Battery Gurus Please Read

[dlhoppe]

I've always been one to keep my batteries charged to try to prevent sulfation. Doing so, I've had pretty good results in getting good life out of my batteries. However, I've been reading about a product called "The Battery Minder". This product is advertised to "desulfate" batteries and restore them. I can't help but be a little skeptical about a product that performs "miracles" and costs only $59.00. Is this thing for real? Anyone ever tried to recover a sulfated battery and get it to perform like new again with one of these devices?

Just curious.


Dave

[acadianbob]

These things are for real. I've got four of them! My batteries are always topped off, ready for use, and the batteries last a LONG time. My 2003 Yamaha motorcycle still has the original battery and it tests just fine. I use the Battery Minders on infrequently used stuff; motorcycle, RV trailer, tractors, etc. I highly recommend the product. I think you can rehabilitate a battery if it is not too far gone; no miracles though. Once had a deep cycle on a pop-up that a Battery Minder did a good job of bringing back. Most of my batteries go a good 8 years or more with a Battery Minder. That, to me, is unbelievable; especially in vehicles that sit a lot.

[Palomino_G210]

There is a desulphation circuit that you can buy from Barker Aircraft if you don't want to buy a new charger.

[Glenn5995]

My battery charger has that feature as well:

Black & Decker Tools | 110 Amp Engine Start - 40 Amp / 20 Amp / 10 Amp / 4 Amp Continuous Charge Rates - Smart Battery Charger

It seems to be able recover about 50% of dead batteries. It seems to be a better maintenance tool. I desulphate my batteries about once a year and they seem to last longer than before it did this.

[Triguy]

I've got a battery minder on my AGM motorcycle battery. The battery minder helped that battery to last me 10 years and I finally had to replace the battery this spring. The minder cost about $15 at that time but doesn't desulfate. Must be an upgrade or more advanced model.

I have a Stanley BC4009 Automatic Battery Charger (40 Amp) which can recondition the battery.

[acadianbob]

The Battery Minder does desulphate.

[acadianbob]

The Battery Minder will also do 3 batteries simultaneously.

[Triguy]

Oops - my mistake. Mine is a Battery Tender.

[dlhoppe]

Ok, thanks for the input. I decided to add an "on-board desulphator" device that will work in conjunction with the Roo's existing converter/charger. It can be mounted right on the top of the battery itself so I can use it while trickle charging during the off-season as well. If it works as advertised, it will pay for itself over time.

BatteryMINDer® OnBoard Battery Restorer-Conditioner 12-Volt With Battery and Charging System Indicator | All | Battery Chargers by BatteryMINDers.com


Dave

[dlhoppe]

Ok, added the on-board desulphator. Extremely simple to install. It took like 5 minutes. Indicators are showing correct behavior and it doesn't interfere with my Microlog battery monitor. At $55, it should be a worthy addition to our campers.

It'll be a long time before I know how well it works though.