Quality battery charger/maintainer?

[Hunter29]

How about solar powered charger/maintainers? At Casa Paratus Norte there is no electricity except if I bring it in with a generator. So Solar for keeping the battery on the 3930 sounds promising, assuming there is some decent quality out there..

I'm also thinking about this and a 20 watt Panel

https://www.renogy.com/renogy-voyag...-charge-controller-w-lcd-display-and-led-bar/

 

[fried1765]

Thanks, tired of wasting money on "disposable" units that aren't reliable or accurate. Schumacher XCS15W just overheated a battery in one of my trucks. Claimed it was in maintain mode, fluid bubbling from vents, case warm to touch. Unit was putting out 16 volts, was working near truck smelled a battery odor, glad I checked it out.

Thanks,
Q

I don't buy Schumacher, Century, or Harbor Freight battery chargers.
I have already had my once in a lifetime MAJOR fire.
For unattended electrical equipment, I buy the highest quality that I can find, and Schumacher, Century, or HF ain't it!

 

[Hunter29]

I don't buy Schumacher, Century, or Harbor Freight battery chargers.
I have already had my once in a lifetime MAJOR fire.
For unattended electrical equipment, I buy the highest quality that I can find, and Schumacher, Century, or HF ain't it!

What do you use ?

 

[fried1765]

What do you use ?

I have a mix of Battery Tenders, and Battery Tender Jr's, but I don't like them. Several have failed, though none have smoked. They are somewhat old technology.

I think the best bang for the buck is the Battery Minder 1500, I have several Battery minders.
I am going to try the NOCO Genius G1100 next.

I leave all (17) of my batteries unattended for up to 6 months.

 

[CADplans]

I got a 150 amp alternator in my truck,,,
WHY does my truck not charge the trailer battery when I am driving?? :confused2:

 

[Hunter29]

I have a mix of Battery Tenders, and Battery Tender Jr's, but I don't like them. Several have failed, though none have smoked. They are old technology.

I think the best bang for the buck is the Battery Minder 1500, I have several Battery minders.
I am going to try the NOCO Genius G1100 next.

I leave all (17) of my batteries unattended for up to 6 months.

Look very closely at this, and the NOCO, I think they are the same, I just bought one and the manual and packaging are the same..And its much cheaper.

https://www.homedepot.com/p/Smarter...olt-12-Volt-Battery-Charger-IC-1000/303114813

 

[jaxs]

I got a 150 amp alternator in my truck,,,
WHY does my truck not charge the trailer battery when I am driving?? :confused2:

Likely because you don't have the 7 way plug wired right or the fuse has blown. With truck running,looking into vehicle side of plug with indexing key at 12 0-clock,#4 terminal at 1 o-clock should read more than 12.9 volts. Why that fuse commonly blow's is a subject all of it's own and deserve's a dedicated thread.

 

[QueBota]

Thanks everyone, have been thinking about my requirements. I like the features of my POSchumacher, 15 amp/3 amp charge setings, Std, AGM and Gell battery settings. I have a Deltran 1.5 amp tender, its older and works well but it's really just a tender, charge from low/flat to charged takes many hours. I'd like the same features as my POShumacher in a higher quality package, 15 and 3 amp charge and battery type choices with auto switch over to maintain once fully charged.

Thanks,
Q

 

[jaxs]

Thanks everyone, have been thinking about my requirements. I like the features of my POSchumacher, 15 amp/3 amp charge setings, Std, AGM and Gell battery settings. I have a Deltran 1.5 amp tender, its older and works well but it's really just a tender, charge from low/flat to charged takes many hours. I'd like the same features as my POShumacher in a higher quality package, 15 and 3 amp charge and battery type choices with auto switch over to maintain once fully charged.

Thanks,
Q

Deltran sell's chargers with those features but how often do you need to charge from discharged to maintaine while not being in attendance? On rare occasions when dealing with low/no charged battery, I put my 10/5/2 charger on until 60% to 80% then switch to one of my 1.5 Deltrans. When connecting 10/5/2,if I don't plan being around I plug into timer to protect from overcharge. One of my 1.5 Deltrans is 14 years old,the others are over 10. All of them top off then hold 12.7 volts,some times for months on boat.

 

[QueBota]

True, I have way to many vehicles, hard to start/drive all regularly, like the convenience of the 15/3 amp charge auto switch to maintenance mode. I have a 1960s Craftsman wheel model for charging when I around