Battery Tender Advice
#1
Battery Tender Advice
Getting ready to put my baby to bed if weather, snow depth gets bad. It' Ohio, so who can tell? I want to purchase a good battery tender for my girl. I've spent many hours online trying to find one that is proper for my 98Xk8 convertible. I don't mind spending the $$$ if it is the right one. Daddy always said, "Don't buy a Buick to swat a fly"., but Grandma always countered with, "You get what you pay for". It seems like every time I check out a higher end one, the customer reviews complain of unit getting hot or overcharging! Anyone out there have experience these devices? Any suggestion? I have come to realize how critical voltages are to these cars. If I'm good to my girl, then she'll be good to me.
#2
Join Date: Apr 2014
Location: Jersey, Channel Islands
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Stumpy (12-23-2021)
#3
I have several Battery Tender (tm) baby sitters made by Deltran (tm). I've not had any problems but a couple friends (non-Jag drivers but good folks nonetheless) did and Deltran stood behind them. All things with and an electric starter at my house has a hook up on the battery. My .02 yours for .00. TM
#4
Join Date: Jul 2019
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TedV (12-23-2021)
#5
The voltage is critical ..not over 14v.
I use a standard electronic charger which has a 14.2v setting and drop the voltage with a diode in the lead which reduces it to 13.5v giving a 0.7v drop . I have this on 24/7 when the car is not in use
.Car Battery Charger 10A 12V/24V Smart Automatic Intelligent Pulse Repair AGM GEL | eBay
diodes 10 AMP DIODES 1000V DIODE 10A10 X4 PIECES 10A 1000V HIGH VOLTAGE SOLAR PANEL | eBay
ring end towards battery positive .
I use a standard electronic charger which has a 14.2v setting and drop the voltage with a diode in the lead which reduces it to 13.5v giving a 0.7v drop . I have this on 24/7 when the car is not in use
.Car Battery Charger 10A 12V/24V Smart Automatic Intelligent Pulse Repair AGM GEL | eBay
diodes 10 AMP DIODES 1000V DIODE 10A10 X4 PIECES 10A 1000V HIGH VOLTAGE SOLAR PANEL | eBay
ring end towards battery positive .
#6
Fit a CTEK MXS 5.0 smart charger as michaelh suggests - select mode for a standard or AGM battery - it is a fit and forget solution.
DO NOT fit a series diode to a smart charger as that will disable the ability for it to monitor the battery voltage !
The CTEK charger will charge and then maintain the battery automatically, by monitoring the voltage and only applying a charging voltage/current when the voltage drops below a certain level. No problem with gassing or over/under charging.
See chart:
DO NOT fit a series diode to a smart charger as that will disable the ability for it to monitor the battery voltage !
The CTEK charger will charge and then maintain the battery automatically, by monitoring the voltage and only applying a charging voltage/current when the voltage drops below a certain level. No problem with gassing or over/under charging.
See chart:
#7
Join Date: Jan 2018
Location: on the road in NE Oklahoma
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Another satisfied Delran Battery Tender + user. I’ve been using them for 15-20 years . Very reliable. My 12v car batteries are lasting 8-10 years. I keep the battery tender engaged whenever the car(s) are parked overnight or longer. Seems to keep the XKR very happy electrically.
Another positive; the Delran has a very tough sheet metal case. I’ve ran over mine at least 3 times. It doesn’t look new pristine anymore, but works like a champ.
I know they are somewhat less pricey than the CTEC tenders
Amazon sells them for about $55
Battery Tender Plus 12V Battery Charger and Maintainer: 1.25 AMP Powersport Battery Charger and Maintainer for Motorcycles, ATVs, UTVs - Smart 12 Volt Automatic Float Charger - 021-0128
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00068XCQU/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_glt_fabc_ZVV2HAF2QMCR4T9TNNHC?_ encoding=UTF8&psc=1
Z
Another positive; the Delran has a very tough sheet metal case. I’ve ran over mine at least 3 times. It doesn’t look new pristine anymore, but works like a champ.
I know they are somewhat less pricey than the CTEC tenders
Amazon sells them for about $55
Battery Tender Plus 12V Battery Charger and Maintainer: 1.25 AMP Powersport Battery Charger and Maintainer for Motorcycles, ATVs, UTVs - Smart 12 Volt Automatic Float Charger - 021-0128
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00068XCQU/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_glt_fabc_ZVV2HAF2QMCR4T9TNNHC?_ encoding=UTF8&psc=1
Z
Last edited by zray; 12-23-2021 at 09:19 AM.
