Your Battery Maintainer/Charger choice?

[Blue2Orange]

On the old NH used yellow top Optima since purchasing new in '01 . Used their "smart" charger after the first Optima died. Only issue I had with the charger was the low end of the working temperature range IIRC was -10C/14F. Not practical living in the North.

For the BX purchased the Noco Genius5(G5) and a set of 10mm eye connectors not realizing the alligator clips convert over to 10mm eye connectors. Hard wired the battery and just use the quick connect to save the need to remove the screen every time connecting. Has worked fine. Lowest operating temp is -20C/-4F. If temp drops below it auto shuts down until temp increases above the -4F. So far, no issues.

The Noco battery and load tester owned is +decade old and still works fine. Low operating temp and auto on/off function plus the luck I have had with the load tester was my reason for going with the G5.

Black F Day Sale at AMZ on the G5. Purchased another one for the truck. It sits too much.

OT: Why is it when you jump a dead battery you connect the (+) from donor and dead battery (+), but connect the (-) to grounded metal on the dead vehicle and not the (-) battery terminal. Yet on a battery tender you can connect to both battery terminals? Noco recommends when using the alligator clips to connect like you do when jump starting a dead battery for a battery in the vehicle. Yet you have the option of using the eye connectors which connect directly to the proper battery terminal? I just connected the alligator clip to (-) terminal to the GM recommended grounding flange. Bit of a reach v. just directly to the (-) battery terminal.

 

[Old Machinist]

I have a variety of solar options. The least expensive that seems to be as good as the others are simple 10w panels I add a blocking diode to.

I have a couple of 30w panels on Battery Tender brand regulators.

I also have a 100w panel on the basic china type regulator and a 24v 20w panel on a similar regulator.

 

[NN2B]

I use a BatteryMinder 1510. Pretty basic. My BX1870 is garaged and we rarely get below 0F outside in the winter. I have a pigtail wire with the battery on one end, and Anderson PowerPole connectors on the other end. I also chop off the tail end of the BatteryMinder’s wire and mount Anderson PowerPoles on that too. It’s a simple disconnect when the tractor is used. I use the PowerPoles because I have several other BatteryMinders that charge two-way radio batteries, and they’re the standard for 12v connections in ham radio.

 

[lynnmor]

OT: Why is it when you jump a dead battery you connect the (+) from donor and dead battery (+), but connect the (-) to grounded metal on the dead vehicle and not the (-) battery terminal. Yet on a battery tender you can connect to both battery terminals? Noco recommends when using the alligator clips to connect like you do when jump starting a dead battery for a battery in the vehicle.

The idea is that you move the spark away from the battery to prevent an explosion. The battery tender will have little or no spark at connection.

 

[Russell King]

See this link to understand what explosive gasses can be produced by lead acid batteries.

Lead Acid Battery Charging: What Gas Is Produced And Safety Risks Explained [Updated On: January 2026]

When charging a lead-acid battery, hydrogen gas is released. This gas can become explosive at concentrations between 4.1% and 72% in air. To prevent

thebatterytips.com

lynnmor nailed the reasoning

 

[McMXi]

I have four of these and also some of the optional splitter cables. I keep buying them because they keep working well for me. I have a NAPA branded battery charger that I use to charge batteries when needed.

https://www.amazon.com/BatteryMINDer-Model-1510-Maintenance-Motorcycles/dp/B00Q3CM2QY/ref=ast_sto_dp_puis

 

[jimh406]

I use Battery Tenders. They make them in different wattage.

 

[Bee-Positive]

Only issue I had with the charger was the low end of the working temperature range IIRC was -10C/14F. Not practical living in the North.

Yet on a battery tender you can connect to both battery terminals?

I've use HF tender/charger for years now no issues winter or summer. Doesn't say if there is a working temp range but it does have a "Winter Mode" but does not specify exactly what that is. Does mention to never charge a frozen battery.

The instructions state when charging a battery outside the vehicle you must put a 2' lead on the negative post, connect the positive clamp directly on the battery and then connect the charger negative clamp to the lead while standing away from the battery. Don't think I've ever done that but there you have it.

 

[cliffboyer]

Have several Noco's, they do a great job.

Just had to replace battery in the 3301. Was original from 2017. Worked fine this summer/fall, but when cold weather showed up it floundered. Still measured 12.5v cold, but not enough beans to turn over fast enough. Was hoping to get 10 years out of it, but 8 ain't bad.

 

[old and tired]

...

 

[jaxs]

Since I settled on Deltrans 20 years ago, I have been pleased. Average low here is about 18f and that doesn't usually happen more than twice per year.

 

[jimh406]

Fyi, Deltran is the maker of Battery Tender maintainers. It is a family owned business started in 1965.

 

[Shawn T. W]

I use the BatteryMINDERS like @NN2B and @McMXi uses ... They do have a temperature sensor to regulate state of charge, and also a desulfate feature ...

I have two of them I swap around between my five batteries ...

 

[lynnmor]

I don't use my tractor much, 50/hours per year. It's stored in a unheated shed for 20 years. I don't have a tender on it. I just put a Black and Decker charger on it before I crank it up... it always showed 12.5 volts but usually crank it up on 6 amps and leave it on for 5-10 minutes.

That Black & Decker is a great battery charger too bad it has been discontinued, you should allow it to do the complete job of charging.

 

[old and tired]

...

 

[GreensvilleJay]

I use an 'old skool' SCR based battery charger , probably 25-30 years old. Dumps electrons in as required and automatically shuts off when battery is full. I've got some nice 25 amp Toroid transformers I was going to make a new one but ,gee, the old one still wortks great...

 

[Shawn T. W]

I do... usually during the tractor warming up at idle (1100 rpms) until the charger says "Full"

I've always been told to remove jumper cables and/or charger as soon as the engine is started, as the alternator and charger could be giving each other false signals

 

[lynnmor]

I do... usually during the tractor warming up at idle (1100 rpms) until the charger says "Full"

With the tractor running and charging while the battery charger is also charging, the charger only sees the voltage and reports FUL.

 

[selftot]

I have Battery Tenders and Nocos. They both work for maintaining a battery but the Nocos are better at restoring a low battery.

Project Farm did some testing and he likes Noco. I would stay away from the cheap knock-off especially after watching this.

 

[Blue2Orange]

Forgot about the off gassing of lead acid batteries. I guess a spark would have been a bad reminder.

OT: Friend has a huge solar array on his now hobby farm. Actually more of a very large veggie and fruit garden with a few acres of grass that he just mows for "fun" and compost. Net positive solar electricity generation. He is a retired electrical engineer. Loves to "tinker". Decade or longer ago he decided to install a battery storage system. Pretty much limited to lead acid batteries. Dedicated room in basement of his house. Had to add a ventilation system. Otherwise. BOOM! Gave up on the battery idea after one or more life cycles and when electric utility company had to pay for excess into the grid. So he purchased the hardware needed to reconnected to the grid. Less hassle and overall would have been more cost effective. But recently the utility companies are allowed to eventually pay less than 100% of wholesale electrical acquisition cost. Time for vanadium redox flow battery bank just to stick it to the utility company. I don't think net cost has ever been a high priority for him.