Any Good Recommendations For Battery Chargers?

[Doc995]

My Sears battery charger finally gave up the ghost. I'm looking for a decent replacement. Must be:
12V charger
Have jump start feature
Would like a digital display, but that part isn't too important.
Anyone have a good *reliable* charger? My Sears was anything but, that's why I'll buy anything but a Sears unit.

 

[bgarrett]

I recommend estate sales. I buy every one I find under $12

 

[Bighead38]

I have the same one as this but without the pretty paint. Works awesome.

Not sure about new ones.

 

[garandman]

We used to buy Clore. But heard good things about the NOCO Genius Chargers, which support Li and AGM batteries, recondition mode, etc. Purchased two, Very pleased.

https://no.co/brands/noco-genius

https://no.co/g15000

Far faster and smarter than my older chargers. For example, the resting voltage for AGM is higher than flooded batteries, and the optimal charge profile is different.

 

[bob from indiana]

I bet we could figure out what's wrong with the old one. Do you have a multi meter? It might not take much to get it back in action.

 

[ovilla]

CTEK

They sell a lot of different models. I highly recommend the one that has a battery “Reconditioner” option. This has been a lifesaver as it has brought back life to many of my batteries.

 

[hardalada]

CTEK

They sell a lot of different models. I highly recommend the one that had a battery “Reconditioner” option. This has been a lifesaver as it has brought back life to many of my batteries.

+1

After you have resurrected a $600 BMW 900CCA AGM battery written off as "dead" it all starts to make sense....

 

[HOTFR8]

Deltrans is another good unit. Sadly I am no longer impressed by C-Tek given they are now made in China although they would be my second choice.

With so many brands on the market now you do need to watch where they are made.

 

[TMcCay]

I have used and really like my Ctek alot!

 

[kctyphoon]

I have a cheap Stanley I think, that does charging and battery "conditioning", but can't remember about a jump feature. I THINK DeWalt released, or is releasing a new line of chargers. I'd take a look.

Are you looking for something small, or a wheeled unit? That would probably help with suggestions. One thing I like about what I have is the float feature. So itll stop charging and monitor the battery on it's own, just like the battery tender for my motorcycle. That's one big advantage over my old style charger.

 

[woody6904]

The other day when one of the tractors wouldn't start from sitting, was thinking about looking into a multiple battery charger, and this thread pops up. Anybody use one of these?

https://no.co/g4

 

[jgromada]

I have the NOCO Genius G3500 and it does a fantastic job and is incredibly small. Highly recommended and there is a battery restoration mode as well.
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B004LWVEKS/?tag=atomicindus08-20

I had that for a year and later purchased a GB40 jump pack from NOCO. Also very small. Only had to use that once and that was because the car sat waaay too long and had an old battery.https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B015TKUPIC/?tag=atomicindus08-20

 

[gatlibs]

When my Sears charger bites it, then I'm upgrading to Rizk, https://www.usabatterychargers.com. I found it when searching for made in U.S. options. It was the only option that I found.

 

[M6erfan]

When my Sears charger bites it, then I'm upgrading to Rizk, https://www.usabatterychargers.com. I found it when searching for made in U.S. options. It was the only option that I found.

Do a search here. There is a fairly recent thread where the OP got a new Risk that was pretty poor QC.

 

[Doc995]

I bet we could figure out what's wrong with the old one. Do you have a multi meter? It might not take much to get it back in action.

I do have a multi meter...I wouldn't know where to even start on this unit. Honestly, it's always been a bit wonky-there is a small green LED on it to tell if your battery is accepting a charge, but that has never been reliable. If this unit worked properly, it would be the perfect charger-but it doesn't. It probably is still worth taking a look though as I HATE just throwing things in the trash without giving them a proper 'autopsy'.

 

[pstemari]

It could be as simple as a terminal lug that's slipped off a switch. Had that happen once on a brand-new charger.

Sent from my Pixel XL using Tapatalk

 

[gatlibs]

Do a search here. There is a fairly recent thread where the OP got a new Risk that was pretty poor QC.

I searched the first 3 pages of posts by Doc995. I didn't find that thread that he started. I don't know how you knew that he previously started a thread about receiving a bad Risk, but I feel like that would have been pertinent information for him to include. I wouldn't have mentioned the option had I known that he had a bad experience.

 

[driftpin]

I have a Deltran and am happy w/it. It has a 75 amp booster feature, and is good for traditional lead-acid, AGM, and Li- batteries.

https://www.autozone.com/test-scan-...ender-75-amp-boost-battery-charger/240184_0_0 price: $100

The Battery Tender® power plus™ 75 A battery charger is remotely controlled through the cloud via wi-fi connected Internet. Using the battery care pp, you may both monitor and control the BT power plus™ 75 A from any digital device: phone, pad, tablet, running either is or android operating system.
Cloud control from remote mobile digital devices via wifi connected Internet
Operates with multiple battery sizes (Automotive, power sports vehicles: motorcycles, ATVs, and marine) and chemistries (lead acid: flooded, sealed maintenance free: either AGM or gel; and lithium (Lifelong4))
Multiple functions: 4 step charging with 12 V 1.25 A output, boost at 20 A, engine start assist at 75 A, & 13 VDC 1 Amp battery replacement mode to enable electronic functions while the vehicle battery is disconnected.
Spark, short circuit, and reverse polarity protection

