Battery maintainer/tender?

98 GTS

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I need to know what battery maintainer/tender to get. I don't know what battery it has in it and since it's in the wheel well I can't get to it easily to check. My thoughts based on what I have read is you can technically use a AGM battery maintainer on a flooded though it is not ideal versus you cannot safely use a flooded maintainer on an AGM. My plan is whenever I have to replace a battery just to use an AGM. My question is how many amp maintainer should I use on my Viper? Any advice would be appreciated
 

Steve-Indy

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Well, I am sure you will get many opinions on this.

I use Deltran Battery Tender Plus units on all of our Vipers...and, have been doing so since 1998...accumulating just under 1.25 million Viper-tender hours. I like these units as they are quite dependable and have a good safety record. An old one did "die" recently...showing a green light but not charging while being used on a spare battery on the shelf. These units are usable on flooded lead acid batteries as well as AGM.

I am also fond of Ctek 7002 chargers...and, periodically rotate a couple of these into my charging schedule...setting it in the AGM setting until fully charged, then switching yo Recondition mode til fully done.

I hope this helps !!
 
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98 GTS

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Thank you for responding. Is that the 1.25 amp maintainer?
 
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98 GTS

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I thought about a Schumacher charger/maintainer. It claims to have a switch between AGM and standard. It maintains a 3A and charges at 10A. Would that be acceptable?
 

Steve-Indy

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I really don't have an opinion as I have not tried one.

I will also add that I do use surge protectors on all units...BUT, if lightning is anticipated, I physically unplug them from the wall sockets. Also, I do not use units that automatically apply an amperage load (for desulfanation) when I am not at home.
 

MoparMap

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I've used some basic Schumacher units for years. I think my dad got them at Walmart or something. They seem to work okay as far as I know, but they are only maintainers, they don't have any large charge capacity or anything like that. The older ones are switchable between 6V and 12V, but the one newer one I have auto detects voltage (which is good because I've kicked the switch more than once). Not sure if they are AGM compatible though.
 

KyViper

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I also use the Schumacher battery maintainers on my Viper and other vehicles, Boat, Bikes and ATVs.
I have slightly changed my charging practice during my extended Hibernation during Winter months by putting the maintainers on timers giving a three hour on window per day.
I have become concerned that these type units might "damage" the batteries if powered on 24 X 7.
Sometimes the "red" battery bad lights were coming on even though the batteries were still Ok.
Over this past summer I manually unplugged the units periodically and the red-light problem went away.
This is my first year and will see in Spring if I will continue this new practice.
Ky
 

Reguy

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I have been using Battery Tender Plus for about 20 years. Pretty much attach it and forget about it. The original factory battery on my O4 lasted for 15 years.
 

Brilly

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Been using Cen-Tech Deluxe on Gen II. Have it hooked up directly to battery with the connect out the inside of the back wheel well. Easy and works great.
 

Monopoly

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I've been using this NOCO GeniousPRO since 2016. No issues so far on a Mustang, S2000 and now Viper. My battery on this Viper seems like its got a drain from somewhere. I'm assuming its from the Alpine deck someone did a **** poor job installing. Next years problems.

 

9yw559

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Have used .75 amp Battery Tender Jr.'s for over 20 years. I run jumper wires to another stored vehicle so each charger actually charges two batteries. Have 3 of these chargers charging a total of 6 vehicles. Average battery life?, eight to 12 years per battery. Have a 2002 Viper still running on its second battery and the other vehicles/generators/lawn equipment show the same life. Good luck!
 

Reguy

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Just curious, what type of battery came with my '04 from the factory? Was it an AGM?
 

Bonkers

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Im not sure if AGM was even standard enough in 94 to
be a factory on any vehicle now that i think of it? Personally
i use 5amp Battery Tenders on all my cars, truck, and
tractor now since the upgraded unit can self-determine
which core the battery is using. They are expensive, and
dont last as long as the Juniors, but on my Excursion and
Freightliner multi-battery setups they seem to maintain
effortlessly...
 

tednphx

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I also have used Deltron battery tender units for over 35 years. I have two 2 car tenders which I have hooked to my C5 and my 2004 white Mamba. The mamba has a cable hooked under the hood and it runs out the lower opening of the front bumper.

I also have a Granite #1200 6-12 volt maintainer. I really like it because its small, automatically determines the proper voltage and polarity. I use this one on my 54 Corvette, which has a 6 volt AGM battery. Must be doing something right, I got over 15 years out of the last AGM battery here in Arizona.
 
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