Question about battery tender - Camaro5 Chevy Camaro Forum / Camaro ZL1, SS and V6 Forums

You Won't · 01-11-2015, 01:08 AM

First off, sorry if this is in the wrong place. Not real sure where to put it.

So I am pretty sure my battery is getting weak. I don't really have the extra cash to replace it currently. I know to some that the cost of the battery is probably not that substantial and normally it would not be to me but everyone has their own trials and tribulations. Anyway, I have a Yuasa Smartshot 900 battery tender/maintainer that I used to use on my bike before I sold the bike. Someone made me an "offer I couldn't refuse" lol! I was wondering if it would work to just keep the charge up when I am not driving it. I am only having the issue with the battery seeming to drain when it is below about 50 degrees. As long as I drive it everyday it seems to be ok but if it sits for more than a day without being driven then it has a hard time starting. I'm sure I need a new battery but like I said I can not afford one at the moment. I am thinking that the tender may work to just keep it up but will take a long time to charge it. Just need to use it for a month or 2 to help me along until I get some things lined out. Any input would be greatly appreciated. Thanks.

The details on the tender are as follows:
Input: 120Vac 0.18Aac 60Hz
Output: 12Vdc 900mAdc

Rock-It Man · 01-11-2015, 06:53 PM

Please provide more info: how old is the battery, how often do you go for weeks without starting the car, and most important, are there any aftermarket electrical devices in the car?

You Won't · 01-12-2015, 05:06 PM

2010 manufacutred in Sept 09 with the original battery. Nothing added electrical wise. Not trying to be a smart ass but I'm not sure what that has to do with whether or not the battery tender will serve the purpose until I can get the battery replaced. It only sits 3 days max at any given time. Also as I stated, I only have issues with it when it gets below about 50 degrees outside. If it stays above 50 I don't have a single issue with it starting under the same conditions.

Rock-It Man · 01-13-2015, 05:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by You Won't

2010 manufacutred in Sept 09 with the original battery. Nothing added electrical wise. Not trying to be a smart ass but I'm not sure what that has to do with whether or not the battery tender will serve the purpose until I can get the battery replaced. It only sits 3 days max at any given time. Also as I stated, I only have issues with it when it gets below about 50 degrees outside. If it stays above 50 I don't have a single issue with it starting under the same conditions.

The questions have to do with the age of the battery and how it has been treated.

I have a 2010 also, with original battery. In winter, the car sits with the tender attached for six straight months, but during the driving season, I have left the car for as long as two weeks at a time with no problem. A normal battery should be doing better than yours. I don't think the problem is reversible by attaching a battery tender, but you may be able to keep going for a while longer if you use it.

MATTESONDM · 01-13-2015, 05:55 AM

That tender will work, and probably buy you a month or so. If your battery is that bad then just start saving to buy a new one while its on charge.

Mark T · 01-13-2015, 09:55 AM

Havent used a Yuasa but I have heard they are good.

I have used the Battery Tender brand as well as the Ctek 4.3

Love the ctek so far, and its 7 levels of battery maintaining. Got it on Amazon for around 60 bucks.

L&M CAMARO 6 · 01-13-2015, 11:51 AM

Battery tender user here. Have used it for years when the cars are not in daily use.
Even the daily driver gets hooked up now that the weather is cool.
before I had the BT I would not get more than 3 years out of a battery.
Well worth a try, what do you have to loose?

You Won't · 01-13-2015, 07:54 PM

Thanks everyone. It always worked great on my bike I just wasn't sure if it would really work for my car.

patternpilot · 01-13-2015, 11:45 PM

I use the same battery tender on my motorcycles as I use on the cars. The only difference with the lower output is if your car battery is discharged, it will take longer to charge because of its larger capacity, but it will charge.

