Decent battery charger

[scootr]

What failed on the ones you bought? I'd read that the Schumacher ones were supposed to be good.

I'm still using a trickle charger I built 50+ years ago...nothing fancy, just a 12V transformer, a bridge rectifier and an ammeter. Does the job. I'll usually put it on a timer so it's only powered for 3-4 hr/day in the winter so I don't overcharge small powersport (ATV, snowmobile, etc.) batteries.

Impressed. Wish I had those skills.

 

[cqaigy2]

What failed on the ones you bought? I'd read that the Schumacher ones were supposed to be good.

I'm still using a trickle charger I built 50+ years ago...nothing fancy, just a 12V transformer, a bridge rectifier and an ammeter. Does the job. I'll usually put it on a timer so it's only powered for 3-4 hr/day in the winter so I don't overcharge small powersport (ATV, snowmobile, etc.) batteries.

Nice! That's pretty bare bones for sure. Should work just fine on lead acid.

 

[WranglerX]

Just find old school transformer charger with no "electronics".... I have a old one that is like 30+ years old and keeps on going.... It fell off shelf a year or so ago and broke ammeter, put digital ammeter in place of analog one and it keeps going....

 

[ruffdog]

I have old big chargers that will bring a battery back from low charge but I wanted a battery maintainer that will keep one charged. I tried cheap Schumacher maintainers and they would charge, then let the battery discharge, worse than no charger at all. I then bought the metal box Battery Tender maintainers and they have been GREAT. If I know I won't be using the equipment or car for a while, just clip it on and forget it.

https://www.amazon.com/Battery-Tend...t=&hvlocphy=9018912&hvtargid=pla-434255813726

 

[crashz]

I have a big wheeled Schumacher that is a charger/jump starter and it works great. That's for when you need to get going and you have a battery too low to crank. I think I bought it on Amazon, but can't remember.

For trickle chargers I bought a Noco 1 based on reviews here. Liked it so much I bought two more with long leads. They charge nearly every battery type and wil bring a low battery up in about 48 hours. The smart technology is supposed to de-sulphate and maintain the batteries, but they are worth it just to have the batteries up to snuff and usable.

 

[grsthegreat]

NOCO makes the best chargers…period. Im amazed at their products. My Noco genius 10 can resurrect a dead battery. Can charge a 0 volt battery where other chargers cant. Will desulfate if asked to Repair.

 

[LittleBill21]

I bought this one, seems to work ok, still love my original vector's

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B...a31231ade246e&language=en_US&ref_=as_li_ss_tl

 

[Cougsfan]

I think it is a bit of a crapshoot on what brand to get. I have two Shumaker trickle chargers that have worked well for many years, an expensive Battery Tender that failed in less than a year, a Craftsman that only worked for about a measly 40 years before failing, and a Harbor Freight replacement for it that has worked well for 10 years now. I am not convinced that one brand is that much superior to another. They all have diodes that are capable of failing.

 

[LouNY]

I would say a lot depends upon your needs from a charger.
Myself I have a couple of maintainers for idle equipment.
My charger is an old dropped and stepped on unit with a 5Amp, a 20 amp charge,
or a 30 amp fast charge and 50 amp starter boost that are on thermal timers and cut out after a few minutes.
I'd would like a good 10 AMP, 30 Amp charger with a 100 or 150 amp start boost haven't found one I'll buy yet.

 

[ljjhouser]

If you are not looking for a higher amperage with starter capabilities - I also like the NOCO Genius. They charge different types of batteries (AGM - lead acid-lithum) and will charge with excellent battery maintainer ability to not overcharge or cook the battery. I use the dual to maintain the tractor battery and also to maintain the expensive winch battery (keep both on during the winter). They just keep running - I don't pay any attention to them, just check the light to see battery condition when I use the batteries.

NOCO 10 amp dual
NOCO 5 amp single