Nissan 370Z Forum  

PSA - Don't use a Battery Tender Jr. on your Z

Hello everyone. Just got off the phone with Deltran who makes the Battery Tender smart trickle chargers. These are the chargers I've seen recommended for people storing their car over

Go Back   Nissan 370Z Forum > Nissan 370Z General Area > Nissan 370Z General Discussions


Like Tree25Likes

Reply
 
LinkBack Thread Tools Display Modes
Old 12-05-2013, 09:42 AM   #1 (permalink)
Enthusiast Member
 
Vaughanabe13's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2011
Location: Iowa
Posts: 387
Drives: 09 Nissan 370Z M6
Rep Power: 13
Vaughanabe13 has a spectacular aura aboutVaughanabe13 has a spectacular aura about
Exclamation PSA - Don't use a Battery Tender Jr. on your Z

Hello everyone. Just got off the phone with Deltran who makes the Battery Tender smart trickle chargers. These are the chargers I've seen recommended for people storing their car over the winter. I store my Z for about 3 months every winter and the last 2 years I have hooked up a Battery Tender Jr. to my battery. The first year after storage this way I went to start the car and it started very rough - like the battery barely had enough voltage. However I checked the battery later after driving it and it appeared fine so I just forgot about it.

Last year I again stored my Z with the Battery Tender Jr. connected. This time something odd happened. I store my car at a relative's house and asked him to check up on the tender every once in a while. He reported back that the Battery Tender Jr. was always flashing the green light. This indicates that the battery is >80% charged but not fully charged yet. All winter long it was flashing green and I didn't have access to the car so I didn't worry about it too much. When I went to pick up my Z in the spring, the battery was totally dead. Nothing. I had to jump charge it for a long time, probably about 30 minutes before it had enough charge to start up.

At this point I thought my battery was probably just old and nearing the end of its life (although that seems strange since it's only a 2009). I also tried searching the forums and google for anyone who had problems like this and I didn't come up with anything conclusive. Nor did I find any information from Deltran that said there would be an issue with a Battery Tender Jr. on a sports car. I had the battery tested after driving it for a while and sure enough the battery was fine and didn't need to be replaced, so I started to suspect the charger was at fault.

Fast forward to this winter and I just put my car into storage a couple weeks ago. The same thing is happening again. The charger is just blinking green again and never lights solid. I called up Deltran and told them the situation and they told me right away that the problem is that you can't use a Battery Tender Jr. on a sports car. They said cars like the Z have very high parasitic draw and this basically confuses the algorithm in the Tender Jr. and it can't keep up with all the electronics in the Z. They said I would need a Battery Tender Plus since it charges at a higher current. I had suspected as much, but until now I couldn't find any information confirming my suspicions.

TL;DR: Don't use a Battery Tender Jr. on your 370Z because it can't keep up with the high parasitic draw on the battery from the Z's electronics. It will make your battery die during winter storage and probably shorten the life of your battery over time. Spend the few extra dollars on the Tender Plus instead.
__________________
2009 Nissan 370Z Touring, w/sport, 6MT, chicane yellow/black.
Vaughanabe13 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 12-05-2013, 09:47 AM   #2 (permalink)
A True Z Fanatic
 
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: N/A
Posts: 76,801
Drives: N/A
Rep Power: 141520
kenchan has a reputation beyond reputekenchan has a reputation beyond reputekenchan has a reputation beyond reputekenchan has a reputation beyond reputekenchan has a reputation beyond reputekenchan has a reputation beyond reputekenchan has a reputation beyond reputekenchan has a reputation beyond reputekenchan has a reputation beyond reputekenchan has a reputation beyond reputekenchan has a reputation beyond repute
Default

been using battery tender on my G for the last 7yrs, Z for the last 4yrs with no issue.

this one:

http://www.amazon.com/Battery-Tender...battery+tender
Jasonle, gr8-wrx and cautupwitdm like this.
kenchan is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 12-05-2013, 09:49 AM   #3 (permalink)
A True Z Fanatic
 
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: N/A
Posts: 76,801
Drives: N/A
Rep Power: 141520
kenchan has a reputation beyond reputekenchan has a reputation beyond reputekenchan has a reputation beyond reputekenchan has a reputation beyond reputekenchan has a reputation beyond reputekenchan has a reputation beyond reputekenchan has a reputation beyond reputekenchan has a reputation beyond reputekenchan has a reputation beyond reputekenchan has a reputation beyond reputekenchan has a reputation beyond repute
Default

i would check your car for abnormal parasitic draw before blaiming it on the battery tender.
cautupwitdm and NismoZ70 like this.
kenchan is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 12-05-2013, 09:52 AM   #4 (permalink)
A True Z Fanatic
 
