xaznx

Hey guys we just got some ice and snow here in kansas and looks like its going to be cold for a while, so the F is going to stay inside where it doesn't see all that salt and crap that they throw all over the roads. So my question is I just bought a battery tenderer and have heard great things about them. I've googled and have had mixed thoughts on whether I need to disconnect the battery from the car or leave them connected and then charge with the battery connected to the car. When I trickle charge I normally disconnect the battery and charge, but I'm not sure what to do with the tenderer. What do you guys do? Thanks

3nergiz3d

I have my tender connected to my car. Wanted to preserve all of my settings in the F.

mikersoft

iTrader: (1)

If it's a proper battery tender, you should be able to use it without disconnecting the battery from the car. I've been doing that on my motorcycle since I bought it in 2009 and it still has the original OEM battery.

-Mike

dcguy

The battery voltage won't raise high enough to damage the electronics in the car with a battery tender, or a small charger for that matter. As long as it keeps below 15 volts electronics will be fine.

Jaysmith2k

I've been using a Deltran 2 car tender for years on my classic cars. just hook up and you're good. Very reliable, microcomputer controlled. I've never used it on my F as I drive it everyday.

Vervish

iTrader: (4)

Yeah - I just hook up mine and let it be. It turns off automatically when battery reaches full charge.

MisterSkiz

iTrader: (2)

I have a "Battery Tender" charger...I use it on my motorcycle and my cars when I am not driving them for a long time.

leave the battery in the car and hook it up.

I'm not sure what year your car is, but mine is a 2008 and the OEM original battery finally died on me without any warning (long crank, etc).

One morning I went to start it up, and got a long weird crank and said "hmm thats weird"...I drove it around the block, gave it some gas, came back home and let it idle for a bit...turned it off and the car wouldn't start...

Usually OEM batteries only last about 6 years or so (in my experience)

semnosNSX

I use the "battery tender Jr." On my NSX because I don't drive it very often. It comes with some low profile terminals that you hard wire to the battery with a small connector you run through the front grill. The other half just gets plugged into the wall outlet. As soon as you pull the car into the garage you plug the two ends into each other and, Boom! Commence trickle charge! Very easy!

xaznx

Mines an 08 and still on original oem battery, I'm thinking the battery is going to die soon too

lobuxracer

iTrader: (2)

I need this for my Supra. It goes a month sitting pretty often and it kills batteries like nobody's business.

mikersoft

iTrader: (1)

That's the one I've been using as well.. I recommend it too.

-Mike

flowrider

iTrader: (9)

Have you thought about an AGM Battery? I have switched both my vehicles, the truck and the F to AGM. A Bosch in the F and a NAPA in the truck. They hold a charge longer than a conventional lead acid battery.

Lou

lobuxracer

iTrader: (2)

I've killed two red top Optimas in 6 years. One was full warranty, the other SOL. I bought a yellow top to replace it, but my use profile is very hard on batteries without a tender or charger. I've been using a 2A charger, but it's too much, and it doesn't float well like a battery tender does.

streetx

iTrader: (4)

https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B0006...yGL&ref=plSrch

I have on of those. Battery stays connected to the car when attach the battery tender

PDP180180

iTrader: (3)

I use one of these CTEK trickle chargers on my F.

http://www.ctek.com/gb/en

Works a treat.

Helps having a garage though to avoid theft, moisture etc.

Just pop the hood, connect up and turn it on.

Nice thing is it only draws electricity if it needs to top up the battery. Rest of the time it's not using any juice.