Smart battery chargers with reconditioning modes

[daugen]

Have you contacted VDC Electronics (manufacturer of BatteryMinder chargers) to see if they will repair or replace it? They've got a 5 year warranty.

Well now that sure is an excellent idea. I don't like throwing this stuff in land fills at all.
Will go back and check Amazon past orders to find out when I ordered it.
thank you even if I think it's a little older than that.
An old friend actually, charged hundreds of batteries with it.

I admit though I like the waterproof one Dave has.

I'd like to build a really nice smart charger in a nice case as a Heath Kit. Remember them?
Good handwork project for some time.
but then it would have to have a dozen gauges on it for sure, integrated multi meter, battery tester and
oscilloscope. I mean, you do want to check your waveform don't you?...

ok, step two, check to see if under warranty. Mucho gracias.

 

[John_Mc]

Well now that sure is an excellent idea. I don't like throwing this stuff in land fills at all.
Will go back and check Amazon past orders to find out when I ordered it.
thank you even if I think it's a little older than that.
An old friend actually, charged hundreds of batteries with it.
...
ok, step two, check to see if under warranty. Mucho gracias.

If you can't prove the purchase date, they will most likely agree to go with the date of manufacture. It was printed on the back of my Aviation-specific charger. As it turns out, mine was 6 years old, so out of warranty. (Really, I was not expecting it to be covered, since I thinkn it was fried by a power surge which took out other equipment in the airplane hangar as well. I called to see about possible repair, since a replacement was going to run me $250+. I think if I had been within the warranty period, they would have replaced it anyway. As it was, they gave me a nice discount on a new one, which was improved from the model it replaced.)

I'd like to build a really nice smart charger in a nice case as a Heath Kit. Remember them?
Good handwork project for some time.
but then it would have to have a dozen gauges on it for sure, integrated multi meter, battery tester and
oscilloscope. I mean, you do want to check your waveform don't you?...

I was seriously into the Heathkit stuff back in the '70s. I built a VTVM (Vacuum Tube Volt Meter), which was later converted to a VOM with a kit they offered that replaced the tubes with solid state components. I also built a Ham Radio Transceiver, which was a lot of fun. I often wish I had kept up with the Ham radio stuff, but I got busy with other things.

 

[John_Mc]

That Black & Decker Charger that Dave linked seems like an interesting one. It does not appear to offer some of the advanced features of the BatteryMinder units, but the 6 Amp model is a couple classes higher in the waterproof rating: Black and Decker unit is rated IP67 = submersion up to 1 meter deep for 1 minute, vs BatteryMinder IP65 = water jet from any direction. (IP 65 is relatively low pressure: more than a splash, but probably could overcome it with a spray nozzle on your garden hose if you were persistent.)

For the B&D units, you have to step up to the 15 Amp rated one before you get "battery reconditioning" (They don't explain it, but this is could be pulse desulfation, like what BatteryMinder has, though it's possible it is the less sophisticated "equalization charge".) However, that unit is no longer rated as waterproof.

I'm a bit concerned by the 14% one-star reviews of the B&D 6 amp charger (21% one-star for the 15A model). There seem to be some reliability issues. However, if the high waterproof rating of the 6 amp were critical to me, I'd try one - and just make sure I gave it a thorough work-out while it was still under warranty.

I own 6 of the BatteryMinder units of various models. They range in age from 2 years to 16 years. The only one that ever gave me trouble was the one that was fried by the power surge from nearby lightning strike (as mentioned in an earlier post). It was 6 years old, so out of warranty, but they did give me a nice discount on a replacement unit. I'm sticking with them until they give me some reason to doubt them.

 

[daugen]

turns out I bought that smart charger in Feb of 2012.
Since I need to charge that trailer battery occasionally and have to assume I'll be equally forgetful
going forward, I ordered the model Dave has, for the waterproof feature. I have a baby battery minder that I can always put
on a battery for some desulphation.

That whole area of reconditioning seems to be the wild west of claims and not much data.
Few units say what they are actually doing in technical language/specs to be all that smart.
What you mostly have is marketing and pretty diagrams and bad English.
Would it kill these manufacturers to actually put a set of instructions with it that doesn't have to be folded out sixteen times
and read from microscopic print? Good instructions should be a standard for a quality product; today it's awful.

I admit I haven't taken this inop one apart yet, brought it in to unscrew the four corner screws and see if it comes apart nicely at rubber gasket. And then under lots of light see what things look like inside, whether drinking has led to smoking.

 

[3930dave]

That Black & Decker Charger that Dave linked seems like an interesting one. It does not appear to offer some of the advanced features of the BatteryMinder units, but the 6 Amp model is a couple classes higher in the waterproof rating: Black and Decker unit is rated IP67 = submersion up to 1 meter deep for 1 minute, vs BatteryMinder IP65 = water jet from any direction. (IP 65 is relatively low pressure: more than a splash, but probably could overcome it with a spray nozzle on your garden hose if you were persistent.)

For the B&D units, you have to step up to the 15 Amp rated one before you get "battery reconditioning" (They don't explain it, but this is could be pulse desulfation, like what BatteryMinder has, though it's possible it is the less sophisticated "equalization charge".) However, that unit is no longer rated as waterproof.

