How to revive a Best Tug if you leave it on

[MountainDude]

After owning my A3 for 5 years, it finally happened - I left it on and the batteries died. The provided charger would not charge them because their voltage is too low.
Here is how to revive them:
- Remove the cover
- Disconnect the batteries
- Charge each of the two batteries until they reach 7-10V (1-3 min) using a dumb charger that has no regard to the voltage. I used my portable Li ion charger: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B09QC4HLT2?th=1
- Re-connect the batteries and put the cover back on
- Plug in the provided charger
That's it.

 

[Gary Ward]

I always leave the light on, on mine so it makes harder to forget to turn it off. Kinda a pilot light.

Mine came out of the crate on, with dead batteries. They sent me new ones.
They said if the voltage is below 2 volts the batteries need to replaced. Mine were around 1 volt.

 

[172andyou]

I was sure that they had an auto-off feature. No idea you could leave them on in a way that would drain the battery.

 

[MountainDude]

I was sure that they had an auto-off feature. No idea you could leave them on in a way that would drain the battery.

For a $4,000+ product, that is a serious omission. Still love it.

 

[Brad Z]

Anyone want to sell me their A-3? My 182 is going to throw out my back, sigh.

 

[Gary Ward]

I was sure that they had an auto-off feature. No idea you could leave them on in a way that would drain the battery.

This is what they said to me 5-6 years ago, that they were developing a auto shut off.
I don't think it has happened yet because my hangar neighbor bought one last fall and it did not have auto shut off.

 

[robin ardoin]

Anyone want to sell me their A-3? My 182 is going to throw out my back, sigh.

Consider a Sidewinder, particularly if you can find a used 28v version (battery availability is no problem). I’ve been using one on my 210, often near MGW, and it works great. Last evening I pulled my fully laden 210 through a shallow dry ditch, into a field, then back onto the road. I couldn’t believe that it was that capable. Also portable.

 

[dans2992]

Consider a Sidewinder, particularly if you can find a used 28v version (battery availability is no problem). I’ve been using one on my 210, often near MGW, and it works great. Last evening I pulled my fully laden 210 through a shallow dry ditch, into a field, then back onto the road. I couldn’t believe that it was that capable. Also portable.

Your comment that the 28v batteries are available interests me. I own one. What is your source for batteries in the future? I’m wondering what I’ll do when my batteries die.

 

[455 Bravo Uniform]

@Brad Z consider the Sidewinder or a Mini-Max.

I have a Mini-max and without wheel pants, I carry it in the plane when solo long cross country.

 

[robin ardoin]

Your comment that the 28v batteries are available interests me. I own one. What is your source for batteries in the future? I’m wondering what I’ll do when my batteries die.

I’ve seen them online as OEM still, but, there are non-Milwaukee options. I’ve heard reports that the 18v doesn’t have the power of the 28. Glad I bought mine before they switched to the 18v Fuel motor.

 

[Brad Z]

Consider a Sidewinder, particularly if you can find a used 28v version (battery availability is no problem). I’ve been using one on my 210, often near MGW, and it works great. Last evening I pulled my fully laden 210 through a shallow dry ditch, into a field, then back onto the road. I couldn’t believe that it was that capable. Also portable.

Looks like it needs a naked wheel to work.

I’ve had my 182 for 16 years now and I’d be embarrassed to be seen around the airport without pants.

 

[455 Bravo Uniform]

Looks like it needs a naked wheel to work.

I’ve had my 182 for 16 years now and I’d be embarrassed to be seen around the airport without pants.

Mini-max makes a pants model if you don’t have sexy legs like me…

 

[Stewartb]

My Best Tug doesn’t have lithium batteries. It has AGMs. I’ve had good luck forcing voltage into AGMs by using a charger with “start” function. It’ll push voltage into a totally dead battery, but you need to attend it or the battery will build internal pressure and blow the case. These days I use a Noco Genius charger. It has a “repair” setting to wake up dead batteries.

I replaced my A3 batteries after draining
them to zero volts. They were never the same after recovering them.

 

[Gary Ward]

My Best Tug doesn’t have lithium batteries. It has AGMs. I’ve had good luck forcing voltage into AGMs by using a charger with “start” function. It’ll push voltage into a totally dead battery, but you need to attend it or the battery will build internal pressure and blow the case. These days I use a Noco Genius charger. It has a “repair” setting to wake up dead batteries.

I replaced my A3 batteries after draining
them to zero volts. They were never the same after recovering them.

I still have the original AGM batteries sitting on my work bench. I use them once in a while to test 12-24 volts devices. They probably aren't good enough for heavy loads and still are holding a charge after 5-6 years.

 

[flyingcheesehead]

I revived the batteries from our Best Tug by removing them and charging them at home and then reinstalling. One didn't hold charge at first so I charged it up again before reinstalling.

Also, the charger that comes with the Best Tugs is garbage. After ours died, we replaced it with a better one and the tug lasts noticeably longer now. Most of the battery/charging/drivetrain components on the Best Tugs are just mobility scooter or electric wheelchair parts, so it's easy to find replacements locally.