The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network







Register or Log In To remove these advertisements.

Go Back   The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network > General Truck Forums > Tools, Shops and Shop Safety

Web 67-72chevytrucks.com


Reply
 
Thread Tools Display Modes
Old 11-01-2019, 05:00 PM   #1
Ironhorse
Senior Member
 
Ironhorse's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2001
Location: Wellington, Ks
Posts: 9,965
Battery Maintainer - Charger ?

Winter is coming this way, again, and with it comes the problem of trying to keep the batteries up on all the vehicles in the shop. Hence, the question here:

Seems as if my battery maintainers are all dying off one by one. Have 4 total, 1 each for the '71 4x4, '71 Chevelle, '86 Monte Carlo LS and the ZTR mower. Have tried what I thought were good maintenance trickle chargers, 6/12 volt capable. Have had Schumachers and Sears Brand Die Hard chargers. All did well for couple years and then slowly but surely died off one by one. With my '57 2 dr. coming home from paint at some point I will need to add a 5th charger. Thinking I need more of a "float" type charger rather than a "trickle" charger. Difference in a float charger battery charges til full and then turns off until battery charge drops to a certain point then begins charging again. The trickle charger constantly charges constantly.

Have looked at a Black and Decker BM3B 6/12 volt capable, seems to have good reviews and won't break the bank needing 5 chargers total. Anyone have experience with the B&D BM3B float battery charger or a similar type/brand?
__________________
1971 Chevy 1/2T 4x4 LWB 350 V-8
Was sm465-now 350TH/np205
Tilt, Tach, Towhooks
Original Truck AM/FM
Wellington, Ks

Last edited by Ironhorse; 11-01-2019 at 05:10 PM.
Ironhorse is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 11-01-2019, 07:43 PM   #2
crossfire84
Registered User
 
crossfire84's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2012
Location: wind lake WI
Posts: 1,747
Re: Battery Maintainer - Charger ?

I use the battery tender brand for years and no problems.
__________________
LIL ERV the 50-3600
396 BBC stroked to 415 cid
Richmond 6spd over drive
C4 rear
Porter built a arms
Never give the Devil a ride,because he'll want to Drive!
crossfire84 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 11-01-2019, 09:21 PM   #3
Ironhorse
Senior Member
 
Ironhorse's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2001
Location: Wellington, Ks
Posts: 9,965
Re: Battery Maintainer - Charger ?

Quote:
Originally Posted by crossfire84 View Post
I use the battery tender brand for years and no problems.
Thanks for the reply. Will look into the Battery Tender brand. Is that perhaps a O'reilly or Autozone item? Where did you acquire such?

PS: Seen you are located in Wind Lake, Wis. I was born in Rice Lake, Wis. in the upper NW part of the state, many, many, long time ago, awhile back, LOL.
__________________
1971 Chevy 1/2T 4x4 LWB 350 V-8
Was sm465-now 350TH/np205
Tilt, Tach, Towhooks
Original Truck AM/FM
Wellington, Ks
Ironhorse is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 11-01-2019, 09:54 PM   #4
Dead Parrot
Registered User
 
Join Date: Aug 2012
Location: Oklahoma City, OK
Posts: 2,460
Re: Battery Maintainer - Charger ?

I use these: https://www.northerntool.com/shop/to...2201_200332201

If your need isn't immediate, they go on sale every so often for $20. Might be worth waiting until Black Friday and see if they drop the price.

One of mine is several years old and used on a motorcycle. Picked up two more a couple years ago when I moved and needed to keep a tractor and ATV charged up.
Dead Parrot is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 11-12-2019, 02:19 PM   #5
_Ogre
Registered User
 
_Ogre's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2012
Location: Motown
Posts: 7,660
Re: Battery Maintainer - Charger ?

i bought a battery tender on sale a 3 years ago to replace the 5 year old $5 harbor fright battery float charger
still haven't used it cuz the $5 harbor fright charger is still chugging along
due to my shaved handles/keyless entry module i need to plug my 58 truk in anytime i don't drive it for a week
this one has lasted 8 yrs, last one fried due to the battery failing
i keep one on my mower too. my son uses them on his bike and 68 elco. my neighbor just bought 5 for his boat
another neighbor has a car collection, he bought 10 of them 5 yrs ago

i highly recommend the harbor fright charger, regular price is $10, they go on sale all the time for $5
they're cheap and they work great

automatic-battery-float-charger

__________________
cool, an ogre smiley Ogre's 58 Truk build

how to put your truck year and build thread into your signature
shop air compressor timer

Last edited by _Ogre; 11-12-2019 at 02:26 PM.
_Ogre is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 11-13-2019, 04:38 PM   #6
The Rocknrod
Moderator

 
The Rocknrod's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: China Spring, TX
Posts: 7,280
Re: Battery Maintainer - Charger ?

