Battery Charger vs. Battery Tender: What’s the Difference?
If you’re someone who owns an automobile or motorcycle, then you know how important it is to take good care of your vehicle’s battery. After all, the battery is the heart that keeps your vehicle running effectively. That’s why you need to choose the right maintenance tool to keep your battery functional and reliable. Two tools that you may have heard of are the battery charger and battery tender. And, you may be wondering what’s the difference between them.
What is a Battery Charger?
A battery charger is a device that uses electrical energy to recharge your vehicle’s battery. This type of tool comes in different sizes and power capacities to fit different maintenance needs. Battery chargers can recharge 6V, 12V, or 24V batteries depending on their configuration. They work by supplying more electrical energy to the discharged battery to recharge it back to its full capacity.
What is a Battery Tender?
On the other hand, a battery tender is a device that works to maintain a fully charged battery state. Unlike a battery charger, which looks to recharge an already discharged battery, a battery tender looks to keep a fully charged battery at its optimum level. A battery tender regulates the energy flowing into your vehicle’s battery to keep it in fully charged condition.
The Advantages of Battery Chargers
The primary advantage of a battery charger is that it has the power capacity to recharge even the most depleted battery. This means that you can use it when you notice that your battery is no longer responding or has a low charge. Also, battery chargers are easy to use and come with different charging modes to fit the maintenance needs of all types of batteries.
The Advantages of Battery Tenders
The primary advantage of a battery tender is that it maintains your battery at its optimum-level state, even when not in use. This means that your battery won’t lose its charge when left alone for extended periods of time. Additionally, battery tenders have a lower power output, which means that they won’t overcharge your battery, which could lead to its deterioration.