

...can it be used?

I have picked up a Solar Technologies 20A charge controller. Would this product be able to work in conjunction with the controller, or do you think the inner electronics would be in conflict with each other.

The tender comes with a 20-25 foot quick-detach cord. It certainly seems to be an easy way to maintain batteries for those of us who do not use our trucks as "daily drivers". Just pull in the garage and plug in (in theory!)

Thanks!

I have been using this "charger" for 5 years, I use two of them. I have the orignal battery set -up ~ but have two red top Optimas. I just disconnect the cross over that connects the two batteries and hook up the two chargers. Sits for up to 6 weeks and have never had a problem with any of the vehicles. I also have them on a P-up truck, two boats and two jet skiis.

I check the voltage output of the charger every trip out there, when it drops below 11.0 - I replace the charger (have done this 3 times). I did find that anything above 11.0 maintained the battery still, with no bad effects - I think the electronics in the charger just "wear out" :?:

For the price, you might think ---junk..... but they work really good.

Automatic Battery Float Charger Made by Chicago Electric Power Tools
Skip the aggravation of a jump-start by keeping your vehicle's battery fully charged.

Use on 12 volt batteries while in storage or during cold weather
Floating circuit maintains a full charge without overcharging
Automatic safety shutoff

Item #: 42292-4VGA
$7.99 $4.99 Harbor Frieght :arrow: http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/C ... &pricetype

Power Tender plus is a great product I use one in my 710m and we use the with our fire trucks here at our local volunteer fired department.

Curtis

kirby - re that harbor freight link you dropped in your post - is that something you know about? i'm wondering what makes it so much cheaper than a battery tender version.

An item that I know about :?:

I know I have been using them for years and they work, they are inexpensive, and when they have failed - I replace them. It is not very often they go bad, I can tell because they just start putting less and less voltage to the battery.

Since I go out to Havasu (That is where I have all this stuff) every 3-5 weeks:D , I check the voltage everytime before I pull the chargers off. Most of the time they are still putting 11.0 volts or more.. and that keeps the batteries up and good.

I have 8 of them in use right now - 1 Pick up truck, 2 jet skiis, 3 boat batteries and (saved the best for last) both batteries on the Pinz.... and in case you want the chargers -

- I will give both of them to you for FREE...
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.you just need to buy my Pinzgauer...

or it is ITEM # 42292-4VGA on http://www.harborfreight.com

If you get the Harbor Freight flyers and or e-mails they are $3.99 now. I have used them also and have had good results. Maybe I'm doing it wrong,but I just kill the ground and charge one battery at a time,but I don't disconnect the short bridge between the two. One batt one day,the other the next,been doing it for years. This is providing ALL elecrtical items' grounds thru the vehicle ground switch.
Mark

M Wehrman

One batt one day,the other the next,been doing it for years.

That sounds good, but with 301 miles door to door... not practical for me, plus I have 8 of them hooked up

Glad to hear someone else is using them, and at $3.99 it is hard to pass up, if I didn't have 3 extra sitting around I would go get some more.....

:idea: but ~ I could have a stock pile for that price

I've been using this charger for about 4 years without a problem. It is mounted on the top of the batteries.
http://www.batterystuff.com/battery-cha ... 403SR.html