I bought a shumacher? last night (at tractor supply) to put on my 2500HD Diesel, worked as advertised. Yesterday morning, no start. it was like 9 degrees though. Also plugged in my block heater. I'm in an apartment with a garage that the truck hangs out of (too long) so I guess when it gets cold it goes in there plugged in from now on.
The Rocknrod is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 11-13-2019, 05:21 PM   #7
mongocanfly
Post Whore

 
mongocanfly's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2015
Location: Alabama
Posts: 14,553
Re: Battery Maintainer - Charger ?

I've got these on my boat, 4 wheeler, lawn mower, and tractor...been running for yrs
Attached Images
 
__________________
Mongo...aka Greg

RIP Dad
RIP Jesse

1981 C30 LQ9 NV4500..http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=753598
Mongos AD- LS3 TR6060...http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...34#post8522334
Columbus..the 1957 IH 4x4...http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...63#post8082563
2023 Chevy Z71..daily driver
mongocanfly is online now   Reply With Quote
Old 11-13-2019, 09:06 PM   #8
rsavage
Registered User
 
rsavage's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: Alden NY
Posts: 2,705
Re: Battery Maintainer - Charger ?

I have 4 of the battery tender Jr.s like Mongo. I've replaced a couple over the years but they last many years. Five year warranty and made in the USA. About $25 each.
__________________
1961 C1 Corvette
1959 El Camino 350 TPI, 9" 4 w disc
69 Blazer K5 - sold July '20
2021 Durango RT 5.7
rsavage is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 11-14-2019, 10:03 AM   #9
rpmerf
Registered User
 
rpmerf's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2011
Location: Parkville, MD
Posts: 1,024
Re: Battery Maintainer - Charger ?

I've used the harbor freight one for years. I've read some bad reviews on them, so seems they might be hit or miss. I keep them on old batteries that I wouldn't trust in my car, but still hold a charge, so not a huge deal if they don't get charged. Overcharging is a different issue, so I have it on a lamp timer I run for about an hour a day. I check the voltage on and off every once in a while.
__________________
1970 C20 Custom Camper - 350, TH350
1997 GMC Suburban
1994 Acura Integra GSR
1987 Dodge Daytona Shelby Z
rpmerf is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 11-22-2019, 08:28 PM   #10
v30crewcab
Registered User
 
v30crewcab's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2012
Location: Chatt Tn
Posts: 957
Re: Battery Maintainer - Charger ?

I have a battery tender jr I've had for over 10 yrs. been dropped and cracked, and still works great.
__________________
88 military v30 crewcab shortbed 5.9 cummins, nv4500, 205
86 k30, 89 diesel burb, 76 gmc pathfinder
71 longbed 5.3 4l80
http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=522535
v30crewcab is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 11-24-2019, 10:49 AM   #11
Ironhorse
Senior Member
 
Ironhorse's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2001
Location: Wellington, Ks
Posts: 9,965
Re: Battery Maintainer - Charger ?

Quote:
Originally Posted by mongocanfly View Post
I've got these on my boat, 4 wheeler, lawn mower, and tractor...been running for yrs
Well, stopped in at Northern Tool & Equipt. yesterday and bought 4 of those. Had a big sale going on, I get their sales brochure and spotted these listed. Normal price was listed as $59.99, on sale for $17.99. $10 off coupon for anything over $50 spent so total of the 4 worked out to $15.49 each plus tax. Gives me one for my '71 4x4 truck, '71 Chevelle, 48'' ZTR and one left over for the '57 2 dr. when it comes home from paint. Hopefully will be set for awhile now with all the batteries and vehicles.
__________________
1971 Chevy 1/2T 4x4 LWB 350 V-8
Was sm465-now 350TH/np205
Tilt, Tach, Towhooks
Original Truck AM/FM
Wellington, Ks
Ironhorse is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 11-25-2019, 10:40 PM   #12
mongocanfly
Post Whore

 
mongocanfly's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2015
Location: Alabama
Posts: 14,553
Re: Battery Maintainer - Charger ?

