Battery minder or disconnect the battery?

[cantdrv55]

What do you guys do if you have to store the car for some time? If battery minder, which brand and where'd you get it?

[NY65912]

I use a Battery Tender brand on both my cars. Plug it in and forget it. Unplug the quick disconnect leads and go. The battery is always charged.

[timmy2]

Battery tender jr on the bike, battery tender plus on the cars.
Bought them online from some motorcross bike shop in CA 6 months ago on sale.

[nigel911]

Battery Tender, 4 bank - cars and two bikes. Plug it in and forget about it, brilliant piece of kit.

I think all new vehicles should come standard with an connector ready installed (the majority of bike dealers already do this).

[kidrock]

Battery Tender Plus....There Is No Substitute.

[Noah930]

I use a $20 Schumacher I bought from Walmart. I bought it for my bikes, but use it on the 911, as well. It might take a little bit longer to charge a drained battery than a dedicated car charger, but when you're talking long-term storage and topping off, what difference does it make? It's certainly cheaper than the Battery Tenders. And it works as well. Some would argue that it actually works better, as it'll charge up to 14.6 or 14.7 volts before floated back at a 13.5-13.7 volt level. Supposedly that higher temporary level actually charges a battery more fully than chargers (such as Battery Tenders and the vast majority) that only go to a max of about 13.6-13.7 volts.

http://www.walmart.com/ip/Schumacher-SpeedCharge-Battery-Maintainer-and-Charger/13005742

[porche]

When I bought my recent Porsche the PO told me he used a Schumacher battery maintainer on it and liked it. I did some online research and the reviews I read were very positive. As he left the quick disconnect attached on the battery I decided to keep things easy and drove to my local Advanced Auto and bought the same one for $33 and change. The quick disconnect makes it real convenient to use. The battery is always topped-off. And, the colored lights on the unit let you know that all is working properly. Our sponsor sells Battery Tender products that I hear are also a good product. Whatever you choose, these little devices can make you life easier for just a few dollars.

[porche]

My hat's off to Noah930! That $20 Schumacher @ Wal-Mart is the same one I paid $33 for. For $20, that unit is one great deal.

[AlfonsoR]

I have a larger Schumacher 75 amp charger, iirc. The thing I like about this unit is that it will stop charging the battery once it's fully charged, but I have not used it as a battery tender. Do the smaller units like your 20 amp also have that feature for preventing over-charge?

Any way, I disconnect the negative terminal on my battery and when needed, just slip the neg terminal over the post and go.

[djantlive]

i have both a schumacher and battery tender. they both are similar from what i can tell. i always charge mine when car is not driven for a week. it prolongs the life of the battery.

if you don't have power supply, disconnecting the battery is a good option. you can buy a quick disconnect kit which will also make the car harder to steal.

[Wayne 962]

Battery Tenders - they work great. Easy, here they are in the catalog:

Porsche 911 & Carrera Charging System - Page 3

-Wayne

[Jack Olsen]

Yep.

I have the lead hang from the ceiling, and a hard-wired piece in the car so I can easily take the plug out of the trunk and plug it in when I park.



The convenient thing is not having to use clamps. My battery is in the smuggler's box. Even when the car goes up in the air, I don't need to think about it.

When I'm not using the tender, the wire swings over to a hook on the garage center pillar. If I pull out and forget it, the connection snaps and nothing gets damaged.

[cantdrv55]

Thanks guys!

[H-viken]

I've tried the battery disconnects that you install on the battery and do not like them (at least not the ones I've found). They have not provided as good of a connection, resulting in various mysterious issues.

Further, regularly disconnecting the cables increases the risk for short circuiting your battery (don't ask me how I know).

IMO the trickle charger is the best alternative.

/Johan

[S2GART]

My wife bought me a "Craftsman" battery tender and I like it. Once you plug it in a message scrolls across the screen telling you what % the battery is at and then if needed the battery gets charged and the % goes up. Once fully charged, it says "maintaining". The kit came with both the clamps and a quick disconnect set up.

[kodioneill]

Battery tenders are the answer, if the battery sits the specific gravity of the acid drops and the plates begin to acquire a sulphide coating that diminishes the battery's performance. It only takes about two weeks for the process to start.

[Carrera3.2LG50]

To answer the OP and with apologies to Wayne...

I keep my car connected to a charger/maintainer all the time when she's in the garage. I have an Optima battery, so I selected the BatteryMINDer 2012-AGM (2013) charger/maintainer/desulfator that is designed specifically for AGM batteries. I ordered mine from Northern Tools.

[tobluforu]

I have a battery cut off, no minder, did have one on another car because of alarm, but never needed one on the 72. Disconnected the batttery in nov, car started right up in march. Battery is around 8 years old now.

[aoncurly]

Battery Tender Jr. - I used to have to charge my battery every month or so, but now I just plug it in and forget about it until I'm ready to drive.

[David]

I'm a firm believer in Battery Tenders, but make sure you check the water/acid level in the battery as noted in my battery explosion thread