Battery Tenders

[argent brick]

Hi Everyone,

I am used to Deltran and Yuasa battery chargers and tenders. I know of someone that wants a tender for a truck, but is on a budget. Just how bad are the ones made by Harbor Freight?

[frankenduck]

I bought a couple of HF ones on sale several years back.  Don't bother.

I have 3 or 4 BTJs.  My oldest one is 8 years old and works great.  I don't think my best HF one lasted 8 weeks, maybe days,

If you're willing to spend money on a decent battery then you should be willing to spend money on a decent tender - or just get your battery from HF too. :neener:

[argent brick]

I bought a couple of HF ones on sale several years back.  Don't bother.

I have 3 or 4 BTJs.  My oldest one is 8 years old and works great.  I don't think my best HF one lasted 8 weeks, maybe days,

If you're willing to spend money on a decent battery then you should be willing to spend money on a decent tender - or just get your battery from HF too. :neener:

That's what I figured. Ever use a BTJ on a truck or a car?  Keep in mind that it is not for my brick. I have one for that. It is for a F250 pick up.

[WayneDW]

I have a Harbor Freight charger.  The worst problem is that you can't tell if/when its doing anything.  The light comes on when it's plugged in (to 120v outlet) but never changes or goes out when hooked up to the battery.  I assume it's doing something, but who can tell?

[frankenduck]

I bought a couple of HF ones on sale several years back.  Don't bother.

I have 3 or 4 BTJs.  My oldest one is 8 years old and works great.  I don't think my best HF one lasted 8 weeks, maybe days,

If you're willing to spend money on a decent battery then you should be willing to spend money on a decent tender - or just get your battery from HF too. :neener:

That's what I figured. Ever use a BTJ on a truck or a car?  Keep in mind that it is not for my brick. I have one for that. It is for a F250 pick up.

I don't see why not.  12V is 12V.

Not a BTJ, but I've used a BMW charger to keep a car battery float charged.

[Lawrence]

I've had a C-teck charger for about three years now.  It's compact, economical and very versatile.  You can use it with a range of battery technologies from wet cell to the most modern.  I like it a lot.  Last week I bought another pig-tail to attach it to my most recent bike and I'm pleased to see that these new versions incorporate a little device that shows the battery's charge state with lights.  Neat!

[argent brick]

I've had a C-teck charger for about three years now.  It's compact, economical and very versatile.  You can use it with a range of battery technologies from wet cell to the most modern.  I like it a lot.  Last week I bought another pig-tail to attach it to my most recent bike and I'm pleased to see that these new versions incorporate a little device that shows the battery's charge state with lights.  Neat!

Which one do you have?

[Lawrence]

Hi Lynn,
I have model 3300.  As I said earlier though, it's not new so it could very well have been superceded by another model.  With the march of new technology and all.... I'd suggest you check out EBay for what 's currently on offer.  I wouldn't hesitate to buy another C-Teck if I needed a battery charger. 

[Niemand]

Ever use a BTJ on a truck or a car?  Keep in mind that it is not for my brick. I have one for that. It is for a F250 pick up.

I use my Battery Tender Jr on a Suzuki Sidekick and Toyota Rav4 routinely with no problems.  Granted both of those are tiny, but as Drake said, 12V.