Best Battery Tender Available For Long Term Storage - Poll - Camaro5 Chevy Camaro Forum / Camaro ZL1, SS and V6 Forums

Mark T · 11-02-2014, 10:42 PM

I need a battery tender. Storage time estimate: 5 months.

I want to know the best there is.
Best for the battery and best for the car.

Vote in the poll above on brand, and post your favorite model numbers below if you will.

Thank you.

el ess A · 11-03-2014, 03:46 AM

If the battery is in good condition when stored, I've had nothing but good luck with all 5 of my Deltran Battery Tender JR's. Make sure to get the Junior model. Takes up no room and hooks right up under the hood. Plug it in and forget it.

I cannot recommend the POS full sized Deltran battery tender. I've had 3 of those and they all broke after some time. There may be great chargers out there with all sorts of gizmos, but they usually cost plenty. For the money, you can't beat the BT JR. Works with AGM batteries too.

45thCamaro · 11-03-2014, 04:35 AM

I think I have this same model as el ess A. I know they make a tiny one where the unit is act sulu on the wiring as apposed to the smaller one that you put on a shelf. I have the small shelf one also look into getting the extension cable I think it's like 20-25'.

Mark T · 11-03-2014, 12:11 PM

Thanks for the info.

I know it is early in the winter planning, and many of you of course live where this isnt a problem, but I live where winter comes hard and fast. My car is already mothballed and I know I will be needing a tender soon enough.

45thCamaro · 11-03-2014, 06:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mark T

Thanks for the info.

I know it is early in the winter planning, and many of you of course live where this isnt a problem, but I live where winter comes hard and fast. My car is already mothballed and I know I will be needing a tender soon enough.

I'm in queens. My car is already put away. What are you doing with the mothballs? Interior? I've read about coving your exhaust to keep bugs from crawling in there.

Mark T · 11-03-2014, 08:19 PM

I hope you know that was a figure of speech. Otherwise my 1LE would sure stink by spring lol.

Mark T · 11-04-2014, 06:52 PM

Need more feedback.

I will need to get one this month.

Your opinions greatly appreciated.

Smirnoff · 11-05-2014, 09:51 AM

Deltran - had 1 go south....quickly replaced for free w/o questions.

shibbs · 11-05-2014, 09:54 AM

My whole family runs Schumacher.

Never an issue here, even with 8+ year old units.

JCunningham · 11-08-2014, 01:20 AM

5mo isnt long term. Probably wouldnt even need a tender if disconnected. I just bought 2 Deltran Jrs. one for car one for bike.

Indydriver · 11-18-2014, 03:04 AM

Also researching this now. Based on what I've seen, I like CTEK the best. Will probably go with the MUS 4.3. All the features you'd want (Desulf, recond) set it and forget it, 5 yr warranty. More expensive than battery tenders but I want to buy once and the OP said he wants the best. This looks like the one.

http://smartercharger.com/battery-ch...lti%20US%204.3

Nice hair Jay!

camguynj · 11-18-2014, 05:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Indydriver

Also researching this now. Based on what I've seen, I like CTEK the best. Will probably go with the MUS 4.3. All the features you'd want (Desulf, recond) set it and forget it, 5 yr warranty. More expensive than battery tenders but I want to buy once and the OP said he wants the best. This looks like the one.

http://smartercharger.com/battery-ch...lti%20US%204.3

Nice hair Jay!

What he said ^^^ Deltrans are made for MOTORCYCLE batteries and small car batteries (not for the size of the one in our cars). Do your homework and compare Deltran to CTEK ...no comparison! If you're gonna go with a Deltran and trust your large 720CCA battery to a rinky dink flashing light that leaves you guessing on what's going on then just like Clint Eastwood says " you have to ask yourself ... am I feeling lucking today?"

I had both. Started with a Deltran Jr (.75amps) and then got the biggest Deltran ( only 1.5 amps) and both couldn't get my 2 yr old battery to float mode, both would shut off after 8hrs (read the fine print). That's when I got a CTEK MUS 4.3amp

I set it in Cold mode (it first showed I had some Desulfation from what those Fnnn Deltran chargers did to my battery, then it went thru all its stages until getting to float mode.

ps- my car is kept covered outside. Ctek has Cold mode charging for when temp is 40 or lower ( which I think you're gonna need in northern Utah), Deltran doesn't which makes me think Deltrans are more suited for inside use. In addition Ctek has a Pulse mode that kicks in after the battery has been in Float mode for more than 10 days, Deltran doesn't.

el ess A · 11-18-2014, 05:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by camguynj

What he said ^^^ Deltrans are made for MOTORCYCLE batteries and small car batteries (not for the size of the one in our cars). Do your homework and compare Deltran to CTEK ...no comparison! If you're gonna go with a Deltran and trust your large 720CCA battery to a rinky dink flashing light that leaves you guessing on what's going on then just like Clint Eastwood says " you have to ask yourself ... am I feeling lucking today?"

I had both. Started with a Deltran Jr (.75amps) and then got the biggest Deltran ( only 1.5 amps) and both couldn't get my 2 yr old battery to float mode, both would shut off after 8rs (read the fine print). That's when I got a CTEK MUS 4.3amp

I set it in Cold mode (it first showed I had some Desulfation from what those Fnnn Deltran chargers did to my battery, then it went thru all its stages until getting to float mode.

