Just about to put my baby away for the winter and have been hearing about these ..float, is it? (Not trickle, well maybe)...chargers. See - I know nothing about all this. So anyway, I need something to plug into the wall and into the Xfire and keep her nice and juicy this winter - Help!

 

Home of Deltran Battery Tender® Battery Chargers - Batterytender.com

This is the brand I use. I have the special plug hooked up to my battery. Easy to get on and off. Battery tenders are good for the battery. Keeping them topped off helps make the battery last longer.

My wife says I have my crossfire hooked up to life support in the garage!

 

Thank, Blackie. I've heard of then being hooked up through the cigarette lighter?

 

I have a couple of the Deltran Battery Plus units that work well. They come with a pigtail loop extension with an inline fuse you wire directly to the battery. Then it's just a matter of popping the hood and plugging it in. Pretty simple.

 

I also used a Deltran Battery Tender when I stored my car for the winter. It seems like a great product and worked like a charm. The car started right up after 4 months and there were no problems with any of the electronics.

It may be a little more expensive than some but it seems to be worth it.

 

Been using the BatteryTender on my bike for years. Best way to go.

 

I picked up a couple at Walmart for the cars @ $40 apiece....I have always used one on the bike as well....I have the small shurykin batteries, so they were necessary....and yes, they do like they are on "life" support...lol

 

I think it best that you understand the difference between a "Charger", "trickle charger, and a "float charger". The Deltran Batter Tender is a "float charger" along with it being a charger. It is more expensive, but you can find some deals on eBay or Amazon at times. A normal Sears Charger will quickly restore a battery that has discharged to see if the battery can be used, but shouldn't be used to maintain a battery. A "trickle charger" (sometimes incorporated in the normal Sears type chargers) puts out a continuous voltage to the battery and over a longer term can "cook" the battery. What make the Deltran float charger the best way to go, is that it also flows a voltage to the battery, but when the battery is topped off, the Deltran shuts down until the battery voltage drops to a level that restarts the Deltran.
I think I explained this correctly ..... Just my $.02

Edit: there are a couple of Deltran models available ..... chose the model that will do the job for you.

 

good points for sure....if there isn't a Sears in your back yard, I am sure there is a Walmart....their's is Schumacher 10a. It does it all, fast start, works like a jumper, it will act like a battery charger for quick charging a battery, it will trickle charge for slow charging a battery, and it has a micro processor for the "float" charging or maintainer as some are called...good luck...like I said, this model is 40 bucks...

 

You can find the Batterytender at any motorcycle shop. I think I paid about $35 or $40 for mine at a Harley dealer, but I'm not sure.

 

Been using these for a while now with great results.
(they were on sale for $10 a while back)
I use one on the SRT6, SRT8, and on my RAM truck. No more dead batteries from sitting.
I also like that these come with 1) clamp connectors, 2)a lpug-in connector, and 3) a cig lighter connector.

BTW if you check out Deltrans site their charges do not shut down completely.

The Duracell uses the same 3 stages as the Deltran.

• Stage 1: Initial Charge - provides the bulk of the battery's power
• Stage 2: Absorption Charge - ensures a full charge of all of the battery's cells
• Stage 3: Float Charge: Steady "maintenance" charge prevents the gradual loss of power that occurs in occasionally-used batteries

 

I have been using the Harborfreight Float Charger, it runs about $8 on sale. My car has been in storage six months out of ever year since I bought it in 2004 and I am still on the original batter, so I am convinced it has been doing it's job correctly. I also use one on my RV, for the money I don't think they can be beat.

-Idaho

 

I use the Schumacher Battery Tender on all 3 of my bikes and the car. get them at walMart, about $18. Been using them for 5 or more years and no issues at all. I wire the sae pigtail right to the batt and plug it right in. The sae works for all my heated gear on the bikes so I use that plug.

 

I use the same on the Ford, SRT6, and the little green tractor. HF ad this week has coupon for float chargers - $3.99.

 

same here buy at Meijer store for $16

 

Noticed you are from Ontario....so....I have two of these chargers and have been using them for years to maintain batteries during long periods (winter storage). They are from Canadian Tire.

Motomaster Eliminator Intelligent Battery Charger, 2A | Canadian Tire

They have updated the "look" of the charger that replaced the older model that I currently use. These units are very popular with guys storing snowmobiles, motorcycles, cars etc....I have never had an issue and recommend it highly. It is also affordable.

 

tony,
i used the same one from canadian tire last winter....no problems. i also bought a similiar one from walmart in the states. only about $18.00.
also tony...are you joining us at norm's for our SOCO (Southern Ontario Crossfire Owners )and SORO (Southern Ontario Reatta Owners) christmas and wine tasting party? dec. 11th.pm me if you want more info. we don't see much of you lately. come join us!
cheers,
gryfan ( nick t)

 

So I go to walmart of car parts store and ask for a float charger for the winter and it should cost about 10 bucks?

 

Be careful you don't ask someone who don't know what they're talkin about. Research the unit to make sure it is a "float" type charger.

 

I have about 6 walmart float chargers for my 100 odd spark plugs under care. I measured the open circuit voltage on each one and they are about 13.5 +/- which is good for float. THese are the ones I as a "EE" choose and they are about 18$. Save money by getting these units and then buy the cigarette plug in voltage monitor that reads the electrical system while you are driving, also about $20. Now your set and informed. Enjoy Woody.