01-11-2015, 01:08 AM	#1
You Won't Nothin wrong with dreamin Drives: Camaro SS Join Date: Jan 2014 Location: All over the road Posts: 88	Question about battery tender First off, sorry if this is in the wrong place. Not real sure where to put it. So I am pretty sure my battery is getting weak. I don't really have the extra cash to replace it currently. I know to some that the cost of the battery is probably not that substantial and normally it would not be to me but everyone has their own trials and tribulations. Anyway, I have a Yuasa Smartshot 900 battery tender/maintainer that I used to use on my bike before I sold the bike. Someone made me an "offer I couldn't refuse" lol! I was wondering if it would work to just keep the charge up when I am not driving it. I am only having the issue with the battery seeming to drain when it is below about 50 degrees. As long as I drive it everyday it seems to be ok but if it sits for more than a day without being driven then it has a hard time starting. I'm sure I need a new battery but like I said I can not afford one at the moment. I am thinking that the tender may work to just keep it up but will take a long time to charge it. Just need to use it for a month or 2 to help me along until I get some things lined out. Any input would be greatly appreciated. Thanks. The details on the tender are as follows: Input: 120Vac 0.18Aac 60Hz Output: 12Vdc 900mAdc

01-13-2015, 05:55 AM	#5
MATTESONDM Drives: 2004 Dodge Ram SRT-10 Join Date: Jul 2014 Location: Indian Head, MD Posts: 307	That tender will work, and probably buy you a month or so. If your battery is that bad then just start saving to buy a new one while its on charge. __________________ 2004 Dodge Ram SRT-10

01-13-2015, 09:55 AM	#6
Mark T American Gold Whisperer Drives: 2014 White 1LE 2SS/RS/NPP/Rec/Nav Join Date: May 2014 Location: Northern Utah Posts: 838	Havent used a Yuasa but I have heard they are good. I have used the Battery Tender brand as well as the Ctek 4.3 Love the ctek so far, and its 7 levels of battery maintaining. Got it on Amazon for around 60 bucks. __________________

01-13-2015, 11:45 PM	#9
patternpilot Drives: 2012 2SS/RS Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: Tri-Cities WA. Posts: 928 View My Garage	I use the same battery tender on my motorcycles as I use on the cars. The only difference with the lower output is if your car battery is discharged, it will take longer to charge because of its larger capacity, but it will charge. __________________ There's more to life than gas mileage LS3, Whipple, Custom Comp Cam, springs, pushrods, timing set, CAI intake, Apex cold air scoop, Doug Thorley TRI-Y headers, Billet Custom Products baffled Valve covers, Mighty Mouse Catch can, ADM FPCM, ZL1 fuel pump, MSD boost-a-pump, Hex Vent hood vents, ProSport gauges(fuel pressure, AFR, Boost), Corsa, 100 cell Cats. Jannetty remote tuned, Pfadt trailing arms, all parts user installed. No Dyno yet. Manual trans. 3.45 gears.

01-11-2015, 06:53 PM	#2
Rock-It Man 376 cubic inches of fun Drives: 2023 Camaro ZL1 A10 Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: MA Posts: 4,031 View My Garage	Please provide more info: how old is the battery, how often do you go for weeks without starting the car, and most important, are there any aftermarket electrical devices in the car?

01-12-2015, 05:06 PM	#3
You Won't Nothin wrong with dreamin Drives: Camaro SS Join Date: Jan 2014 Location: All over the road Posts: 88	2010 manufacutred in Sept 09 with the original battery. Nothing added electrical wise. Not trying to be a smart ass but I'm not sure what that has to do with whether or not the battery tender will serve the purpose until I can get the battery replaced. It only sits 3 days max at any given time. Also as I stated, I only have issues with it when it gets below about 50 degrees outside. If it stays above 50 I don't have a single issue with it starting under the same conditions.

01-13-2015, 11:51 AM	#7
L&M CAMARO 6 Drives: Just a fan for now Join Date: Apr 2014 Location: ROCKPILE, Illinois Posts: 361	Battery tender user here. Have used it for years when the cars are not in daily use. Even the daily driver gets hooked up now that the weather is cool. before I had the BT I would not get more than 3 years out of a battery. Well worth a try, what do you have to loose?

01-13-2015, 07:54 PM	#8
You Won't Nothin wrong with dreamin Drives: Camaro SS Join Date: Jan 2014 Location: All over the road Posts: 88	Thanks everyone. It always worked great on my bike I just wasn't sure if it would really work for my car.