Good deal...I need to get me a couple more...
__________________
Mongo...aka Greg

RIP Dad
RIP Jesse

1981 C30 LQ9 NV4500..http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=753598
Mongos AD- LS3 TR6060...http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...34#post8522334
Columbus..the 1957 IH 4x4...http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...63#post8082563
2023 Chevy Z71..daily driver
mongocanfly is online now   Reply With Quote
Old 12-01-2021, 07:06 PM   #13
cericd
Senior Member
 
cericd's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2012
Location: Texan, back in TX
Posts: 2,077
Re: Battery Maintainer - Charger ?

When y'all use these, I just got one of the Battery Tender Juniors, how do y'all hook them up. The instructions say for vehicles like my 1970 C10, with the negative cable grounded to the chassis (engine block), hook the positive wire of the Battery Tender to the + Positive post of the battery and the negative clip of the Battery Tender to the chassis or engine block of the vehicle. Well the wires for the Negative and Positive clips aren't long enough to spread that far apart. Can I just connect the Positive clip to the positive battery terminal and the Negative clip to the negative battery terminal?
__________________
Chris

My 1970 SWB C/10 - https://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/...d.php?t=534872
cericd is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 12-01-2021, 07:15 PM   #14
Ironhorse
Senior Member
 
Ironhorse's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2001
Location: Wellington, Ks
Posts: 9,965
Re: Battery Maintainer - Charger ?

I hook my battery tenders direct to the battery posts while the battery is still mounted in the car, truck or the ZTR. I hook up the alligator clips to the correct post as needed before I connect the maintainer itself to an electrical outlet. Have been very pleased with them since purchase. I do dis-connect the unit from the wall and then the battery before attempting to start the vehicle.
__________________
1971 Chevy 1/2T 4x4 LWB 350 V-8
Was sm465-now 350TH/np205
Tilt, Tach, Towhooks
Original Truck AM/FM
Wellington, Ks
Ironhorse is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 12-01-2021, 07:41 PM   #15
cericd
Senior Member
 
cericd's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2012
Location: Texan, back in TX
Posts: 2,077
Re: Battery Maintainer - Charger ?

Awesome! Thanks. This is my first time using one of these. Seems like they're a good thing to have for the health of you batteries.
__________________
Chris

My 1970 SWB C/10 - https://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/...d.php?t=534872
cericd is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 12-12-2021, 08:38 PM   #16
_Ogre
Registered User
 
_Ogre's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2012
Location: Motown
Posts: 7,660
Re: Battery Maintainer - Charger ?

Quote:
Originally Posted by _Ogre View Post
i bought a battery tender on sale a 3 years ago to replace the 5 year old $5 harbor fright battery float charger
still haven't used it cuz the $5 harbor fright charger is still chugging along
due to my shaved handles/keyless entry module i need to plug my 58 truk in anytime i don't drive it for a week
this one has lasted 8 yrs, last one fried due to the battery failing
i keep one on my mower too. my son uses them on his bike and 68 elco. my neighbor just bought 5 for his boat
another neighbor has a car collection, he bought 10 of them 5 yrs ago

i highly recommend the harbor fright charger, regular price is $10, they go on sale all the time for $5
they're cheap and they work great

automatic-battery-float-charger
funny thing about this thread popping up again...
i'm still using the (now) 8 year old harbor fright 500mA battery float charger.
i did buy a new NOCO GENIUS10, 10-Amp Fully-Automatic Smart Charger, 6V and 12V Battery Charger, Battery Maintainer, Trickle Charger, and Battery Desulfator with Temperature Compensation
i'll throw the noco on 58truk and the harbor fright on the mower this year
__________________
cool, an ogre smiley Ogre's 58 Truk build

how to put your truck year and build thread into your signature
shop air compressor timer
_Ogre is offline   Reply With Quote
Reply

Bookmarks

Thread Tools
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off

Forum Jump


All times are GMT -4. The time now is 11:27 PM.


Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.11
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions Inc.
Copyright 1997-2022 67-72chevytrucks.com