Charger Question

kevman65

Hooked
Specifically, solar powered Battery Tender.

Anyone use one? Do they do the job of maintaining an automotive battery of a vehicle that mostly sits?

My backup vehicle is an 2008 Chevy Uplander Soccer Mom mini van that I've gutted the interior from behind the front seats to the rear lift gate.
It has a parasitic draw somewhere, so I want to get a solar powered battery charger to keep a charge on the battery. Hoping for some feedback before I drop a Benjamin on the set up.

Thanks
 

cozdude

Guy with a Red 2-Door
Specifically, solar powered Battery Tender.

Anyone use one? Do they do the job of maintaining an automotive battery of a vehicle that mostly sits?

My backup vehicle is an 2008 Chevy Uplander Soccer Mom mini van that I've gutted the interior from behind the front seats to the rear lift gate.
It has a parasitic draw somewhere, so I want to get a solar powered battery charger to keep a charge on the battery. Hoping for some feedback before I drop a Benjamin on the set up.

Thanks
Check the battery. Gonna sound weird but a guy at work was fighting a parasitic draw on a car last week. Car had no issues starting or running. He removed every fuse to see what module was causing the draw. Draw was still there. Tested battery. Battery had a bad cell internally. Replaced battery and draw went from 500A down to an acceptable level below 500mA
 

kevman65

Hooked
Check the battery. Gonna sound weird but a guy at work was fighting a parasitic draw on a car last week. Car had no issues starting or running. He removed every fuse to see what module was causing the draw. Draw was still there. Tested battery. Battery had a bad cell internally. Replaced battery and draw went from 500A down to an acceptable level below 500mA
Battery is new, had the same problem with old battery. I believe one of the contacts for sliding door is faulty and constantly sending a signal. Repair cost is almost as much as van is worth.

So, I figured if the solar powered Battery Tender will maintain the charge as it says, I may get one and put the solar panel in the windshield, hook to OBD port and leave it in there.
 

jeeeep

Hooked
Specifically, solar powered Battery Tender.

Anyone use one? Do they do the job of maintaining an automotive battery of a vehicle that mostly sits?

My backup vehicle is an 2008 Chevy Uplander Soccer Mom mini van that I've gutted the interior from behind the front seats to the rear lift gate.
It has a parasitic draw somewhere, so I want to get a solar powered battery charger to keep a charge on the battery. Hoping for some feedback before I drop a Benjamin on the set up.

Thanks
Make sure it's compatible with the type of battery you have.

I ruined 2 Odyssey AMG batteries in my JKU with a parasitic draw because the solar trickle charger I used was not compatible. At times it allowed the voltage to drop too low then charge it but, I learned when an AGM battery drops below 12.2 volts too often and for too long, they will not recharge. Odyssey replaced the 2 batteries but informed me they will not replace it again because of how I was using or rather not using it.

I now have an Interstate lead acid battery in the JKU but the parasitic draw sometimes gets the better of the solar trickle charger and still end up with a dead battery. The charger is supposed to be able to charge the battery from dead, but it doesn't, makes me think I don't have enough panel output. I have to say, that Interstate battery has taken a lot of charges from complete dead and it's still good.

I'm guessing the Battery Tender brand with its smart features is much better than the cheap trickle charger I have, and I've looked at their solar kit.

I've also determined using the cable that gets permanently attached to the battery vs the clips do seem to help on how well the battery charges with solar.
 

kevman65

Hooked
Make sure it's compatible with the type of battery you have.

I ruined 2 Odyssey AMG batteries in my JKU with a parasitic draw because the solar trickle charger I used was not compatible. At times it allowed the voltage to drop too low then charge it but, I learned when an AGM battery drops below 12.2 volts too often and for too long, they will not recharge. Odyssey replaced the 2 batteries but informed me they will not replace it again because of how I was using or rather not using it.

I now have an Interstate lead acid battery in the JKU but the parasitic draw sometimes gets the better of the solar trickle charger and still end up with a dead battery. The charger is supposed to be able to charge the battery from dead, but it doesn't, makes me think I don't have enough panel output. I have to say, that Interstate battery has taken a lot of charges from complete dead and it's still good.

I'm guessing the Battery Tender brand with its smart features is much better than the cheap trickle charger I have, and I've looked at their solar kit.

I've also determined using the cable that gets permanently attached to the battery vs the clips do seem to help on how well the battery charges with solar.
The one I'm looking at claims compatibility with Lead/AGM/LiPo batteries. The problem is the one that plugs into OBDII or cigar lighter claims to only be a maintainer, not a charger for cars/trucks/SUVs.

I can get a DelTran that charges and maintains, but it has to be hard wired to battery.

Looking at NAPA branded stuff now, but can't find who makes them.
 

jeeeep

Hooked
The one I'm looking at claims compatibility with Lead/AGM/LiPo batteries. The problem is the one that plugs into OBDII or cigar lighter claims to only be a maintainer, not a charger for cars/trucks/SUVs.

I can get a DelTran that charges and maintains, but it has to be hard wired to battery.

Looking at NAPA branded stuff now, but can't find who makes them.
BatteryTender has this one that will charge
 

Breer

Caught the Bug
I have used a cheap one from Amazon on my boat for when it's parked. Seemed to work alright but I wouldn't trust it to charge over a parasitic draw. For me, it's just about prolonging the life of the batteries. You could install a master battery disconnect switch to prevent it from draining the battery... Or run an extension cord to a better battery charger/maintainer which is what I do with my boat now for probably less money than the solar charger.
 
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