whitetrash1
Well-known member
Can anyone make a recommendation on a good battery charger? The last couple I’ve had seem to bite the bullet after a year or two of light use.
Automotive battery chargers
- Thread starter whitetrash1
- Start date
Fedwrench
ALLIANCE MEMBER
what he said, Associated Equipment if you want a charger to pass down to to your grand kids
HenryAZ
MEMBER EMERITUS
Associated FTW. Their Intellimatic series are 3 stage chargers (4 stage in the case of flooded batteries) that drop to float when done, and you can leave the battery connected indefinitely. I have the 9425 bench model, and it has proved to be a workhorse and all I need. Made in the USA strong.
theoldwizard1
Well-known member
I another thread there was a discussion about "Buy American". While the Associated 9425 appears to be well built and can handle many different battery chemistry, the $400 price tag is simply out of the reach of most DIYers ! While it says it has a "dead battery override" It doesn't have a "battery start boost". Interesting, the manual refers to an "override" button, but none of the images show one !
I'll stick with my cheapo Chinese Schumacher charger.
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sberry
Banned
Lucid Moments
Well-known member
But how about something with a realistic price tag if you don't have children to have grandchildren to leave it to?
I am sure they are fantastic quality but stuff like that is just unrealistic for many people.
At $400, I'd rather just buy a new one for $15 every 2 years. It would take 26 years and they should not break so often. I have some old battery charger that is from the 80s, I think. Works great, just had to replace the clamps for a few bucks
Caterpillar Cowboy
Well-known member
I spent a pretty penny on an Associated charger and haven't been too impressed. The thing will kick out on high charge or jump mode. I'm not sure if it's defective or made that way, but dropping 6-700 on the pass down to your grandkids charger that starts acting up in a couple of years was slightly disappointing.
I own two chargers (if I can find the older one). I have a 3A smart charger thing. It was perhaps $20 and will slowly charge a car battery. I also have an old style 3/6 amp or something like that. Nothing fancy dumb charger. Had it for perhaps 10-15 years.
My question is, how are you breaking them that quickly?\
My question is, how are you breaking them that quickly?\
matt_i
Well-known member
When I made the mental jump that the need for big battery chargers was killing the batteries themselves (iow letting them go "dead"), I went on the path of more battery minders (tenders). Unless driving it regularly, I keep the minder on the battery or remove it entirely and mind it inside the shop. Also purchased various dedicated extension cords from Amazon. The side benefit is I don't spend any time messing with things that won't start because the batteries are all topped off and ready to go, its just a few minutes connecting cords which is a small price to pay.
That has worked well, I had to replace a forklift battery last year, 15yo since the last one I bought and so I considered it successful.
That said there are times when the system can fail, so I hook it up, jump-start style to another running vehicle, but just let it charge at idle. 15-20 minutes and usually good to go.
That has worked well, I had to replace a forklift battery last year, 15yo since the last one I bought and so I considered it successful.
That said there are times when the system can fail, so I hook it up, jump-start style to another running vehicle, but just let it charge at idle. 15-20 minutes and usually good to go.
Solar is the best of the made in China stuff but that's the issue. Service life on Chinese made electronic components is measured in years at best. The OP asked for something most likely to last a decade.
The economics are to pay a lot once or a little every few years. I usually ask for a budget before I give suggestions but in this case the ask was for one that will last. Associated is pretty much the only one I wouldn't expect to fail in less than 5 years.
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Did you call them?
VolvoRyan
Well-known member
Battery Tender works fine. I've had several in constant use for a couple years. Get a brainless one for quick charging if you forget to drive the car. 
-Ryan
-Ryan
HenryAZ
MEMBER EMERITUS
I had the same concern before I bought my 9425. I called Associated and they assured me the picture on their website (which shows the override button) is correct. For some strange reason, the picture shown on virtually every vendor that sells the 9425 has an older picture.
$400 is a bit high, but if you shop around you can do much better. I got mine from Tool Discounter, @$295, plus shipping bringing it up a bit over $300. They have them drop shipped directly from Associated.