Chuck33079's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2011
Location: Houston
Posts: 12,265
Drives: 2011 370ztt
Rep Power: 29538
Chuck33079 has a reputation beyond reputeChuck33079 has a reputation beyond reputeChuck33079 has a reputation beyond reputeChuck33079 has a reputation beyond reputeChuck33079 has a reputation beyond reputeChuck33079 has a reputation beyond reputeChuck33079 has a reputation beyond reputeChuck33079 has a reputation beyond reputeChuck33079 has a reputation beyond reputeChuck33079 has a reputation beyond reputeChuck33079 has a reputation beyond repute
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by kenchan View Post
i would check your car for abnormal parasitic draw before blaiming it on the battery tender.


Or get the battery tested. If it's a 2009, and it's now 2013, that's a pretty good run from a battery. I never had a problem with my Battery Tender Jr. And it seems odd that the solution from the manufacturer is "The cheap one won't work. The expensive one will. You should buy the expensive one."
DEpointfive0 and Cbtech like this.
__________________
2011 MB Touring-Sport-6sp-Nav/GTM TT/FI TT TDX/JTran/Kosmic/Eibach/Hotchkis/SPC/CSF/RPS/SoThatsWhereAllMyMoneyWent
Chuck33079 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 12-05-2013, 09:56 AM   #5 (permalink)
A True Z Fanatic
 
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: N/A
Posts: 76,801
Drives: N/A
Rep Power: 141520
kenchan has a reputation beyond reputekenchan has a reputation beyond reputekenchan has a reputation beyond reputekenchan has a reputation beyond reputekenchan has a reputation beyond reputekenchan has a reputation beyond reputekenchan has a reputation beyond reputekenchan has a reputation beyond reputekenchan has a reputation beyond reputekenchan has a reputation beyond reputekenchan has a reputation beyond repute
Default

my G is 2004 and factory battery. my G is less polluting than a f-king prius.
kenchan is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 12-05-2013, 09:58 AM   #6 (permalink)
A True Z Fanatic
 
Chuck33079's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2011
Location: Houston
Posts: 12,265
Drives: 2011 370ztt
Rep Power: 29538
Chuck33079 has a reputation beyond reputeChuck33079 has a reputation beyond reputeChuck33079 has a reputation beyond reputeChuck33079 has a reputation beyond reputeChuck33079 has a reputation beyond reputeChuck33079 has a reputation beyond reputeChuck33079 has a reputation beyond reputeChuck33079 has a reputation beyond reputeChuck33079 has a reputation beyond reputeChuck33079 has a reputation beyond reputeChuck33079 has a reputation beyond repute
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by kenchan View Post
my G is 2004 and factory battery. my G is less polluting than a f-king prius.
Wow. Probably climate related. I get three years out of a battery. It's like clockwork.
DEpointfive0 likes this.
__________________
2011 MB Touring-Sport-6sp-Nav/GTM TT/FI TT TDX/JTran/Kosmic/Eibach/Hotchkis/SPC/CSF/RPS/SoThatsWhereAllMyMoneyWent
Chuck33079 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 12-05-2013, 10:13 AM   #7 (permalink)
A True Z Fanatic
 
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: N/A
Posts: 76,801
Drives: N/A
Rep Power: 141520
kenchan has a reputation beyond reputekenchan has a reputation beyond reputekenchan has a reputation beyond reputekenchan has a reputation beyond reputekenchan has a reputation beyond reputekenchan has a reputation beyond reputekenchan has a reputation beyond reputekenchan has a reputation beyond reputekenchan has a reputation beyond reputekenchan has a reputation beyond reputekenchan has a reputation beyond repute
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by Chuck33079 View Post
Wow. Probably climate related. I get three years out of a battery. It's like clockwork.
yah, im not in a super hot climate and dont drive the car in really hot weather anyway since i only motor them on weekend motrnings. i do add distilled water though when needed.
kenchan is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 12-05-2013, 10:13 AM   #8 (permalink)
Track Member
 
Join Date: Jan 2013
Location: My own world
Posts: 506
Drives: 2010 Nismo
Rep Power: 13
122554 is on a distinguished road
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by Chuck33079 View Post
Wow. Probably climate related. I get three years out of a battery. It's like clockwork.
You're right. The heat will kill em!
__________________


I don't normally drink beer, but when I do....i drink a lot!
122554 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 12-05-2013, 10:18 AM   #9 (permalink)
Enthusiast Member
 
