CTEK Power, Inc. Battery Maintainers
Filters
1-4 of 4 Products
Item # 7162694
Item # 7162580
Item # 7162467
Item # 7168631
Battery Maintainers
If you have never purchased one before, you may be inclined to think
that a battery maintainer is the same as a charger, but they differ from
each other in terms of use. Chargers must be disconnected once the
battery is full to avoid overcharging. Battery maintainers charge a
battery only when voltage drops and are designed for extended use. If
you need to store a classic car, motorcycle,
lawn mower, or ATV for the winter
season or other lengthy period, choose a battery maintainer.
Some of the
battery maintainers in our selection are also desulfators and will
remove lead sulfate crystals that form inside your batteries over time.
This process will enhance the battery’s reliability and performance.
When it comes time to purchase, do not select a device with higher
voltage than the battery(s) you intend to attach it to. Using a
maintainer with too much voltage will cause damage. We offer a variety
of battery maintainers from trustworthy brands including BatteryMINDer,
Schumacher, and Duracell. All are made with high-quality materials and
will help extend the life of your battery with proper use.
Be sure to browse the Best Battery Maintainers list which reveals our customer's favorites.
Battery Maintainer Frequently Asked Questions:
Can automotive battery maintainers be left connected to the battery for an extended period without overcharging or damaging the battery?
Yes. Battery maintainers are designed to be connected to a battery continuously. A battery maintainer stops sending a charge to a battery once the battery is fully charged.
Can an automotive battery maintainer revive a completely dead battery, or is it only effective for maintaining already charged batteries?
Yes. A battery maintainer can revive a dead battery. Just be sure that the maintainer you’re using fits the size and type of battery, and follow manufacturer’s directions carefully to prevent damage. Keep in mind that a battery maintainer cannot thoroughly revive a battery that is at the end of its service life (e.g., a 6-year battery that’s 6 years old and dead). A battery maintainer may be able to charge such a battery, but it will lose charge very quickly, so buying a new battery is the best option in this case.
Can automotive battery maintainers be used on all types of batteries, including lead-acid, AGM and gel batteries?
Yes. Battery maintainers can be used on all types of batteries as long as you are using the right type of maintainer for your battery type and size. Check with the manufacturer of your battery maintainer to see which types and sizes of batteries are compatible with it. Be prepared for the possibility of purchasing a different type of battery maintainer for a specific type or size of battery.
How often should I use an automotive battery maintainer to keep my vehicle's battery in good condition?
A battery maintainer is intended for long-term continuous use, so you can keep it on the battery for the length of your battery’s stated service life. That said, it’s a good idea to check the battery maintainer at intervals to be sure there hasn’t been a short-out, in which case, prepare for the possibility of a new battery.
Are there different sizes or capacities of automotive battery maintainers, and how do I choose the right one for my vehicle?
The different types of battery maintainers include three main options:
A single-bank maintainer is designed for one battery, although it might feature some additional, smart charging capacities.
A multi-bank maintainer is designed to service two, four or 10 batteries. If you have multiple batteries that need storage or maintenance, this type of maintainer is the way to go. Be sure you have enough cables to connect this type of maintainer to your batteries. Also be sure each of the batteries is compatible with your maintainer.
A hybrid maintainer includes several charging modes, so you can charge dead or almost-dead batteries in addition to keeping a good charge in healthy batteries.
Is it safe to leave an automotive battery maintainer connected to the battery for an extended period?
Yes. An automotive battery maintainer is designed to stay connected to a battery for a continuous long-term period. A maintainer will keep a battery well charged, and once the battery is fully charged, the maintainer will stop delivering charge to avoid damage to the battery. However, it’s important to check on both the battery and battery maintainer at intervals to ensure that a short-out has not occurred.
How do I properly connect and use an automotive battery maintainer to ensure effective and safe charging?
The best answer to this question is to read and follow the manufacturer’s instructions included with your battery maintainer to ensure that you’re aware of any details specific to your unit.
Also, keep in mind that cars today use electronics to monitor battery drain, so they differ from older cars without those electronics. Workarounds may be necessary. For example, on a car with electronics monitoring battery drain, a chassis ground is a better choice than the negative terminal (which could clear error codes from memory).
Likewise, today’s battery terminal clamps make it impossible to connect the positive lead of the pigtail directly to the battery. Instead, it’s possible to connect the positive lead to where the battery feeds the fuse panel, and then use a nearby chassis ground for the negative lead. Once you connect your battery maintainer and see that it’s delivering a charge, be sure to check on it periodically to ensure a short-out has not occurred.
With a smart set-and-forget charger, a battery will be maintained throughout a winter and start right off again in the spring.