Best most reasonable battery tender?

Annihilate · 11-09-2023, 09:30 AM

Hey guys, looking for a battery tender for the winter months. Going to be in storage for about 4 months. Looking for a tender/charger/maintainer that will work under the hood.

Hoping to keep it under $100

Any suggestions?

Jus Cruisin · 11-09-2023, 09:42 AM

I've been using these for 30 years. This model is compatible with agm batteries. Plugged into the Camaro right now.
https://www.batterytender.com/plus

DaveC113 · 11-09-2023, 09:42 AM

It looks like the OEM charger is a CTek 5A smart charger. That's what I use.

LeonardS · 11-09-2023, 10:40 AM

I prefer battery tenders that are 12 volt only and have no optional buttons, not ones that are switchable from 6V to 12V. If your power flickers or goes out, some of them need to be reset to 12 volt. If you aren’t around to do that for a period of time, it won’t be getting a charge.

CalgaryZL1 · 11-09-2023, 10:45 AM

This served me well for the last few years with 6 months of downtime over the winters. I have it wired directly to my battery, being only one amp I’m not sure if it would be practical to maintain from the front of the car?

ctrlz · 11-09-2023, 10:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DaveC113

It looks like the OEM charger is a CTek 5A smart charger. That's what I use.

I have this charger and use it for all my AGM's. It is always in the top 2 or 3 of any "charger shootout" you will find online.
Nice progress lights, and it defaults to the last used mode if the power goes out.
I don't doubt the battery tender plus is good, but Ctek is more versatile, as you can set it for charging large (e.g. car) vs small (e.g. motorcycle) batteries. Also it is a relatively small plastic unit, so you could actually set it on your hood without damaging the car.
On amazon, $94 for the ctek vs. $59 for the tender plus.

Annihilate · 11-09-2023, 12:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ctrlz

I have this charger and use it for all my AGM's. It is always in the top 2 or 3 of any "charger shootout" you will find online.
Nice progress lights, and it defaults to the last used mode if the power goes out.
I don't doubt the battery tender plus is good, but Ctek is more versatile, as you can set it for charging large (e.g. car) vs small (e.g. motorcycle) batteries. Also it is a relatively small plastic unit, so you could actually set it on your hood without damaging the car.
On amazon, $94 for the ctek vs. $59 for the tender plus.

Ctek it is, thanks everyone!

Warrior102 · 11-09-2023, 04:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Annihilate

Ctek it is, thanks everyone!

That's the one that came with my 1LE from GM (says Camaro on it), that said have used Battery Tenders for ever, both seem to get the job done.

grampa_ss · 11-09-2023, 06:23 PM

Another option: Been using since 2017

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...?ie=UTF8&psc=1

pitrott1 · 11-10-2023, 10:54 PM

Today I placed an order with Ctek, I ordered the MSX 5 value pack. Total was 116.00 no tax and free two-day shipping. I compared this with the Norco Genius 10. Both are excellent choices, but the build quality and the 5-year warranty sealed the deal for me.

Rock-It Man · 11-11-2023, 04:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jus Cruisin

I've been using these for 30 years. This model is compatible with agm batteries. Plugged into the Camaro right now.
https://www.batterytender.com/plus

This is what I have used since 2010. First on the 2010 SS, now on the 2023 ZL1.

65ffr · 11-11-2023, 05:20 PM

I bought a NOCO. When building your camaro on the Chevy website, a NOCO charger is listed under Interior Options...

arpad_m · 11-11-2023, 05:57 PM

The CTEK (or the Camaro branded battery charger that is the exact same thing) is a toy compared to my Optimate 6. The TM-181 I have is no longer available, but one of its successors, the TM-371 is: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B096T11XM5

HemiDave · 11-12-2023, 09:31 AM

I have been using Deltran 12V Battery Tender JR for years for my motorcycles and cars in NY.

Attach it and forget it.

Zero issues with my batteries since.

The same tender works perfectly for motorcycles and cars.
Don't let the small size fool you.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...?ie=UTF8&psc=1

11-09-2023, 09:30 AM	#1
Annihilate Drives: 2024 2SS Camaro, 1988 IROC Z Join Date: Nov 2012 Location: United States Posts: 123	Best most reasonable battery tender? Hey guys, looking for a battery tender for the winter months. Going to be in storage for about 4 months. Looking for a tender/charger/maintainer that will work under the hood. Hoping to keep it under $100 Any suggestions? __________________ 2024 2SS Camaro, Riverside Blue Metallic, NPP, F55, CF5, 5ZZ, VTU, S0O, 5KP, JF5, 2nd Gen GFX

11-09-2023, 09:42 AM	#2
Jus Cruisin Old Gearhead Drives: 2023 GMC Sierra Denali Ultimate Join Date: Nov 2018 Location: MI Posts: 546	I've been using these for 30 years. This model is compatible with agm batteries. Plugged into the Camaro right now. https://www.batterytender.com/plus Attached Images __________________ 2023 Camaro ZL1 convertible - black - SOLD 2023 GMC Sierra Denali Ultimate - black

11-09-2023, 09:42 AM	#3
DaveC113 Drives: 2018 Camaro 1SS 1LE Join Date: Sep 2018 Location: Front Range, CO Posts: 1,868	It looks like the OEM charger is a CTek 5A smart charger. That's what I use. __________________

