Which battery charger?

[toolfreak]

I am wanting to buy a 6/12 volt battery charger for my garage and need some opinions. What brand should I go with and what type of charger?

[74NovaSS]

If your looking for just a charger and not a booster, these (http://www.batterytender.com/) work great. I have the Tender Plus. I wouldn't buy anything else after using this charger.

Chris

[Rickster]

If you can settle for a used one I see them quite often at garage sales for very cheap. I bought a Craftsman like new in the original box with the original price tag of $60 still on it and I got it for $5. People just don't want them any more. So I would recommend checking out the garage and yard sales. I've even seen the large gas station ones with wheels.

[PAToyota]

The Battery Tender products are definitely quality. I have one of the little trickle charger units for my motorcycle, but am thinking about replacing the Century charger I'm currently using with one of their chargers.

[Down Under Bloke]

Can’t imagine why you would sell your battery charger at a garage sale, if I did it would be the day before my next flat battery. The question is what are you going to use it for maintenance (trickle) or I need to get to work ASAP. My charger has a dual setting (6amp /12amp for memory) very useful.

[toolfreak]

I am looking for a charger that has multiple settings and thinking about getting one that has a engine start setting.

[Jay H 237]

I have a Dayton (ordered through Grainger) that has 6v, two different amperage 12v settings and 'engine start'.

I also have the Battery Tender Junior for my '68 Mustang during the winter here in CT. I just hook it up and put the battery on a float charge from time to time.

[eschoendorff]

I am looking for a charger that has multiple settings and thinking about getting one that has a engine start setting.
I have a cheap HF one that actually works pretty well as a battery charger. But the "engine starting" option is only like 50 amps, which is basically useless.

[Canadian Charlie]

I have a Deca battery charger that will charge either 12 or 24 volt batteries at a slow or fast rate

[PAToyota]

Actually, a question on the Battery Tenders... On their site they have four-bank models, but I'm seeing similar two-bank models on eBay. I think they are just the old model before BT made them look like V-twin engines, but cannot confirm that. Anyone know?

[W-Cummins]

I have 3 of the battery tenders, 2 +'s and one power tender + They work great. I had not seen that LAME piece of crap HD motor looking thing before. What a waste of plastic..... I would get on of the older models if I was looking for one.

William....

[chevy302dz]

Here's the one I picked up not to long ago, it's worked really well so far.
http://www.automotivepartsnetwork.com/store/pc/viewPrd.asp?idcategory=162&idproduct=2757

[Vinko]

Here's the one I picked up not to long ago, it's worked really well so far.
http://www.automotivepartsnetwork.com/store/pc/viewPrd.asp?idcategory=162&idproduct=2757

I've been looking through the archives for a battery charger. One of the service station types, to tend to some forklifts, two trucks, a couple of machines in the shop.

I was thinking of this one from Sears:

http://www.sears.com/shc/s/p_10153_12605_02871230000P


But the one cited in the message above looks pretty nice too; though expensive!

Any other suggestions?


edit: this one looks good too though. With the added bonus of tester and compressor:

http://www.sears.com/shc/s/p_10153_12605_02871233000P


ooops, looks like the reviews of the model with compressor all claim that this model is piss-poor!

[a390st]

I have used the Century models over the years. I have one of the small Century boxes at home, and we had a couple of rolling ones at my old job. Don't buy the cheapie HF type if you want to use it for long. We had a new one given to us, and it didn't last two uses. It was just like Rice Krispies. Snap, crackle, pop. Well, add a little smoke at the end, too. I'm not saying the Century's are great, but that they are better than the HF and not that expensive.

[tatra]

depends on the type of battery you have.............evidently a gel type battery requires 100 amps to charge properly..............don't remember the exact specs but it was an eye opener............my self i have a cheap 6/12 v. charger i throw on a battery that is fairly new and kept warm during the winter................this works for boosting as is much more portable and can be the replacement battery if needed................also can be used for portable power with an inverter.............this battery by the way is a gel type and i have never had a prob charging it but don't know if it ever gets to full potential.............

[Major Ramifications]

I have found that some of the electronic ones will not charge a battery that is flat dead. For that I have to bring out the old transformer and rectifier type.

[Vinko]

I saw some of those bad boys that Grainger has. About $250 or so. A bit too much for me. I'd love an S-O charger, but I reckon they're rebadged, no?