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#8
Just bought myself an Odyssey AGM BATTERY, they make chargers as well - high end - available at Summit Racing - AGM BATTERIES have benefits for older Jags with electricals that sap the battery. Time will tell.
Getting ready to put my baby to bed if weather, snow depth gets bad. It' Ohio, so who can tell? I want to purchase a good battery tender for my girl. I've spent many hours online trying to find one that is proper for my 98Xk8 convertible. I don't mind spending the $$$ if it is the right one. Daddy always said, "Don't buy a Buick to swat a fly"., but Grandma always countered with, "You get what you pay for". It seems like every time I check out a higher end one, the customer reviews complain of unit getting hot or overcharging! Anyone out there have experience these devices? Any suggestion? I have come to realize how critical voltages are to these cars. If I'm good to my girl, then she'll be good to me.
#9
+1 for the CTEK .
I have had one fitted to my 2001 XKR via the CTEK comfort connector for several years and never had an issue. Always starts first time after the winter layup.
Far better than disconnecting the battery as no need to reset windows and radio.
I use a CTEK stop/start with the Land Rover Discovery Sport as this is a "battery killer" like the Jag again with no issues.
I have had one fitted to my 2001 XKR via the CTEK comfort connector for several years and never had an issue. Always starts first time after the winter layup.
Far better than disconnecting the battery as no need to reset windows and radio.
I use a CTEK stop/start with the Land Rover Discovery Sport as this is a "battery killer" like the Jag again with no issues.
#11
#12
When I acquired my 07 Jag I was having problems keeping a charge on the battery, it was only three years old, after some research I found this was a common problem and after looking into it further, I acquired an AGM battery - bought it online from AUTOZONE, got a notice that it wasn't available, AUTOZONE involved the Odyssey Rep and to my amazement, they (he) sent me a battery to get me through and when the proper battery went into production a few weeks later, they sent me out the correct battery for my vehicle (07 XKR) and it fit like a glove. Talking with the Odyssey Rep, I learned a lot about AGM's, I think anyone replacing a battery would do themselves a favor by investigating an AGM ... there an initial drawback, I believe it was $375 after the core return, but you get what you pay for. AGM's don't need to be vented, you can shoot a bullet through one and they don't leak (good for a James Bond 007 Jaguar if you have one I guess) and they have extra cranking power that they somehow save when they get low (magic?) and with proper care they last 10 years, you cannot 'over charge' it, it won't leak acid even when punctured, they lose power slowly so you won't find yourself stranded like you can be with a conventional battery -- so other than the sticker shock, there's really not a downside. We're all most likely driving a vintage Jags, it's well known that early Jag's electricals are battery killers, so spending double or triple to have peace of mind ... I mean they all look cool when they're parked ... but they look better when they start and go down the road.
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STLTHMSTA (12-28-2021)
#13
I've been using NOCO GENIUS1, 1-Amp Fully-Automatic Smart Charger, 6V And 12V Battery Charger, Battery Maintainer, And Battery Desulfator With Temperature Compensation on two vehicles year round for 2 years. I selected them after some casual research but I don't recall why. I have no significant knowledge of such devices in any case. I've been satisfied and have had no disruptions or bad outcomes. OTOH, since the two vehicles are parked below my living quarters, it comes to mind that fire suppression capabilities might not be a bad idea.
Last edited by jdivoky; 12-23-2021 at 03:48 PM.
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blindside (12-27-2021)
#15
Battery Tender Advice
My many thanks to all who responded to my request for advice on which battery tender to buy. I researched each one checking reviews both pro and con. Not one of them got perfect ratings every time, so I had to use a little of the SWAG method to determine which one to buy. Per Graham's admonition, "GET A BATTERY TENDER"! I finally did and actually hooked it up today. I'll report back at a future date to say how it turned out. Again, my thanks to all who took the time to guide me in the right direction.
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ozbot (12-28-2021)
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DavidYau (12-28-2021)
#17
Don't do that ....
A) Batteries freeze around -76°CF, good luck with that
B) If they do freeze, the case most likely will rupture, making the battery useless
C) In the event a battery would freeze, the internal electrical connections will be damaged as a result as well
Happy New Year!
#20
F150?
Happy New Year All!
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ozbot (12-28-2021)