11-09-2023, 10:40 AM	#4
LeonardS Drives: 1969 Z28,1992 Z28,1994 Z28,1999 SS Join Date: Oct 2021 Location: Jamestown, ND Posts: 1,154	I prefer battery tenders that are 12 volt only and have no optional buttons, not ones that are switchable from 6V to 12V. If your power flickers or goes out, some of them need to be reset to 12 volt. If you aren’t around to do that for a period of time, it won’t be getting a charge. __________________ 24 2SS 1LE, Riptide Blue, A10, PDR. Picked up 11/5/23, 560 miles. 23 ZLE Rapid Blue, M6. 6/27/22 TPW. Off assembly line on July 12th, 2022. To Dealer August 6th. Delivered August 8th. 129 miles. 99 SS Vert, Hugger Orange, A4, 806 miles 94 Z28, Black, M6, 595 miles 92 Z28, last car built at Van Nuys Plant, Red, A4, 125 miles www.last1992camaro.com 69 Z28, Dusk Blue, M4 29 Ford Business Coupe 28 Ford Pickup 24 GMC Denali 2500HD CCSB 4x4 22 Jeep Grand Cherokee 13 Ford F150 Crew Cab 4x4

11-09-2023, 10:45 AM	#5
CalgaryZL1 Drives: 2020 Chevy Camaro ZL1 Join Date: Apr 2023 Location: Calgary Canada Posts: 1,483	This served me well for the last few years with 6 months of downtime over the winters. I have it wired directly to my battery, being only one amp I’m not sure if it would be practical to maintain from the front of the car? Attached Images

11-09-2023, 06:23 PM	#9
grampa_ss Drives: 2016 Camaro 2SS Join Date: Apr 2017 Location: Stansbury Park, Utah Posts: 1,092	Another option: Been using since 2017 https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...?ie=UTF8&psc=1 __________________ 2016 2SS, MRC, NPP, A8. Procharger P-1X,Stage II,std bypass, 3.9, Alky Meth - 10.84 @129 - DA+2000 New Mods - GPI drop ins, Kooks 2", LT4 fueling, Cam, Circle D Converter, 3.5 pulley & dual nozzle meth.

11-10-2023, 10:54 PM	#10
pitrott1 OSCM(SW) USN Ret. Drives: 2023 Camaro 2SS-1LE VOM 6M Join Date: Apr 2023 Location: MD Posts: 195	Today I placed an order with Ctek, I ordered the MSX 5 value pack. Total was 116.00 no tax and free two-day shipping. I compared this with the Norco Genius 10. Both are excellent choices, but the build quality and the 5-year warranty sealed the deal for me. __________________ 2023 2SS-1LE VOM, 6M, SR S-TBrace, A-PDL's, Fuzzy suede KP's, NAV 1100 3/29/23 2000 3/30/23 3300 5/1/23 3800 5/4/23 4200 6/1/23 6000 6/6/23

11-11-2023, 05:20 PM	#12
65ffr Drives: '18 ram 1500 Join Date: Dec 2016 Location: austin tx Posts: 70	I bought a NOCO. When building your camaro on the Chevy website, a NOCO charger is listed under Interior Options... __________________ 2023 ZL1 Radiant Red 6 spd, pdr, carbon fiber hood 1100 10/28/22 2000 12/6/22 3400 12/17/22 TPW 1/9/23 delivered 2/7/23

11-11-2023, 05:57 PM	#13
arpad_m Drives: 2018 Camaro 2SS A8 Join Date: Jul 2017 Location: East Tennessee Posts: 11,619 View My Garage	The CTEK (or the Camaro branded battery charger that is the exact same thing) is a toy compared to my Optimate 6. The TM-181 I have is no longer available, but one of its successors, the TM-371 is: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B096T11XM5 __________________ 2018 Camaro 2SS — G7E MX0 NPP F55 IO6 735 rwhp \| 665 rwtq Magnuson TVS 2300 80mm pulley \| Kooks 1 7/8" LT headers \| JRE smooth idle terminator cam \| LT4 FS & injectors \| TSP forged pistons & rods JMS PowerMAX \| DSX flex fuel kit \| Roto-Fab CAI \| Soler 95mm LT5 TB \| 1LE wheels \| 1LE brakes \| BMR rear cradle lockout \| JRE custom tune 1100 - 1/30/18 \| 2000 - 1/31/18 3000 - 2/06/18 TPW 2/26/18 3400 - 2/19/18 \| 3800 - 2/26/18 4300 - 2/27/18 \| 4B00 - 3/01/18 4200 - 3/05/18 \| 4800 - 3/14/18 5000 - 3/16/18 \| 6000 - 3/19/18

11-12-2023, 09:31 AM	#14
HemiDave Drives: ZLE/DEMON/GLADIATOR/GSXR1000R/ZX10R Join Date: Aug 2022 Location: New York Posts: 438	I have been using Deltran 12V Battery Tender JR for years for my motorcycles and cars in NY. Attach it and forget it. Zero issues with my batteries since. The same tender works perfectly for motorcycles and cars. Don't let the small size fool you. https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...?ie=UTF8&psc=1 __________________ 2018 Dodge Demon #1399 2020 Jeep Gladiator Rubicon 6 speed manual 2023 ZL1 1LE 6 speed manual ************************* 2018 Suzuki GSXR 1000R 2021 Kawasaki ZX10R

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