"Best" Battery Tender for long term BRZ storage?
 

I've had to park my MY17 BRZ Premium for several (2+) months of inactivity. I'm looking to purchase a "Battery Tender" (float charger?) to charge/maintain the battery during this long term storage period. The BRZ is (fortunately) in a secure temperature controlled weather-proof private garage with access to a power outlet.

(It's actually already been stored/un-driven 5 weeks as of tomorrow/Sunday 09/30, so it's already possible the battery has lost its charge -- hence the battery tender has to both recharge a possible drained battery and also keep it on a "float" charge during the following month or two remaining in unattended storage.)

I've done the usual Google searches but no one product seems to be "the best". Does anyone here have experience with a battery tender and long term storage? I've never used one of these before and want to make certain whatever I purchase and connect to my (beloved) BRZ during this unattended storage period doesn't end up damaging the electrical system (or worse), and keeps my battery fully charged to preserve settings and crank the starter upon my return.

Battery Tender and Schumacher are the big names but the larger unit from Harbor freight works quite well. I have used them all on boats and cars with good success.
(After long storage check the water level.)

I use this one "
Battery Tender 021-0123 - Battery Tender Junior 12 volt .750 amp"

http://www.canadiantire.ca/en/pdp/ba...1940p.html#srp

I store my car between 5-6 months and have no issues with this one. Plug it in and forget about it. Works great!

I use this one as well. I think I bought it for around $20 USD and it works great.

I have been using the Battery Tender Plus for over 5 years on my classic cars...

There are usually two types, tender only, or charger(2-5+amps) and tender in one. I have a 2in1 shumacher(5amps) and it has been good for the last 4-5 months. The second cheapest 2in1 unit at harbor freight went out on me after 2 months. I believe the shumacher has a 3 year warranty.

This is one of those weird things in life....(Cheap Chinese shit which actually works).

I've been using the cheapest 'automatic battery float charger' cen-tech brand named (item #42292 in my case) from Harbor freight for about two years.
I paid around $5. for it. Now listed on their site for $10. and currently on Amazon for $7.45.
Surely, wait shortly, and you'll see it again from Harbor Freight for around $5...one of their items they often greatly discount.

This battery tender has worked just fine...even recharging a battery which was low enough to not start the car...after tender was then attached to that battery for a couple of days.

I do live in a climate in which outdoor temp never gets below 27 degrees, therefore can't say how it would do elsewhere.


Note: Battery which got recharged above is a 4 year old 'Everstart plus' brand from Wallymart, which had a 2 year warranty. Cheapest place I know of to purchase a new battery.

So to chime in here in a different sense. I plan on putting my 86 in the garage for storage. I will be around it constantly tho. So could i just start it once a week and not have to trickle charge it?

yes starting every week or two works well as long as you let the engine warm up. This is needed to dry out the condensation from cold starting and to fully recharge the battery from the starting load.

I use this one on our lead acid batteries:
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000FQBWCY/

Get a tender. The battery will do better and last longer. It's also nicer than trying to start/run the car enough to charge it up properly.

I've used a Battery Tender plus for at least 10 years on my cars and motorcycles (when I had them). I drive a short distance every day in my BRZ, and actually hook it up to the tender every two weeks. Same thing with the Outback. I keep both car batteries fully charged whenever I remember.