Use of Battery Tender

[Robert M.]

I bought a new restoration battery at Carlisle this year from Antique Battery. They actually make the batteries that Restoration Battery sells. I was told emphatically that the technology has changed and to absolutely not use the Battery Tender charger on this battery. They told me if the battery needs charging at any time, to put a stand charger on it, but otherwise just leave the battery switch open and start the car evey couple of months over the winter. Anyone else heard this information? I called the makers of Battery Tender, and it was news to them.

[Kenneth B.]

Re: Use of Battery Tender

I bought a new restoration battery at Carlisle this year from Antique Battery. They actually make the batteries that Restoration Battery sells. I was told emphatically that the technology has changed and to absolutely not use the Battery Tender charger on this battery. They told me if the battery needs charging at any time, to put a stand charger on it, but otherwise just leave the battery switch open and start the car evey couple of months over the winter. Anyone else heard this information? I called the makers of Battery Tender, and it was news to them.

If that is the case I would take the damn battery out & put in a NAPA & let the restoration one set on the bench till you show the car. I would NOT start my Corvettes every 2 months as it dose more harm than good. I have trickle chargers on all my toys & have not bought a battery in 4 years.

[Dale C.]

Re: Use of Battery Tender

News to me. No problems in years using them.

[Russ S.]

Re: Use of Battery Tender

These are the gel battery's and from what I understand should not have a battery tender on them.

[Jim L.]

Re: Use of Battery Tender

These are the gel battery's and from what I understand should not have a battery tender on them.

I think there could be something to this.

I killed an Optima battery in short order once by keeping a battery tender on it. It lasted only a few months.

The replacement Optima, which has never seen a battery tender, is several years old and working fine.

I recognize than an Optima is not a gel battery. But if one type of battery could be ruined by a tender, it stands to reason that other types could be similarly damaged by the use of a tender.

Of course YMMV....

Jim

[Larry M.]

Re: Use of Battery Tender

Purchased my last Restoration Battery about 7 years ago. Battery is for my 1967 car. I have used a Battery Tender and/or CTEK charger on this battery all during this time. It still performs well and starts the car every time. I don't know what has changed during this time period??

Now the older reproduction wet acid batteries were a different sort. They only lasted 1-2 years no matter what I did.

I wonder if Tom at Reproduction Battery is still advertising and selling his Battery Minder small charger??

Larry

[Steve L.]

Re: Use of Battery Tender

I used a CTEK on my Optima yellow all winter and it is fine. I wonder if there is a difference between the battery tender and ctek.

[David K.]

Re: Use of Battery Tender

I have bought 2 of these batteries from Tom at Restoration Battery. One is in my 66 ChevyII. The other one has not been used and is stored in a closet in the garage. He mentioned to me when I purchased them that a Deltran battery tender should not be used. He gave me some reason but I forget what it was. He recommended instead to buy a maintainer from him to use on these batteries which I did at a considerbly higher cost than the Deltran. That maintainer is the one used on the spare in the closet. I don't recall the name of this maintainer but if anyone would like to know the brand I would be happy to look and report back. The battery in my 66 ChevyII has been on a Deltran battery tender constantly for 3 years without any problems whatsoever. I ASSuME these are AGM batteries similar to the battery in my 08 Z06 which is kept on a Deltran tender constantly. So I am at a loss as to why you supposedly can use one but not the other.

Dave

[Jim D.]

Re: Use of Battery Tender

Your battery has an ODYSSEY, NOT Optima, battery inside a reproduction case. If you want the correct info. and charging details, go to the Odyssey site at - http://www.odysseybattery.com/ultimizer.aspx

[Patrick H.]

Re: Use of Battery Tender

I have not had any problems with my Restoration Battery and a Battery MINDer, though I think after 9+ years the battery is finally dead.
I use a CTEK on my 2008, and also on Dad's 2002. They're meant for gel batteries while the Battery Tender is not.

[Patrick H.]

Re: Use of Battery Tender

Your battery has an ODYSSEY, NOT Optima, battery inside a reproduction case. If you want the correct info. and charging details, go to the Odyssey site at - http://www.odysseybattery.com/ultimizer.aspx

Anyone have a clue how to easily open up a repro case and replace the Odyssey? I would love to know.

[Jim D.]

Re: Use of Battery Tender

Anyone have a clue how to easily open up a repro case and replace the Odyssey? I would love to know.

I asked Antique Battery that very question. They said that in the event there is a failure of the battery,(or more likely the connections from the internal to the external posts), they end up destroying the case in the process of diagnosing the source of the problem. Also, the Odyssey battery that they use is specially made for them and is not available from Odyssey directly.

[Stuart F.]

Re: Use of Battery Tender

My restoration battery went completely dead, thanks to my alternator. I had the alternator rebuilt, then packed it away for the next live owner and replaced it with a new one I had which was built in 1969 as a replacement. I checked with Tom at Restoration Battery and he gave me some tips on how to bring the battery back up which I followed with success. He also advised me that it I should not use my old model Battery Minder on this battery. Based on my common year round usage of my car here in Florida, I continue my practice of pulling the ground interrupt knife switch at shutdown, and before startup again, re-engage and check the voltage across the terminals. If it reads at or above 12 volts I am good to go. So far, with my normal maximum shutdown period of two weeks, my battery has never dropped below 12.2 volts.

Stu Fox

[Jim D.]

Re: Use of Battery Tender

If it reads at or above 12 volts I am good to go. So far, with my normal maximum shutdown period of two weeks, my battery has never dropped below 12.2 volts.
Stu Fox

12.2 volts indicates a 50% discharged battery. Fully charged should be 12.7+ volts.

[Stuart F.]

Re: Use of Battery Tender

When I return from a drive, on occasion I will check the voltage and it is usually at or above 12.62 volts. The battery seems to operate effectively in that range, I.e. 12.2 to 12.62 volts. Even at 12.2 volts, it will crank the engine to start w/o a prime and no noticeable slowing of cranking speed. All the hot soak restarts have been good as well.

Stu Fox