Looking for suggestions. I'm wanting to get a better battery charger, something that will work with AGM's, lead acids and also automatic. I work on ground equipment at an airport so there's everything from group 31's on down. Currently have an old traditional charger that has a timer and a couple different current settings and that's it, I now need something newer to handle the different types of batteries that we come across. Thanks!
Looking for a good all around battery charger for shop use
- Thread starter J808
- Start date
swsman
Well-known member
I have Schumacher SC1400.
So far so good, been pretty pleased with it.
Jump start function comes in handy.
Tractor Supply had it on sale and I picked it up in May '21 for $99 plus tax.
So far so good, been pretty pleased with it.
Jump start function comes in handy.
Tractor Supply had it on sale and I picked it up in May '21 for $99 plus tax.
rust in the eye
Well-known member
Some of the "smart" ones will refuse to charge a really low battery.
Whatever you buy get one capable of jump starting
Whatever you buy get one capable of jump starting
driftpin
Well-known member
Charge N Start
www.batterytender.com
Charge N Start combines 60 years of charging experience with the convenience of portable power. Whether you're maintaining your battery while storing your vehicle or need an emergency jump, Charge N Start keeps you ready for the road.
I have one of their older models for starting and charging the 3 types of batteries and it has done well for me.
Copy that, I can still use the "dumb" charger if it's that low. I also have a start-all jump box that is awesome.
gleman
Well-known member
I have an older model of this one.
Same specs.. 6v/12v Lead/AGM/Deep.
No real problems after 5 years.
Same specs.. 6v/12v Lead/AGM/Deep.
No real problems after 5 years.
Ive had the PL2320 for about 8 years, and use it constantly.
cloreautomotive.com
Clore Automotive – PRO-LOGIX Portable Chargers for Techs and Shops
PRO-LOGIX offers a wide range of portable chargers, including everything you need to charge 6V, 12V and 24V batteries and systems, with 24/7/365 capability for the busiest pro shops.
cloreautomotive.com
Has worked well.
I've got an SE-82-6 Schumacher 6/2 Amp 12/6 Volt Dual Rate Manual Automotive Battery Charger.
It's worked well for me, nothing high end or fancy.......but really....it all depends upon one's needs on what type, etc. of charger that is needed.
It's worked well for me, nothing high end or fancy.......but really....it all depends upon one's needs on what type, etc. of charger that is needed.
IndyGarage
Well-known member
For everyday use I prefer the roll around ones that provide 2 amp 10 amp 40 amp and 200 amp and have a timer on them. I have one at home and another at the shop. About a year ago my 35 year old one at home started to give me some trouble so I went to replace it.
All they have now are "smart" chargers - that have all kinds of safety nanny systems built in. I don't want that. Schumacher still makes one with the mechanical timer on it and no electronics - I bought one of those from Amazon and I'm real happy with that. They also have a craftsman version - looks like the same unit. My old one is just like the Associated one that is $397 on Amazon. I'll have to figure out what's wrong with it - it was overheating and shutting off.
Here's the Schumacher from Amazon 200 amp starter/charger
The rollarounds seem to work better than the small lunchbox ones.
All they have now are "smart" chargers - that have all kinds of safety nanny systems built in. I don't want that. Schumacher still makes one with the mechanical timer on it and no electronics - I bought one of those from Amazon and I'm real happy with that. They also have a craftsman version - looks like the same unit. My old one is just like the Associated one that is $397 on Amazon. I'll have to figure out what's wrong with it - it was overheating and shutting off.
Here's the Schumacher from Amazon 200 amp starter/charger
The rollarounds seem to work better than the small lunchbox ones.
Leaflessshadetree
Well-known member
I like my Pro-logix charger. It does 2, 10 or 20 amps on various battery types and also has a boost feature for jump starting.
I like that it has a % of charge monitor while charging and the ability to override when charging a "dead" battery.
I like that it has a % of charge monitor while charging and the ability to override when charging a "dead" battery.
Buckaroo5
Well-known member
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No start button. It just outputs power, doesn't matter if it's a dead battery, frozen, whatever.
It does taper down amperage as the battery voltage comes up to the dial in amount.
Does 24v too which is nice.
Keep your old, large dumb charger because it will take a dead battery from bricked to chargeable in a hurry. I keep one of those and a bunch of 6/12 and 12/24 "smart" chargers/maintainers (if they were so gdm smart, they would do all 3 voltages from one device - and yes i NEED 6 volt stuff for manlift and forklift battery packs) in both shops. I use 12VDC power on most of my overhead cranes and fabric door openers and little 1A $20 maintainers do a fantastic job of keeping them fully charged for those -40 days when I really need top performance. Things that are critical and seldom used really need to be tied to a maintainer - and doing that makes not only performance better but service life as well.
whateg01
Well-known member
I like my noco charger for general use but keep the dumb one around for those situations described above
Yes, I plan on keeping my current one plus whatever I end up buying for the newer stuff. Can't get by with just one anymore
whateg01
Well-known member
Nice thing about the newer tech is a little bitty charger can do the work of what used to be the size of a lunch box.
$35 amazon cheapo has been doing very well for me. 10amps, many battery types, and repair mode.
I have skipped the jump-start feature because it drives up price, and don't behave properly when trying to jump diesels with glow-plugs or grid heaters. I'm holding out for a commercial 50yo shop charger on wheels than can do this kind of thing properly.
mreisner
Well-known member
Cool, I'll check it out too. We have a golf cart with 8V batteries in it.
mreisner
Well-known member
A lot of older tractors that had starting problems with 6 volt batteries work well on 8 volts that's what I usually use it for
Lassen Forge
Well-known member
I have an old school manual (with timer) Century 6/12/24 volt on wheels I've had for years - it was one of the few things electrical I brought over, and use it with my power converter. I've cooked my share of "automatic" chargers, and won't have one taking up space just to let me down. Plus this one will jump a car if needed - and it draws less than 15 amps (which is my converter's limit) to do what it needs to do.
Wasn't cheap, but man, it has saved me more often than not.
Wasn't cheap, but man, it has saved me more often than not.
I've been really happy with mine as well, and use pretty much all the features except for the 6V. I use it as a charger for a mix of AGM & FLA batteries from 300-850CCA, I use it in power supply mode when doing diagnostics, and got to see first hand last week that it can charge a stone dead battery (one I remembered how to put it in override mode).