I have (6) original design Battery Tenders used for motorcycles and a garden tractor, but, after speaking w/ one of their salespeople, decided to try a Battery Tender Jr. for the MINI. We have an ’07 w/o theft alarm and the BT rep felt the Jr. would work just fine. It arrived yesterday and, since the car has been sitting since Feb. 19, I checked the battery voltage w/ a digital multi-meter. I forget the exact reading, but recall it was in the high 11’s. I hooked-up the new charger in the early afternoon using the alligator clips and it was still showing a red light this morning. Granted, it may have shown green before I looked, but it still concerned me. So, I took another reading w/ the charger disconnected after a few minutes and got something in the low 13’s, so I was less concerned. As I was installing the wiring harness, I took a peek at the window and it appeared to be that anti-freeze green which indicates a full-charge. I was wondering if any of you are using the BT “Junior” and, if so, is there enough oomph to ever turn green? If not, I’ll just swap one of my full-size BT’s for Jr.

Also, while lifting the battery/cowl cover to fish the wiring harness, the weather seal came up and in the less than great lighting, I’m not sure exactly how it fit. By looking at the attached photo, can any of you please tell me whether or not things are back in place?
Thanks,
JH in NE OH

 

As you know, keeping a battery topped up is a lot easier than bringing it back from almost dead.

I think a Jr will keep a completely charged battery fine - which is what it's designed to do. If you have an extrmemly low battery, you need to charge it up first.

What is the Jr rated for in charging amps? If the car is using close to that in it's parked condition, you need the heavier one.

 

Yup, the Jr will work fine. If the led is still red check to make sure that you've got it hooked up correctly polarity wise. Not that I've ever done it myself .

 

I've used a battery tender jr. for 3 years now on all my vehicles (4). It works great, but might take a few days to fully charge a dead battery. I have a 2000 Nissan Frontier that sits most of the winter and I have to charge it at least once a month or the alarm system on it will drain the battery completly. It takes about 3 days for the charging light to go solid green. I put it on the MINI (its stored all winter) about once a month, it takes about 24 hours to go green.

 

Thanks people, I appreciate the input. The fact my voltage is now in the 13's led me to believe things were going to be okay, but was afraid some electrical drain, even though we don't have an alarm, was drawing more than Jr. could provide. Again thanks!

 

It's gween....it's gween!

After just a little under 24 hrs., the display changed from red to blinking green and now a solid green. So, my concerns were unwarranted. Thanks again all for alieviating my fears before Junior finished its job.