Vaughanabe13's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2011
Location: Iowa
Posts: 387
Drives: 09 Nissan 370Z M6
Rep Power: 13
Vaughanabe13 has a spectacular aura aboutVaughanabe13 has a spectacular aura about
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by kenchan View Post
i would check your car for abnormal parasitic draw before blaiming it on the battery tender.
There's nothing on my car drawing unnecessary power and the intelligent key battery is pulled as well so the car isn't communicating with the key. Car is stock and nothing is plugged into the adapter ports. There's really nothing it could be and the battery tested solid. I'm still going with the manufacturer on this one. Otherwise what would I even do? I'm not buying a new battery because there's nothing wrong with the current battery. I agree it sounds convenient for the manufacturer to recommend the more expensive model, but the Plus charges at twice the current so it makes perfect sense. She also told me how to troubleshoot the Tender Jr. to make sure it isn't defective (which I did, and it isn't) but she said that won't matter because the Tender Jr. wasn't designed for sports cars. If you guys don't want to listen to me that's fine, but I'm going on my third winter now and I'm sick of having a dead battery in the spring on a relatively new car. It may be 2013 now but I bought the car in fall 11 with only 4K miles. There's no way the battery should be dead this fast.
__________________
2009 Nissan 370Z Touring, w/sport, 6MT, chicane yellow/black.

Last edited by Vaughanabe13; 12-05-2013 at 10:24 AM.
Vaughanabe13 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 12-05-2013, 10:18 AM   #10 (permalink)
A True Z Fanatic
 
IDZRVIT's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2009
Location: Halifax
Posts: 1,659
Drives: '13 CTS-V, '76 Vette
Rep Power: 26
IDZRVIT has a reputation beyond reputeIDZRVIT has a reputation beyond reputeIDZRVIT has a reputation beyond reputeIDZRVIT has a reputation beyond reputeIDZRVIT has a reputation beyond reputeIDZRVIT has a reputation beyond reputeIDZRVIT has a reputation beyond reputeIDZRVIT has a reputation beyond reputeIDZRVIT has a reputation beyond reputeIDZRVIT has a reputation beyond reputeIDZRVIT has a reputation beyond repute
Default

I bought the BT plus for my Harley's years ago (sold both a few yeras ago) and now use it between my vette, Z and lawn tractor over the winters. No problems ever. The BT junior has a charge rate of 0.75 AH vice 1.25 AH for the plus. It should keep any battery charged. Maybe the BT jr is faulty?
kenchan and Chuck33079 like this.
__________________
"America.... still builds rockets!"
Vette: 355 cid, 400 rwhp
'13 CTS-V Coupe: 6.2L LSA, 556HP
IDZRVIT is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 12-05-2013, 10:19 AM   #11 (permalink)
A True Z Fanatic
 
Chuck33079's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2011
Location: Houston
Posts: 12,265
Drives: 2011 370ztt
Rep Power: 29538
Chuck33079 has a reputation beyond reputeChuck33079 has a reputation beyond reputeChuck33079 has a reputation beyond reputeChuck33079 has a reputation beyond reputeChuck33079 has a reputation beyond reputeChuck33079 has a reputation beyond reputeChuck33079 has a reputation beyond reputeChuck33079 has a reputation beyond reputeChuck33079 has a reputation beyond reputeChuck33079 has a reputation beyond reputeChuck33079 has a reputation beyond repute
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by Vaughanabe13 View Post
There's nothing on my car drawing unnecessary power and the intelligent key battery is pulled as well so the car isn't communicating with the key. Car is stock and nothing is plugged into the adapter ports. There's really nothing it could be and the battery tested solid. I'm still going with the manufacturer on this one. Otherwise what would I even do? I'm not buying a new battery because there's nothing wrong with the current battery.
Then the BT Jr died. It's a bad unit if I had to guess.
__________________
2011 MB Touring-Sport-6sp-Nav/GTM TT/FI TT TDX/JTran/Kosmic/Eibach/Hotchkis/SPC/CSF/RPS/SoThatsWhereAllMyMoneyWent
Chuck33079 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 12-05-2013, 10:23 AM   #12 (permalink)
A True Z Fanatic
 
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: N/A
Posts: 76,801
Drives: N/A
Rep Power: 141520
kenchan has a reputation beyond reputekenchan has a reputation beyond reputekenchan has a reputation beyond reputekenchan has a reputation beyond reputekenchan has a reputation beyond reputekenchan has a reputation beyond reputekenchan has a reputation beyond reputekenchan has a reputation beyond reputekenchan has a reputation beyond reputekenchan has a reputation beyond reputekenchan has a reputation beyond repute
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by Vaughanabe13 View Post
There's nothing on my car drawing unnecessary power and the intelligent key battery is pulled as well so the car isn't communicating with the key. Car is stock and nothing is plugged into the adapter ports. There's really nothing it could be and the battery tested solid. I'm still going with the manufacturer on this one. Otherwise what would I even do? I'm not buying a new battery because there's nothing wrong with the current battery. I agree it sounds convenient for the manufacturer to recommend the more expensive model, but the Plus charges at twice the current so it makes perfect sense. If you guys don't want to listen to me that's fine, but I'm going on my third winter now and I'm sick of having a dead battery in the spring on a relatively new car. It may be 2013 now but I bought the car in 11 with only 4K miles. There's no way the battery should be dead this fast.
have them send you a replacement battery tender jr and see. i'd unplug the battery from the car to do this test as well.