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Buckaroo5
Well-known member
I have had the Proligix PL2320 for 3 years. Well thought of in the auto repair biz and works great for me. Very affordable with a lot of capabilities - Amazon has it for $84....yes, it does have the ability to initiate charging on depleted batteries....
joe_padavano
Well-known member
^^^THIS!
I have one of those "smart" chargers. It's not so smart. Seems that pretty much every time I try to use it, the FAULT light comes on and the thing turns itself off. I have a stupid charger that I've had since the 1970s. No electronics, just a transformer and an ammeter. Works every time. Charges AGM batteries as well as lead-acid. I've also had to replace the clamps a couple of times.
BolognaBlake
Well-known member
- Joined
- Apr 30, 2016
- Messages
- 196
^^^^ That's a great, compact charger. It can act as a power supply too. I think most of the tool trucks sell their own version as well.
kendogg
Well-known member
I'm gonna hop in this thread too. I've got a Schumacher that barely lasted a year and a half.
I'm more concerned with warranty I think. Can anybody tell me which eons have the best warranty? I have a sneaking suspicion that no matter what, I'm gonna need to swap it out every couple of years.
I'm more concerned with warranty I think. Can anybody tell me which eons have the best warranty? I have a sneaking suspicion that no matter what, I'm gonna need to swap it out every couple of years.
If you're looking at a larger model with boost/start mode and have a diesel... ensure it will behave properly.
Some of the newer, larger ones I have used (various brands), automatically kick off that mode once the glowplug/pre-heat cycle ends, and you cannot override it. Makes that feature basically useless for starting diesels.
Some of the newer, larger ones I have used (various brands), automatically kick off that mode once the glowplug/pre-heat cycle ends, and you cannot override it. Makes that feature basically useless for starting diesels.
Solar (rebranded MAC and probably others) only has a 2 year warranty. They are probably the best of the imports. Associated is 2/5 and they repair out of warranty for a fee, unlike the imports.
As mentioned above the PL2320 is a good machine for $75. But expect it to fail in 3-5 years. That doesn’t mean it won’t last 10. MTBF will always have outliers. But when it fails you either try DIY component level repair or toss it and buy again.
4xdog
Well-known member
I've had a Schumacher Pro Series 9275A-PE charger since 2001, and it's worked perfectly about once a month or once a quarter since then. It's got lots of options -- automatic/manual, 6/12V, 2/12A charge/75A start -- in a compact plastic case with built-in handle. COO Mexico (back then). It came from Costco when the 35 year old K-mart charger our family used forever died, although I've not seen one quite like this there since then.
The closest one in their catalog today might be the Schumacher DSR118. Listed at about $210. No idea how bad or good their stuff is these days.
The closest one in their catalog today might be the Schumacher DSR118. Listed at about $210. No idea how bad or good their stuff is these days.
Ive got a few battery cbargers. But my favorite is my made in tbe USA Rizk charger. Its a dumb charger that supports 650 peak boost amps.
The fit and finish is horrible but it works awesome. I would definitely buy another if this one dies.
The fit and finish is horrible but it works awesome. I would definitely buy another if this one dies.
I have green Batttery Tender. Got it for like $15. It's at least 15 years old now.
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B000CITK8S/?tag=atomicindus08-20
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B000CITK8S/?tag=atomicindus08-20
I've got a Schumacher that's probably 10 years old. Works fine
Please go turn it over for us and see where it was manufactured. This is what is so sad when companies value engineer their products into garbage. People who bought the old versions can't understand what people are complaining about and continue to swear by them.
I have the HF $29.99 one and works fine, I did have to fix the automatic reset fuse once.. $5 item, still one of my go to... the other one is the sears diehard one, don't know who they OEM from still works fine over 20 years old. all transformer base.
I have one of those larger manual chargers with timer (the ones on wheels), it is always a pain to use.. without baby sitting it, kills batteries. there are scenarios do call for it, but most of the time it is sitting collecting dust
My favorite brand one that is inverter base was crapped on by SBD / Dewalt and then sold... if I were to buy it again, probably the NOCO brand or something with a maintainer / desulfator technology...
