Battery tender recommendation?

[GLW]

I want to get a battery tender for those infrequent times I use Forscan or install updates (haven’t done this yet) to the FP tune.

What would you recommend for this occasional need that wouldn’t break the bank but also not junk.

thanks
Gary

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[Twiigg]

CTEK Multi US 7002 (CTEK Multi US 7002, 12V Battery Charger for Cars, SUVs and Trucks, All Weather Smart Charger, Battery Desulfator, Power Supply Mode and Reconditioning Mode https://a.co/d/4BJRyUF) all the way! I bought mine in 2022 and have used it extensively on several of my vehicles. I decided on this specific model after watching Jay Leno’s Garage and seeing many of his high dollar vehicles utilizing this battery tender. Also, many car manufacturers (BMW and GM, to name 2) rebrand this very charger and sell them.

 

[Donnie B]

Just make sure your charger is specifically for lithium batteries. I checked with CTEK to make sure and as always, they responded immediately. They also said that this charger SHOULD NOT be used to charge/tend acid batteries. I've confirmed this also with a Google search.

Just when I thought I knew everything about batteries. This old dog learned something new.

 

[GLW]

Just make sure your charger is specifically for lithium batteries. I checked with CTEK to make sure and as always, they responded immediately. They also said that this charger SHOULD NOT be used to charge/tend acid batteries. I've confirmed this also with a Google search.

Just when I thought I knew everything about batteries. This old dog learned something new.

Thank you. I agree, in the old days I just slapped a charger on the battery and called it good. Not anymore.

 

[Satex]

I use a Noko Genius. They have different models with varying capabilities. Mine has selectable modes for lead acid, AGM, lithium, as well as 12v power supply and a quick "jump start." It also has a repair mode for seriously depleted lead acid and AGM. It can select 12/13.6 volt, 6 volt, or 24 volts.

IT was over $200 about 10 years ago, so it's not a cheap alternative. But I have cars, an RV, motorcycles, and an ATV. They have different batteries chemistries, capacities, and voltages. This one covers every need other than the rare situation in which I need a charger on 2 batteries at the same time.

 

[GLW]

I use a Noko Genius. They have different models with varying

I use a Noko Genius. They have different models with varying capabilities. Mine has selectable modes for lead acid, AGM, lithium, as well as 12v power supply and a quick "jump start." It also has a repair mode for seriously depleted lead acid and AGM. It can select 12/13.6 volt, 6 volt, or 24 volts.

IT was over $200 about 10 years ago, so it's not a cheap alternative. But I have cars, an RV, motorcycles, and an ATV. They have different batteries chemistries, capacities, and voltages. This one covers every need other than the rare situation in which I need a charger on 2 batteries at the same time.

Would this one work?

 

[ZombieDropper]

I want to get a battery tender for those infrequent times I use Forscan or install updates (haven’t done this yet) to the FP tune.

What would you recommend for this occasional need that wouldn’t break the bank but also not junk.

thanks
Gary

I have these $40 Dewalt battery tenders on all my vehicles including my RR and Explorer ST.
https://www.homedepot.com/p/DEWALT-...ttery-Charger-and-Maintainer-DXAEC2/316426768

 

[Aardvark]

I use the CTEK MXS 5.0 from GLW's post. I've only had to use it on the Ranger once, but use it regularly as well on a late-model BMW and also on a 15 year-old Xterra. This unit has worked flawlessly, and is one of the best purchases bang-for-the-buck I've made in a long time. Highly recommend it.

 

[BigAir]

Just make sure your charger is specifically for lithium batteries. I checked with CTEK to make sure and as always, they responded immediately. They also said that this charger SHOULD NOT be used to charge/tend acid batteries. I've confirmed this also with a Google search.

Just when I thought I knew everything about batteries. This old dog learned something new.

The Rangers come with lithium batteries? I thought they came with AGM.

 

[RaptorME]

I use the Noco Genius as well and they work for both Lithium and AGM battereries. We use them on our summer cars all winter and they have been great. Most tuning companies suggest a dedicated charger when tuning so I imagine that would be the case for updates and ForScan too.

 

[Aardvark]

The Rangers come with lithium batteries? I thought they came with AGM.

Pretty sure you're right. The lithium battery is in my hybrid, and when I checked into it, it appeared the battery tender does nothing to charge the lithium battery anyways, only the regular battery. But a moot point for the Ranger.

 

[Satex]

The Rangers come with lithium batteries? I thought they came with AGM.

They're definitely not lithium. I don't think any manufacturer uses lithium batteries in a setup with a heat producing internal combustion engine and an enclosed battery space.

 

[Satex]

Would this one work?

You're asking me. I'm not familiar with that charger. I neither recommend for or against it, although it appears to have utility similar to my Noko unit.

 

[bigb]

Lithium batteries do not make good starting batteries, lead acid, either flooded, sealed or gel is still the standard.

As far as charger/maintainers the NOCO and Ctek are good for plug and play but if you're a nerd and want ultimate control and monitoring I like the Victron Blue Smart series with Bluetooth. Fully configurable to any battery or you can just use it for any chemistry by pushing a button if you don't want to get real nerdy. You can open the BT app and see what it's doing and historical data as well. 4 stage, Bulk, Absorption, Float & Storage.

Really using anything as opposed to nothing is going to be beneficial as long as you don't boil/overcharge. Anytime a lead chemistry battery sits without a full charge it will sulfate which reduces it's total capacity and cycle life. On my old Super Duty diesel that sat a lot I used Deltran with great success.

 

[Satex]

Lithium batteries do not make good starting batteries, lead acid, either flooded, sealed or gel is still the standard.

As far as charger/maintainers the NOCO and Ctek are good for plug and play but if you're a nerd and want ultimate control and monitoring I like the Victron Blue Smart series with Bluetooth. Fully configurable to any battery or you can just use it for any chemistry by pushing a button if you don't want to get real nerdy. You can open the BT app and see what it's doing and historical data as well. 4 stage, Bulk, Absorption, Float & Storage.

Really using anything as opposed to nothing is going to be beneficial as long as you don't boil/overcharge. Anytime a lead chemistry battery sits without a full charge it will sulfate which reduces it's total capacity and cycle life. On my old Super Duty diesel that sat a lot I used Deltran with great success.

I completely disagree that lithium batteries don't make good starting batteries. They're considered in safety hazard in a hot, enclosed space ... like under the hood of an ICE powered vehicle.

I use them for vehicle starting in different applications.

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