Battery Tender

[Frank Benvin]

Smart charger, will charge your battery. When correct voltage is reached it shuts off

http://batterytender.com/default.php...bb69b6d567ff83

[Jim Rainer]

These are great units. They not only charge to correct voltage but maintain that voltage for weeks or months at a time. Much better than a trickle charger - this thing is smart!

[Kevin McDonnell]

I have used one of these on a 210 and they work great. Curiously though, the 24V model specs state: "DO NOT USE WITH AVIATION OR TRUE GEL BATTERIES"

Hmmmmm. What's up with that?

[bking]

Is it posable to use the aux power plug on a Skymaster as a connection for the battery tender?

[hharney]

The GPU connector is isolated from the main bus and battery. What I did is use the GPU location for the plug adapter to the battery minder. It makes an easy place to attach and the battery is closer to the GPU door than it is to the oil door. It does require a flat blade screwdriver to open but it can be opened with a dime if no screwdriver is available.

Remember, just because the battery starts the airplane is no indication that the battery is duty enough to perform what is required. Especially if the system goes off line, in IMC, and you need all the performance from the battery you can get. How long is your battery going to last? Will it get you down safely on the ground?

I am only reciting this because I just changed my battery based on an article (that I posted to this message board) that made me think. My battery was still starting my plane just fine but I was amazed when I started the engine the first time with the new battery. It was like Night and Day (as they say). I now have a battery minder, specifically made for my battery, that will help to keep the battery in top condition. Just sayin'............

[hharney]

Originally Posted by Kevin McDonnell

I have used one of these on a 210 and they work great. Curiously though, the 24V model specs state: "DO NOT USE WITH AVIATION OR TRUE GEL BATTERIES"

Hmmmmm. What's up with that?

They don't want the liability of aviation related uses and why try to save a few bucks and buy something that may not work for your specific battery when there are battery minders that are designed for aviation batteries?

[DBrugg]

I would not recommend the Battery Tender as it smoked my battery. I believe it's main purpose is for charging deep cell marine batteries.
What you want is the Battery Minder.

[CaptainRod]

Here's the one I have. Works great.

http://batteryminders.com/24-volt-ai...er-24041-AA-S2

[bking]

Thanks for the info and I plan to get one on order.

[CaptainRod]

The "minders" are battery-specific. I have a Gill battery so the S2 model was correct for me.