Best Tender for Dual Battery System?

[TrailBum]

Hi all,

Curious what everyone is doing to keep their dual batteries topped off outside of simply driving the vehicle. My cruiser has become a second vehicle and I want to make sure I keep the batteries where they need to be. I have a power gate dual battery isolator... is logical to hook up a battery tender to each of the batteries without damaging the vehicle electronics, or should I remove them completely? I've been looking at one of these dual tenders:
Costco Wholesale

Is there a better option out there on the market? Batteries are DHP AGM Group 35 Batteries.

Thanks in advance!

 

[ppc]

I've been using the same dual Battery Tender unit in the link for the past four or five years. Works perfectly.

 

[TrailBum]

I've been using the same dual Battery Tender unit in the link for the past four or five years. Works perfectly.

Do you pull the batteries or charge them in place? Any electrical issues? I am probably overthinking this!

 

[bajaphile]

Seems like you'd just need a single battery tender and hook it up to one of the batteries. Once the isolator senses a charge, it opens and will charge both batteries.

 

[RFB]

Hi all,

Curious what everyone is doing to keep their dual batteries topped off outside of simply driving the vehicle. My cruiser has become a second vehicle and I want to make sure I keep the batteries where they need to be. I have a power gate dual battery isolator... is logical to hook up a battery tender to each of the batteries without damaging the vehicle electronics, or should I remove them completely? I've been looking at one of these dual tenders:
Costco Wholesale

Is there a better option out there on the market? Batteries are DHP AGM Group 35 Batteries.

Thanks in advance!

I have the IBS dual system with RBM(so I can jumpsart myself) But I have a magnum energy 1000watt invertor that also allows me to plug into 120AC and charge up all my truck batteries fast and no desulf. there are plenty of decent 99 dollar options, check power systems in the forum good intel there.

 

[ppc]

Do you pull the batteries or charge them in place? Any electrical issues? I am probably overthinking this!

Yes, you are overthinking this. The Battery Tender will charge a battery at a slow rate, and reduce the charging rate to trickle or maintain the charge. It is not going to do a fast charge on a dead battery. My LC sits around most of the time so I have it always connected, I use the second port to charge my car battery or lawn mower about once a month leaving it connected overnight. I take a lot of short trips around town in my car. The trips are not long enough to completely charge the Red Top Optima now that is getting older. Eventually I will notice the starter struggling to spin the motor. Plug the tender in overnight and it is back to normal. The good thing about a true battery tender is that they will not overcharge your batteries so they can be left connected without harm.

 

[LINUS]

I run one of the basic Battery Tender units that's the single output (but I only run a single battery & a hand throttle) - have been doing this for a couple years & I think my Odessey battery likes it, esp if I about 'zapped' it with the winch & hand throttle at some point earlier in the day.

I have the 80 side short pigtail you bolt to the terminals, and if it was slightly longer I'd poke it through the slats in the grill but it's about 10" short, prob a good thing as it makes me remember since my hood is popped open to disconnect before I move it.

Saves jumping in some day & driving off with my whole thing bouncing along on the pavement.

 

[TrailBum]

Thanks everyone for the input, it is much appreciated. I will put her on a tender! Probably a good call leaving the hood open, I could definitely see myself pulling down all my tools with the charger still connected!

 

[LS1FJ40]

X2 on leaving the hood open. Nothing like wrapping the cord around the fan clutch because you wanted the plug under the hood, out of the rain...

 

[LandCruiserPhil]

I like and use Battery Minder products both 120v 1amp trickle and solar to keep my duals fully charged.
Recently I wired for a permanet solution Solar Shore Power
Remember slow & low is the best way to charge and keep charged batteries

 

[Dave 2000]

I presently use a basic 4 amp max trickle charger, if the car is to stand for more than a week.

I connect to one battery, Blue Seas VSR does the rest. Moving to a permanent solar solution when I finish other projects, too much going on ATM.

Regards

Dave