Battery charger recommendations.

[KJQ6945]

I currently have a a black and decker smart charger, that is a POS, and an antique trickle charger. They are both going in the trash, and I want to get a new one tomorrow. What do the INGO pros recommend?

It's been a bad day, and there are currently two vehicles idling in my driveway.

 

[d.kaufman]

I have a diehard 40amp charger i use for at home. Got it at menards for $140 after tax. Has slow charge, start, and boost settings. Pretty lightweight, has collapsible handle for slightly easier storage, and have had no issues with it so far. Heres a link to the exact one i have.

https://www.menards.com/main/tools-...9-c-9100.htm?tid=-7182822912759377651&ipos=63

 

[thunderchicken]

I have a similar diehard charger and have used it a fair amount over the years. NAPA has some good chargers too. We abuse those pretty hard at work and they just keep going

 

[jkaetz]

I currently have a a black and decker smart charger, that is a POS, and an antique trickle charger. They are both going in the trash, and I want to get a new one tomorrow. What do the INGO pros recommend?

It's been a bad day, and there are currently two vehicles idling in my driveway.

What is the intended use? Keep in mind a lot of the new "smart" chargers won't do anything if connected to a very deeply discharged battery.

Personally I needed a charger/maintainer for when I store my vehicle so I chose the below:
https://www.amazon.com/CTEK-56-864-...25044988&sr=8-3&keywords=ctek+battery+charger

 

[KJQ6945]

What is the intended use? Keep in mind a lot of the new "smart" chargers won't do anything if connected to a very deeply discharged battery.

Personally I needed a charger/maintainer for when I store my vehicle so I chose the below:
https://www.amazon.com/CTEK-56-864-...25044988&sr=8-3&keywords=ctek+battery+charger

The use is just general fleet maintenance. I currently have 8, 12v batteries, and in recent memory have been around 15.

 

[Leadeye]

Still using the same Craftsman that I've had since the early 80s, those things are immortal.

 

[GLOCKMAN23C]

I'd go with something versatile and automatic. https://www.oreillyauto.com/detail/...acher-electric-battery-charger/dsr118/5768503

If you need a trickle charger get a battery doctor. I have 2 and use them regularly.

 

[KJQ6945]

Any advantage to the bigger wheeled units?

The smart charger was a pain in the ass. It wouldn't charge a dead battery. I would have to put the little trickle charger on a dead one before the "smart one" would recognize it.

Do they make make a charger that just does what it's told, or do they all "think" for themselves these days? Sometimes technology ain't all it's cracked up to be.

 

[churchmouse]

Any advantage to the bigger wheeled units?

The smart charger was a pain in the ass. It wouldn't charge a dead battery. I would have to put the little trickle charger on a dead one before the "smart one" would recognize it.

Do they make make a charger that just does what it's told, or do they all "think" for themselves these days? Sometimes technology ain't all it's cracked up to be.

I have a 2/6 amp small portable. I also have a larger wheeled unit. Both are pretty old. I have no idea whats even available these days but mine work.

 

[GLOCKMAN23C]

The wheeled units are usually more robust and take the beating of shop use. A manual charger with a timer may be what your looking for. Some can be part smart and manual. I'll look thru the tool book tomorrow morning and see what the latest offering are.

 

[Haven]

I have a Stanley that I use. So far it has been used with my wife's Kia (she left the lights on all day at work), and my Mustang (it sat all winter without being driven). I have the older version of https://www.menards.com/main/tools-...369-c-9100.htm?tid=6112841378109030446&ipos=8 Mine I think is the 800/400.

I need to get a battery tender for next winter for the Mustang.

 

[Expat]

Still using the same Craftsman that I've had since the early 80s, those things are immortal.

Ditto...

 

[Bennettjh]

We have two of the wheeled units at our shop. The old Associated is by far the best. I've used battery tenders before with mixed results. IMHO, can't beat a "big" charger.

 

[Butch627]

What is the intended use? Keep in mind a lot of the new "smart" chargers won't do anything if connected to a very deeply discharged battery.

Personally I needed a charger/maintainer for when I store my vehicle so I chose the below:
https://www.amazon.com/CTEK-56-864-...25044988&sr=8-3&keywords=ctek+battery+charger

I have a 30 year old wheeled unit, a 35 year old 1 amp charger, and a standard old school craftsman 10 amp. I just bought that ctek to try to salvage and maintain several sick batteries I have. I did quite a bit of online research before deciding on the ctek

 

[dprimm]

Still using the same Craftsman that I've had since the early 80s, those things are immortal.

until a 4wheel drive tractor runs overs it. Don't ask.

 

[ghitch75]

best chargrer i have ever owned....

https://shop.advanceautoparts.com/p...rge-ship-n-shore-charger-ssc-1500a/21280061-P

 

[Colt]

Still using the same Craftsman that I've had since the early 80s, those things are immortal.

This Sears Allstate battery charger has been in the family for 50+ years and still works and doesn't think.

 

[woowoo2]

Bulk, Absorb, and float.
You want one that does all three modes.
Something like this.
SC-1000A - Schumacher Electric

 

[russc2542]

What is the intended use? Keep in mind a lot of the new "smart" chargers won't do anything if connected to a very deeply discharged battery.

Personally I needed a charger/maintainer for when I store my vehicle so I chose the below:
https://www.amazon.com/CTEK-56-864-...25044988&sr=8-3&keywords=ctek+battery+charger

+1 for this guy. Will charge a (at least nearly) flat battery given enough time. Smart chargers have a place and that place is not fully charging a toast battery in 3hrs. If it's discharged to where a smart charger doesn't recognize it, you've already cut the battery's life and capacity by 1/2 or more.

the giant roll-around carts tend to be able to put out enough juice to start a car with a dead battery and dump a lot of juice through a heavily discharged battery quickly. think sledgehammer. not much use as a long term maintainer though.

 

[RobbyMaQ]

I have some schumacher charger that's all automatic... I can choose type of battery, and charging rate... it works.
I have a backup old charger/starter as a backup.