That's 1 opinion. I've used the jrs. extensively with no issues. Now, all my batteries are in good shape to begin with, so no issues by maintaining them. Can't say how it would act if your battery isn't up to snuff to begin with. If you need a charger, then buy a charger.

I bought the jrs. for battery maintenance. For the price, you cannot beat the bang for the buck. Been charging the 2010 factory battery on the jr. for 5 years no problems and the ZL1 for over 1 year running, again, no issues. The 6 year old battery in my 87 442 still cranks the car right up after coming out of storage as does the 4 year old battery in my rider mower. So I call your claim about the jrs. only for small batteries a big stew of BS.

trashmanssd · 11-18-2014, 06:11 AM

Always go smart charger what ever brand you chose and also can always add one these (see link below) if you want to try save few bucks no need to leave it on all day. Like most stuff in our house just wasting power being on all the time.

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00...f_rd_i=desktop

View Poll Results: Best Battery Tender
Deltran	12	37.50%
Yausa	0	0%
CTEK	14	43.75%
Schumacher	5	15.63%
Other - post below	1	3.13%
Voters: 32. You may not vote on this poll

11-02-2014, 10:42 PM	#1
Mark T American Gold Whisperer Drives: 2014 White 1LE 2SS/RS/NPP/Rec/Nav Join Date: May 2014 Location: Northern Utah Posts: 838	Best Battery Tender Available For Long Term Storage - Poll I need a battery tender. Storage time estimate: 5 months. I want to know the best there is. Best for the battery and best for the car. Vote in the poll above on brand, and post your favorite model numbers below if you will. Thank you. __________________

11-03-2014, 03:46 AM	#2
el ess A Older Than Dirt Drives: 2010 & 2013 Camaros Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Aiken, SC Posts: 4,563	If the battery is in good condition when stored, I've had nothing but good luck with all 5 of my Deltran Battery Tender JR's. Make sure to get the Junior model. Takes up no room and hooks right up under the hood. Plug it in and forget it. I cannot recommend the POS full sized Deltran battery tender. I've had 3 of those and they all broke after some time. There may be great chargers out there with all sorts of gizmos, but they usually cost plenty. For the money, you can't beat the BT JR. Works with AGM batteries too. __________________ 2010 2SS TE, 1 of 822/2013 Camaro ZL1 vert, 1 of 54

11-03-2014, 12:11 PM	#4
Mark T American Gold Whisperer Drives: 2014 White 1LE 2SS/RS/NPP/Rec/Nav Join Date: May 2014 Location: Northern Utah Posts: 838	Thanks for the info. I know it is early in the winter planning, and many of you of course live where this isnt a problem, but I live where winter comes hard and fast. My car is already mothballed and I know I will be needing a tender soon enough. __________________

11-03-2014, 08:19 PM	#6
Mark T American Gold Whisperer Drives: 2014 White 1LE 2SS/RS/NPP/Rec/Nav Join Date: May 2014 Location: Northern Utah Posts: 838	I hope you know that was a figure of speech. Otherwise my 1LE would sure stink by spring lol. __________________

11-03-2014, 04:35 AM	#3
45thCamaro Drives: 2012 Camaro 45th Anniversary RS Join Date: Nov 2012 Location: New York Posts: 2,418	I think I have this same model as el ess A. I know they make a tiny one where the unit is act sulu on the wiring as apposed to the smaller one that you put on a shelf. I have the small shelf one also look into getting the extension cable I think it's like 20-25'.

11-04-2014, 06:52 PM	#7
Mark T American Gold Whisperer Drives: 2014 White 1LE 2SS/RS/NPP/Rec/Nav Join Date: May 2014 Location: Northern Utah Posts: 838	Need more feedback. I will need to get one this month. Your opinions greatly appreciated. __________________

11-05-2014, 09:51 AM	#8
Smirnoff Drives: Camaro SS Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Motorcity Dragway Posts: 978	Deltran - had 1 go south....quickly replaced for free w/o questions. __________________ 11.90's w/headers, CAI, custom tune, slicks/skinnys, shifter & 100+ Ethyl.

11-08-2014, 01:20 AM	#10
JCunningham Drives: 2017 2SS M6 Join Date: Jun 2013 Location: WNY Posts: 7,071	5mo isnt long term. Probably wouldnt even need a tender if disconnected. I just bought 2 Deltran Jrs. one for car one for bike. __________________ real ZL1 wheels and brakes, 285/305 Michelin Pilot Super Sports, Pray ported Intake manifold, Soler Throttle Body, Rotofab intake, EFI Tuning Flex fuel kit, full American Racing Headers Exhaust, 1 7/8" w/ cats H pipe and mufflers. Full 1LE suspension, with BMR adjustable sway bars and links, GM aluminum cradle bushings, Hurst shifter with lighter reverse spring, TWM shifter knob, Tick level 1 transmission. I should have bought a ZL1

11-18-2014, 06:11 AM	#14
trashmanssd Drives: Black 14 2SS/1LE/RS 14 Tundra Join Date: Dec 2013 Location: Plymouth, Ma Posts: 2,414	Always go smart charger what ever brand you chose and also can always add one these (see link below) if you want to try save few bucks no need to leave it on all day. Like most stuff in our house just wasting power being on all the time. http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00...f_rd_i=desktop