That 6A B&D one nicely filled a recent gap in my charger lineup.

I have an original VDC 1.5A desulphating wall-wart like a number have people have posted about. Running as we speak, on a MC battery. Have had many years of great service from it.

A Ctek 3300 that I have 6+ years of constant service out of. Started acting up... per a few TBN posts, it may be nothing more than the mode selector switch, or a low-spec cap..... Liked the unit, but haven't cracked it open yet.... my old-vehicle MustDo projects keep taking precedence.

I have an olde-school (analog/linear, big TX core) 6A charger, that I paid something like $16 for, new, too many years ago.... Still works fine, and is my goto one for lifting a battery out of the weeds.... it just gets to work charging from the getgo, rather than the How Am I Feeling Today/Snowflake moods that some modern micro-controller based units get into.... Someone could offer me $200USD for that one, and I wouldn't take the offer.....

On a 1200km trip, I thought I had an alternator acting up, so bought a 15amp Schumacher charger. Multi-chemistry unit, with select-able output limits, % complete info..... good capable charger, but has an annoying-from-new fan noise...... the fan works fine, I just find it annoyingly shrill..... Out of what I have at present, likely my best AGM charger.

I'm fairly careful with my chargers, but "stuff" happens..... I've grown to appreciate simple and rugged case designs, and came to rely on the waterproof aspects of that Ctek. I still shelter an outside charger as best I can, but found that I was more likely to Get On With Charging Something, even if the weather looked dodgey, when the Ctek was up and running.....

Until you get into more expensive cables (not in lower or mid-tier consumer products usually), modern (post ROHS) cables have more trouble with very low temperatures. Some people had trouble with that 6A B&D, with the cables cracking...... these basic cables are stiff to begin with, if you wrap 'em tightly around the unit at -40..... you get what you get....... a version of the olde joke...... "Doc, it hurts when I do this___________".........

When you begin collecting tools, you might think "Why would I need more than one hammer ? "........ Chargers are like hammers, you can make do with one, but often it's nice to have a choice to work with....... I'm glad to be back to having a simple/rugged/waterproof "hammer" in my range of entropy-fighting weapons ,,,,,,

Rgds, D.

 

[Gregster613]

Well my thoughts on the Batteryminer 1500 are questioned as of today. I know I didn't buy these chargers until 2014 and maybe that does play a part in the over all picture, but was I surprised today!

I finally got around to making a mount for my new diverter valve, got all the hydraulic lines hooked up, went to start to check for leaks or what not and wouldn't you know...nothing but a click. Checked wires for continuity, checked grounds, etc., etc., and finally left battery all unhooked but connected to my "old fashioned" charger and it would charge for about an hour but then start flashing lights and show aborted. Twice this happened. I opened up the battery and it had two cells that were looking very low on water. I know...if I checked water on a regular basis maybe it would have lasted longer than five years; it's just that in order to effectively get to my battery I need to remove the entire hood! Not hard to do, but far to time consuming to be done on a regular basis.

That's why I went with the new fangled rejuvenater battery charger. I didn't want to have to remove the hood on a monthly basis just to check the battery water level. I thought it was working just fine. Blue light flashing as supposed to be doing, green lights as should be shown - all is good - Right? Two days ago I ran the tractor and had zero problems; put it away and plugged back in as usual. Today -- no love from tractor.

Tomorrow I will be back at napa getting another $105.00 Legend battery and be back at it for another 5 years it looks like. Darn, I hoped I'd be like some of you other lucky fools and get 10 - 15 years since I bought the new $60.00 smart charger! Boy was I the fool - huh? And I bought 3 of them! I thought with the blue light flashing all the old solvents were being washed away and fresh juice being pumped in, the battery's would last a long, long time. Bah-Hum, bug!!!

Live and learn is the old and very true saying. I now doubt the need for trickle chargers at all. I could be wrong (again) but my experience does "not" lead to faith in fancy trickle chargers. I will not just unplug and toss my charger, but I do question its effectiveness. I will be testing this question as soon as I get my replacement battery as it will be trickle charged from day one until its final hour as well. If I can only get 5 years then maybe I need look for a different brand of battery. Any suggestions on battery brands?? They are "all" basically the same. I think it's just luck of the pick when you buy one. Will it last - or not - is the essential question. I have not yet tried the gel type batteries, maybe they are worth a look? Although quite a bit more $$ up front. I just don't know; and I'm frustrated at having to replace so soon. Ah well. Life rolls on. Thanks Greg

 

[John_Mc]

Having Smart battery charger doesn't mean you can neglect basic maintenance like checking the water level in the cells. If you aren't likely to get to that from time to time, go with a sealed, maintenance-free battery. (I finally put an AGM battery in my tractor - bought just before Optima prices shot through the roof.) I don't know a thing about Legend brand, but if you want more than 5 years, start with a good battery.

It's also worth checking if the charging system is working properly in your tractor. If the system is putting out too high a voltage, it can boil off the electrolyte. Also, since your battery is mounted up near your radiator, making sure the cooling system is working properly (radiator blown out on a regular basis) will help: batteries don't like excessive heat.

