Battery maintaince

[mnnden]

I currently use a couple of Battery tenders to keep my batterys charged but I could always use another one (or two) Sears has this one at a good price,($20.00)
anyone have any experence with them? I think it is made by Schumacher, my only consern is that it isn't listed as gel battery friendly, Not to open a can of worms, but does it make a difference? Or should I just stick with the Battery Tender Brand, Thanks Den


http://msnden.smugmug.com/photos/441303300_HNk7t-S.jpg
Charge your battery from inside the vehicle! Fully Automatic Battery Charger/Maintainer with Float Mode Monitoring for 6 and 12 volt batteries. 2 Amp, 12 Volt/4 Amp, 6 Volt slow charge with Reverse Hook-Up Protection is ideal for keeping stored, lead-acid batteries charged and power maintained at all times. Great for Motorcycle, Lawn Tractor, ATV, Snowmobile size batteries and to maintain larger Car, RV, Boat, Deep Cycle, Antique and Classic Car batteries too! Includes: 50 amp battery clamps, 12V accessory plug and permanent ring connectors for fast, easy charging every time. UL listed

[Sir Limpsalot]

In my experience keeping a charged up battery "topped up" (with charge, not electrolyte) is pretty much possible with any type of charger.

If the battery has been allowed to discharge to a really low level then the gel types can need to be "awakened" by a very slow trickle which is where the specific type charger fits in.

Bottom line, to keep your batteries charged the one shown should be perfectly adequate. If you've allowed them to deeply discharge you'll need to spend more..

Cheers,
Si.

[DarthRider]

Den, you said your battery is a "gel"...are you sure it's not actually a "AGM"?
Most batteries are now AGM (Absorbed Glass Mat) and any type of charger is fine for them. Just treat 'em like a "wet" battery, only you never have to add water and you can use your Battery Tender all the time with no overcharging. The Sears DieHard charger will be fine for an AGM, gel reuires something different.

For a while BMW was using true "gel" batteries and (what a coincidence!) sold the special chargers they require. That's where the confusion originated, as "gel" is incorrectly used to describe both a true "gel" and the superior "AGM" batteries. Thinking they were the same, people used the wrong chargers on the wrong batteries and had problems.

Now, most all batteries sold into the motorcycle market are traditional "wet" style where you have to add water, or "AGM" that are truly sealed and require no water ever be added.

The advantages to AGM are many (they are also sometimes called "recombinant" but that's just another name for AGM).
Here's a link to a good FAQ from a battery maker, most of them have similar info. It has a much better explanation of the battery types & charging procedures than I've given.
http://www.windsun.com/Batteries/Battery_FAQ.htm

Usually AGMs are very little more $$ than wet-cell and are much better for a variety of reasons.

Hope this helps.

[mnnden]

Thanks Guys, Dave, great link!!! Technology is great but it sure does complicate things. I have had such good luck with the Battery Tender I think I will just pick another one up. again Thanks Den

[jamming]

I think I have it backwards. I have a tender on my truck not my motorcycle.

Den, the Battery Tender is a great product.