Does anyone here have had a real world bad experience with them. Not from your long lost cousin 3 times removed or you heard from someone that someone had a bad experience. ONLY YOU YOUR SELF. I have used 5-6 of them for several years without a failure. Thanks
The reason i ask is this is the third year in a row that a returning snowbird friend of mine came over for a visit so see what my inter projects were coming along. He see's my cars with the HF tenders on them and begins stating for $5.95 you risk burning your barn and everything in it down. Like i have stated i have used them for years without a single problem. Just wanted your guys thoughts.
As far as the name brand one's for $40 i can buy a new "BLEM" battery from my friend who own's a huge distributorship for the same amount of coin.
I've never tried the HF version. I have had battery tenders for decades. Started with a Battery Tender for motorcycle which lasted 12-15 years than replaced that with a Jr which I had for motorcycle and now charges my riding mower in shed and I bought a 4 bank (10 years old) for in my garage which charges motorcycle, my car, friends truck and a spare for now.
Much of the low cost Chinese stuff at HF can be downright dangerous to use especially anything electrical... They copy everything including the "UL Listed" labeling.
Your friend has a valid point and in my opinion you should be aware of the potential ramifications.
Have 3 in use at one time, never had any issue. But always been in back of my mind about failing. If the car is has sentimental valve I would get name brand. If not HF one and have enough ins coverage. Lol
I was useing a Hf battery tender on my 07 honda trx450 witch i had a new battery installed in 2016 and just last week the battery is dead .so i think the HF tender killed the battery . so i bought a name brand tender and a new battery
My Dad has one that has been in use on multiple implement and car batteries every winter. It gets rotated periodically, tractor, rototiller, snow blower, and even a car battery now an then. Has to be at lease 10+ years and going strong. Yes, we all fear Chinese products. How about your phone, laptop, etc? I fear them too. I had a friend that lost two cars and a garage over an air compressor short. I disconnect mine every night. Be vigilant.
I have a Schumacher SE-1-12S that seemed to be constantly charging the battery with no draw on the battery(disconnected - terminal). I didn't trust it so I bought a Battery Tender Jr 12V 750mA and has worked perfectly on my car for the last 3 years. It is designed for one battery only, not multiple hook ups.
It has 4 modes indicated by flashing or solid red or green light.
The one I don't use was designed to be left in the car(hard wired which I liked) and plugged into an extension cord but was afraid it would keep trying to charge a fully charged battery.
The Battery Tender brand is plugged into the wall and alligator clips to the battery and has a green light light when it is just maintaining a fully charged battery.:bowtier:
Can somebody post a picture of the HF tender of which we are speaking about.
Is it the 9-15 dollar unit?
If so I bought mine about 3 or so years ago. No issues till i noticed the other day i was checking the battery that was fully charged at the time of hook up to the HF charger that it was dead.
Can somebody post a picture of the HF tender of which we are speaking about.
Is it the 9-15 dollar unit?
If so I bought mine about 3 or so years ago. No issues till i noticed the other day i was checking the battery that was fully charged at the time of hook up to the HF charger that it was dead.
I use them and have for several years. I had one that stopped working but only after I dropped it on my garage floor. Just don't drop them and you will be fine.
its designed for std and gel batteries. ( switch to choose type)
it will not over charge, cycles on as needed,
BUT..... I do not leave in any batt for extended times,
typically 3-4 days on 2 A, and batt never gets warm, yet will be 12.6 or better when checked,
my shumacher (sp) always seemed to make the batt warm,
this charger (HF) is like $40-50, but on sale frequently for $29.
as a side note, I never see fumes, or moisture using this charger, but did using other chargers.
I have a battery charger that I rarely use. When the car gets parked in the garage, I just slip the positive cable off the post. I never tighten it down with a wrench. Just a snug fit. In the winter, my unheated garage rarely gets below 32 degrees.
After winter, I put the charger on for a couple of hours while I check the tires and other things before firing it up. I just can't see the value in having a tender on it all winter. I guess maybe the battery will last longer if you have a tender on it. But, batteries are pretty cheap as opposed to my $1,000 Homeowners deductible should something go wrong and a fire starts.
fyi--If your battery freezes just once... its done!. They bulge out on the sides if they have been frozen . Did that many years ago.Unless you your shop is piled up with stuff i'd worry too.No worries though. Inever even thought about it hth bob s
I have an older Schumacher battery charger maintainer that I have had for at least 10 years maybe more. I bought it at Walmart on sale for around $19.00 if I recall. It has worked on both a motorcycle battery and also my 66 el-camino. I keep the el-camino plugged in all of the time as I only drive it a couple of times a year and it has always maintained the battery. The current battery is 8 years old and still starts the 396 engine hot or cold like a new batt. I had not started the engine for over six month's and yesterday it cranked it over to prime the fuel pump and it fired right up. I think the use of the tender is what has allowed this battery to live so long. I would want to trust one from HF. The same charger I have is still available from Amazon For $24.94 right now. Read the full description on both the HF charger for $19.95 and this one and you will see that the Schumacher one is well worth the extra five dollars. Also if left on long enough it will recharge a dead battery if it will take a charge. I will be buying a second one when I get my 57 project finished.
I have an older Schumacher battery charger maintainer that I have had for at least 10 years maybe more. I bought it at Walmart on sale for around $19.00 if I recall. It has worked on both a motorcycle battery and also my 66 el-camino. I keep the el-camino plugged in all of the time as I only drive it a couple of times a year and it has always maintained the battery. The current battery is 8 years old and still starts the 396 engine hot or cold like a new batt. I had not started the engine for over six month's and yesterday it cranked it over to prime the fuel pump and it fired right up. I think the use of the tender is what has allowed this battery to live so long. I would want to trust one from HF. The same charger I have is still available from Amazon For $24.94 right now. Read the full description on both the HF charger for $19.95 and this one and you will see that the Schumacher one is well worth the extra five dollars. Also if left on long enough it will recharge a dead battery if it will take a charge. I will be buying a second one when I get my 57 project finished.
57 BelAir i have 3 of these running .And they are this particular tender also have one On a big bike., I haven't ever concerned myself with them. Although I walk thru the storage side,of my building ,once a week, and just look around!! and at them.They bring a battery up fast i OOOHHH!! I also have a big charger on my golf cart- they are close to $350. Now as i talk about this subject, i get just a tiny bit concerned- but not worried. Once a battery freezes--- its shot-- . Think about that. bob s
This is an older thread, you may not receive a response, and could be reviving an old thread. Please consider creating a new thread.
Related Threads
?
?
?
?
?
Chevy Tri Five Forum
2.5M posts
62.4K members
Since 2005
A forum community dedicated to 1955, 1956, and 1957 Chevy owners and enthusiasts. Come join the discussion about restoration, engine swaps, reviews, performance, modifications, classifieds, troubleshooting, maintenance, and more! Open to all models including Belair, 210, 150, Sedans, and Nomads.