 

[the old grind]

Shops tend to sell batteries FIFO, so often the rare-sized one we're handed over the counter is 6 mos old or more, has self-discharged to as low a 50%, hasn't been topped up, and has had its lifespan shortened by years for those aspects of wet cell types. SLA/AGM self-disharge slower but still suffer the same from long storage.

Instructions I snuck and read say that a <1.5a maintainer is no more a charger than a 'dumb' HFT or basic Battery-Tender trickler. You have to have a good battery with something of a charge to start with.

Think of our 1500s as more palliative than truly rejuvenating service on a battery >1YO, and then see what about the tractor might be draining yours when at rest. :2cents:

btw, 'Ring terminal' stubs for trickle chargers share polarity between most brands, come in various lengths, and provide easy connection. I have 'em on BH, M'cycle, ZTR mower, both CUTs so far, and rotate three brands of 'maintainers' at random. Never let a trickler sit idle, I say.

 

[stevem5215]

Well my thoughts on the Batteryminer 1500 are questioned as of today. I know I didn't buy these chargers until 2014 and maybe that does play a part in the over all picture, but was I surprised today!

I finally got around to making a mount for my new diverter valve, got all the hydraulic lines hooked up, went to start to check for leaks or what not and wouldn't you know...nothing but a click. Checked wires for continuity, checked grounds, etc., etc., and finally left battery all unhooked but connected to my "old fashioned" charger and it would charge for about an hour but then start flashing lights and show aborted. Twice this happened. I opened up the battery and it had two cells that were looking very low on water. I know...if I checked water on a regular basis maybe it would have lasted longer than five years; it's just that in order to effectively get to my battery I need to remove the entire hood! Not hard to do, but far to time consuming to be done on a regular basis.

That's why I went with the new fangled rejuvenater battery charger. I didn't want to have to remove the hood on a monthly basis just to check the battery water level. I thought it was working just fine. Blue light flashing as supposed to be doing, green lights as should be shown - all is good - Right? Two days ago I ran the tractor and had zero problems; put it away and plugged back in as usual. Today -- no love from tractor.

Tomorrow I will be back at napa getting another $105.00 Legend battery and be back at it for another 5 years it looks like. Darn, I hoped I'd be like some of you other lucky fools and get 10 - 15 years since I bought the new $60.00 smart charger! Boy was I the fool - huh? And I bought 3 of them! I thought with the blue light flashing all the old solvents were being washed away and fresh juice being pumped in, the battery's would last a long, long time. Bah-Hum, bug!!!

Live and learn is the old and very true saying. I now doubt the need for trickle chargers at all. I could be wrong (again) but my experience does "not" lead to faith in fancy trickle chargers. I will not just unplug and toss my charger, but I do question its effectiveness. I will be testing this question as soon as I get my replacement battery as it will be trickle charged from day one until its final hour as well. If I can only get 5 years then maybe I need look for a different brand of battery. Any suggestions on battery brands?? They are "all" basically the same. I think it's just luck of the pick when you buy one. Will it last - or not - is the essential question. I have not yet tried the gel type batteries, maybe they are worth a look? Although quite a bit more $$ up front. I just don't know; and I'm frustrated at having to replace so soon. Ah well. Life rolls on. Thanks Greg

Greg, You can't just throw a rejuvenation charger onto a battery that's already shot and expect it to come back to life like a miracle. If the battery has been mistreated (not charged in the off season and no water added with plates showing) you are done anyway. Nothing will help that situation. But, if you are on your maint of it and say every winter you top off the water and put the miracle charger on it during the off season that battery will treat you much better too. It's just like greasing and changing the oil in the tractor. You wouldn't consider not doing those too right ?

As for the desulfination mode. This is how you can make a old battery have better electrolytic chemical transfer to the plates for added current available for heavy use situations like a diesel tractor demands on starting. This also ensures a longer battery life as I have proven with my 9 year old battery in my Steiner (it uses a very small car type battery not lawn tractor). By keeping the battery maint up and using the desulfination mode a few times it really makes a difference in life. I also use the Ctek Smart charger on my lawn and garden batteries and I have one of those that's 6 years old now. Basically these batteries are the ones I bought new along with the Ctek charger. Ever since they've been lasting. And it's not by accident. It's the maintenance I've added to my normal oil changes and greasing.

I'm not trying to convince anybody that a smart charger is better. I already know and have proven it to myself. YMMV and will I'm sure.

Steve
Ctek MUS 3300 and a Ctek original smart charger (their first model and i bought it at a flea market broken and fixed it myself with a switch from Radio shack)

 

[Industrial Toys]

I think there are two types of smart chargers. Those designed by people truly interested in building a superior product and these usually cost more, and those that are just trying to build something with the greatest hype, marketing and curb appeal to make money. LEDs, displays and electronics, really are dirt cheap at the manufacturing level. I doubt you can even buy a charger with a good size transformer anymore. All cheap, switching PSUs .

I would even put the various Schumacher chargers I have owned into the latter category.