****as for battery maintainer... i have to Schumacher brand from Walmart that is $20 and it have been working flawlessly keeping my two battery charged for past 10 years...
^^^
**** update cross out this one.
I have one of those larger manual chargers with timer (the ones on wheels), it is always a pain to use.. without baby sitting it, kills batteries. there are scenarios do call for it, but most of the time it is sitting collecting dust
My favorite brand one that is inverter base was crapped on by SBD / Dewalt and then sold... if I were to buy it again, probably the NOCO brand or something with a maintainer / desulfator technology...
****as for battery maintainer... i have to Schumacher brand from Walmart that is $20 and it have been working flawlessly keeping my two battery charged for past 10 years...
^^^
**** update cross out this one.
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nvm costco one was battery tender,....
***** the Schumacher one I have still works fine.... as battery maintainer , keeping my Honda battery topped since 2009 or 2010.... I did have to add distill water. and I have two.
(killed them, so cross them out, maybe it was just aging as well)
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anndel
Well-known member
Clore Automotive PL2320
If I had to buy a charger today, it would be HF, just maybe not the cheapest one, whatever is like $25 with a coupon. Too many of today's products are from old school companies that don't fully understand how to make a quality PC style switch mode power supply, which are light, efficient, and need not cost an arm and leg.
Most of the time I am going to use a trickle charger or a boost pack anyway.
Most of the time I am going to use a trickle charger or a boost pack anyway.
I’ve had the Optima Digital 400 that worked pretty good for about 4 years or so. Last time I used it the case half’s separated apart. Still works but rather disappointed it fell apart the way it did. You would think they would actually screw it together rather than glue it for the price. Anyway, I recently picked up a the Clore Automotive PL2320 and am looking forward to trying it out. AvE gave it his stamp of approval so hopefully it live up to the good praise.
RTM
Well-known member
I’ve got a craftsman 608.718351 battery charger, probably 20+ years old, maybe even 80s vintage. It’s got 2a, 10a, and 50a start settings. It gets used less than once a month anymore thankfully, a bit more now that I’m stuck at home and driving much less.
Has also done lots of service in rusty tool electrolysis.
It’s old enough that no parts are available except screws, so at least 3 yrs old.
Per the OEM secret decoder ring, made by Associated Engineering.
Has also done lots of service in rusty tool electrolysis.
It’s old enough that no parts are available except screws, so at least 3 yrs old.
Per the OEM secret decoder ring, made by Associated Engineering.
dubdoc
Well-known member
Carguy99
Well-known member
We just got a few of these at work. They have a restore function. Seems to work ok.
they seem to work well. We also run 2 carts with deep cycle batteries with heavy duty jumper cables permanently attached with a cut off terminal. These are used all the time multiple times a day. We are alway moving dead cars.
they seem to work well. We also run 2 carts with deep cycle batteries with heavy duty jumper cables permanently attached with a cut off terminal. These are used all the time multiple times a day. We are alway moving dead cars.
yup NOCO, CTEK brand seems to be favorite here , there is another brand, mentioned, selection which one dependents on your battery needs. from Desulfator, to having the capability of power supply mode, or smart maintainer mode, maybe AH range covered by their "smart charging profile". Not sure whats at walmart.
Me personally, I got the not so smart old HF 2/10/50 manual, old craftsman and a old diehard and now just using this Battery tender from Costco (was cheaper at costco), works fine. and 2 walmart maintainer schnider or something brand $20 ones not my favorite, it boiled the battery after a while....
Me personally, I got the not so smart old HF 2/10/50 manual, old craftsman and a old diehard and now just using this Battery tender from Costco (was cheaper at costco), works fine. and 2 walmart maintainer schnider or something brand $20 ones not my favorite, it boiled the battery after a while....
luvtheheat
Well-known member
Dakotadadv8
Well-known member
- Joined
- May 30, 2021
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Black and Decker from Walmart in 2008 for $50 still working.