HELP! Battery tender recommendations, and question:

[viperCFP]

Hi all, I'm new to the club and have had the opportunity to meet a few of you.  My question is regarding battery tenders/chargers.  Are there any that you guys and gals have had positive experiences with?  Especially ones that are readily available for purchase at nearby stores?

Here's the scenario:  I'm getting married in a few days, on July 4th (Art, you're up next man), and my 1996 B/W was gonna be the getaway car.  But it must be mad at me, and apparently it likes to eat batteries... a new battery was installed when my brother and I purchased it from the original owner back in mid-October.  The last couple times it was driven was to Cars and Coffee (June 6th), and maybe once for a short distance a week later.  Anyone with a Gen II that has experience a discharge in a relatively short timeframe?

Anyway, I just tried jump starting the car but wouldn't crank much - mostly a rapid clicking sound.  So I guess my question is 1) about the battery tender and recommendations as mentioned above and 2) even if I got a battery tender, would it be enough time to get the battery juiced (under 3 days).

The original owner had the car serviced at HB Dodge, and the battery should still be under warranty, so that is an option.  Any help would be greatly appreciated.

sincerely,
Michael Hu
>o

[ViperX]

Hey Mike,

I normally have "battery tenders" on my Vipers when they will be sitting for while.  Another option is to install a battery quick disconnect - available from Parts Rack.  I have one on my GTS which is sometimes stored in my trailer for weeks at a time.  If I remember to disconnect the battery (very simple, just turn a switch) I have no battery issues.

The GTS and SRT are both hard on batteries, i.e. you cannot let them sit for long without the battery running down unless it's hooked up to a battery tender.

The brand that I use is also called "Battery Tender".  I'm sure you can find one locally.

On your other question, yes, the battery can likely be charged overnight back to full charge with a standard battery charger available from Sears or Pep Boys (I have one of these too).

Good luck,

Dan

[racecars]

 >m

It's called driving it >v >v these cars don't like sitting >1 I still have my original OEM battery >g >v 64,566 miles in almost 6 years >r >r

With this car if the battery goes flat  >o your toast >o they don't like to be recharged.

That's my .99 cents (inflation) >v

OGO  O O O

[viperCFP]

Dan, thanks for the always informative response.

Pete (not the most original name for a Viper, I know) is hooked up to a $65 Sears Diehard automatic charger at the moment.  At 10A, according to the 96 Viper service manual, it'll can take up to 16 hours to reach a full charge.  I will definitely check out the quick disconnect and the Battery Tender.

In the meantime, I myself could use a recharge!  I really admire a lot of members here who balance their families and careers, while making it out to so many Viper events.

Hopefully tomorrow I crawl out of bed and the Viper fires right up!

mike

Hey Mike,

I normally have "battery tenders" on my Vipers when they will be sitting for while.  Another option is to install a battery quick disconnect - available from Parts Rack.  I have one on my GTS which is sometimes stored in my trailer for weeks at a time.  If I remember to disconnect the battery (very simple, just turn a switch) I have no battery issues.

The GTS and SRT are both hard on batteries, i.e. you cannot let them sit for long without the battery running down unless it's hooked up to a battery tender.

The brand that I use is also called "Battery Tender".  I'm sure you can find one locally.

On your other question, yes, the battery can likely be charged overnight back to full charge with a standard battery charger available from Sears or Pep Boys (I have one of these too).

Good luck,

Dan

[viperCFP]

Point taken OGO.  With that, I'm offering SoCal members a new service... whenever anyone goes on extended vacations or has to leave town, I will offer my "Viper Tender" services free of charge.  Just let me know the span of days you will be away, and the max number of miles I have to work with.  The car battery will be as strong as before you left!

>j

>m

It's called driving it >v >v these cars don't like sitting >1 I still have my original OEM battery >g >v 64,566 miles in almost 6 years >r >r

With this car if the battery goes flat  >o your toast >o they don't like to be recharged.

That's my .99 cents (inflation) >v

OGO  O O O

[ViperX]

Hey Mike,

Your car should fire right up unless the battery is internally shorted out.

Check your volt meter after the car is running and while driving for the next day or so.  Should be about 14 volts while running down the road, a bit lower at idle (specially with the AC on).  If it's not, you may have an alternator or charging system issue.

Hope you two can make Viper Days in September.

Dan  <2

[Kala]

Point taken OGO.  With that, I'm offering SoCal members a new service... whenever anyone goes on extended vacations or has to leave town, I will offer my "Viper Tender" services free of charge. 

I got excited reading the first part of this... I thought I suddenly had a Gen II to drive, on vacation  >o
In the correct fastest color too  ^2

Anyway, my input here is that there was recently a thread I read on the National forum, addressing jump starting a Gen II...

http://forums.viperclub.org/rt-10-gts-discussions/615610-caution-when-jump-starting-your-gen-ii.html