Product Details

Part Number: 022-0221-WH
Weight: 14.00lbs
Category: Digital

12 Volt

AC Line Cord Length (ft): 6
Alternator Check: No
Automatic Shut-Off: Yes
Battery Clamp Amperage Rating: 25
Cable Length: 6
Carrying Handle: Yes
Charger Battery Compatibility: 12 Volt
Charger Output Amperage: 1.25
Charger Starting Assist Amperage: 75
Color / Finish: Green / Black / Matte
Display Format: Digital and Analog
Engine Starting Capability: Yes
Float Mode: Yes
High Frequency Charge: No
Housing Material: Plastic
Input Amperage: 0.3
Input Voltage: 120
Low AC Input Compensation: No
Maximum Charging Current: 1.25
Pulse Conditioning (Desulphation): No
Reverse Polarity Protection: Yes
Short Circuit Protection: Yes
Thermal Overload Protection: Yes

 

[HOTFR8]

My Sears battery charger finally gave up the ghost. I'm looking for a decent replacement. Must be:
12V charger
Have jump start feature
Would like a digital display, but that part isn't too important.
Anyone have a good *reliable* charger? My Sears was anything but, that's why I'll buy anything but a Sears unit.

I do have a multi meter...I wouldn't know where to even start on this unit. Honestly, it's always been a bit wonky-there is a small green LED on it to tell if your battery is accepting a charge, but that has never been reliable. If this unit worked properly, it would be the perfect charger-but it doesn't. It probably is still worth taking a look though as I HATE just throwing things in the trash without giving them a proper 'autopsy'.

I should have read your first post over. Check if it has a fuse.

 

[M6erfan]

I searched the first 3 pages of posts by Doc995. I didn't find that thread that he started. I don't know how you knew that he previously started a thread about receiving a bad Risk, but I feel like that would have been pertinent information for him to include. I wouldn't have mentioned the option had I known that he had a bad experience.

Not the OP of this thread, the OP of the other thread. The OP of that thread received a Rizk charger that had, apparently, really poor wiring/electronics inside when he opened it up. I can't find the thread but IIRC the OP said he was going to contact Rizk about a return.

 

[bob from indiana]

Take some pictures of the charger and let's see if we can figure anything out. There is not to much in one. I am guessing it is an older unit with a timer dial and a charge rate selector. For a first test unplug the charger, turn it's timer and charge selector on and set your meter to OHMS and put it on the power UNPLUGGED power cord. This will test the transformer winding, cord, switches and fuses/ breakers. Tell us what the number is on the meter.

 

[doctordirt]

I bought this as one of my chargers Schumacher INC-406A 6 Amp Automatic Microprocessor Charger. Currently $323 on Amazon but I was able to pick it up for $182. Nice as it does multiple batteries, and I believe that it has desulfate cycle built in.

 

[mautotech]

Not the OP of this thread, the OP of the other thread. The OP of that thread received a Rizk charger that had, apparently, really poor wiring/electronics inside when he opened it up. I can't find the thread but IIRC the OP said he was going to contact Rizk about a return.

Last year I was looking for a non-smart battery charger and found references to the Rizk chargers.
They are local to me so I went to their "factory" to buy one. I met the owner, and the man who winds the transformers showed me around.
The chargers are very basic inside, made with common components, and everything U.S. sourced, if possible.
I bought a 52PY charger and have used it extensively. It works great, but the fit and finish is horrible, lol. After having seen how they're made and what's inside of them I can say that if it works when you buy it, it will work till the end of time.
Bottom line is, if you're looking for a battery charger that looks good, don't buy a Rizk. I you're looking for a non-smart, old-school battery charger that works great and will last forever, the Rizk is the right one.
I would not hesitate to buy another one.

 

[M6erfan]

Last year I was looking for a non-smart battery charger and found references to the Rizk chargers.
They are local to me so I went to their "factory" to buy one. I met the owner, and the man who winds the transformers showed me around.
The chargers are very basic inside, made with common components, and everything U.S. sourced, if possible.
I bought a 52PY charger and have used it extensively. It works great, but the fit and finish is horrible, lol. After having seen how they're made and what's inside of them I can say that if it works when you buy it, it will work till the end of time.
Bottom line is, if you're looking for a battery charger that looks good, don't buy a Rizk. I you're looking for a non-smart, old-school battery charger that works great and will last forever, the Rizk is the right one.
I would not hesitate to buy another one.

Good to know

 

[hans109h]

I used to swear by Schumacher however I will never buy one again based on the customer service I received. I called to report that my fully automatic charger was either failing to update the charge percent or was failing to stop charging the battery when full. I was told that it wasn't possible for anything to be wrong with my unit, so I asked to speak to a supervisor. He took my info and told me Bob would give me a call. It's been about a year now and Bob still hasn't called.

The vibe I got is that the guy knew exactly what I was talking about and there is a reason this product was discontinued, but nothing the company is willing to do about it.

Now I'm satisfied with this: https://m.harborfreight.com/4-amp-f...ntrolled-battery-chargermaintainer-63350.html

Hans

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