you shouldnt have to unplug the battery from the car though when using battery tender.
kenchan is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 12-05-2013, 10:35 AM   #13 (permalink)
Base Member
 
Join Date: Mar 2013
Location: Austin
Posts: 154
Drives: 370Z Touring M6
Rep Power: 12
Troyz is on a distinguished road
Exclamation Long Term Parking

I would be more concerned about letting a 370Z sit for 3 months over battery issues.

Quote:
Originally Posted by Vaughanabe13 View Post
... I store my Z for about 3 months every winter and the last 2 years...
Troyz is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 12-05-2013, 10:37 AM   #14 (permalink)
A True Z Fanatic
 
Chuck33079's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2011
Location: Houston
Posts: 12,265
Drives: 2011 370ztt
Rep Power: 29538
Chuck33079 has a reputation beyond reputeChuck33079 has a reputation beyond reputeChuck33079 has a reputation beyond reputeChuck33079 has a reputation beyond reputeChuck33079 has a reputation beyond reputeChuck33079 has a reputation beyond reputeChuck33079 has a reputation beyond reputeChuck33079 has a reputation beyond reputeChuck33079 has a reputation beyond reputeChuck33079 has a reputation beyond reputeChuck33079 has a reputation beyond repute
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by Troyz View Post
I would be more concerned about letting a 370Z sit for 3 months over battery issues.


In places that snow, it's very common for people to put their sports cars away after snow starts falling and take them out again in spring. Did I misread your post somehow?
__________________
2011 MB Touring-Sport-6sp-Nav/GTM TT/FI TT TDX/JTran/Kosmic/Eibach/Hotchkis/SPC/CSF/RPS/SoThatsWhereAllMyMoneyWent
Chuck33079 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 12-05-2013, 11:01 AM   #15 (permalink)
A True Z Fanatic
 
Mt Tam I am's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2010
Location: California
Posts: 10,709
Drives: 370Z T/S/N 6MT & XKE
Rep Power: 3842
Mt Tam I am has a reputation beyond reputeMt Tam I am has a reputation beyond reputeMt Tam I am has a reputation beyond reputeMt Tam I am has a reputation beyond reputeMt Tam I am has a reputation beyond reputeMt Tam I am has a reputation beyond reputeMt Tam I am has a reputation beyond reputeMt Tam I am has a reputation beyond reputeMt Tam I am has a reputation beyond reputeMt Tam I am has a reputation beyond reputeMt Tam I am has a reputation beyond repute
Default

I had to replace my 2009 battery already too. I never used the charger but never checked the fluid level either, and it was low. Tons of heat on track days coupled without maintenance = new battery for me.
__________________
"Does the carpet match the drapes? NO!!! I don't date bald women."
Nissan Motorsports 34R Oil Cooler. Stillen CBE. Hotchkis Sport Sway Bars. KW Variant 3 Coilover System. Stillen Gen3 CAI. Michelin Pilot Super Sport. Stillen Brake Ducts. Carbotech™ XP10/XP8 Pads. Z1 Front Rotors. Z1 Stainless Brake Lines. Two degrees of camber
Mt Tam I am is offline   Reply With Quote
Reply

Bookmarks

Thread Tools
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is On
Trackbacks are On
Pingbacks are On
Refbacks are On


Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
Battery Tender Use Strangler Nissan 370Z Warranty / Scheduled Maintenance / Servicing / Repairs 16 12-18-2012 06:35 AM
Battery Tender/Trickle Charger Question: Hood open or closed? enkei2k Nissan 370Z General Discussions 11 12-09-2012 07:45 PM
Battery Tender OldGuy Nissan 370Z General Discussions 33 02-29-2012 03:17 PM
CTEK Battery Chargers - The Smartest Battery Chargers vividracing Drivetrain/Engine 5 01-31-2012 01:53 PM
Battery Tender Users: Routing The Power Cord? LunaZ Nissan 370Z General Discussions 1 12-17-2010 08:53 PM


All times are GMT -5. The time now is 08:54 AM.


Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.4
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, Jelsoft Enterprises Ltd.
Search Engine Optimization by vBSEO 3.6.0 PL2