Automatic battery charger, force mode?

[Bert_]

I'm looking for a simple automatic battery charger. Will usually be charging 1-2 group 31's. I want automatic so it can be left unchecked for 24 hours or more. The current transformer charger is simple to operate and works great but somebody drives 6 miles later in the day to unplug it. I also want it able to charge a dead battery.

The noco genius 10 lists "force mode". But it sounds like kind of a pain to get to it. "Hold the button for 7 seconds, scroll through the list, blah, blah"

If I have a low battery I want to just connect the leads, plug it in and walk away. If something got left on and the battery is dead then I'm okay with pushing a button but I don't want to have to push the button more than once, maybe twice.

I know there are ways around getting one to charge a dead battery but I am not interested. This is for my dad. If you think I don't like technology, well...

The old chargers have switch, you have a 6v setting (never use), 12v 10A, 12V 30A, and "200A" boost.

Thanks

 

[N8sToolz]

I use the clore charger. I like it quite a bit. But yeah if it's a completely dead battery I need a dumb charger to get some voltage to it before the automatic charger will work. I've never been able to get it to force charge. If you have 8 or 9v though it works just fine.

 

[RTM]

The current transformer charger is simple to operate and works great but somebody drives 6 miles later in the day to unplug it. I

Get a timer? Buddy of mine did that with his Makita charger back in the early 90s, fearful of overcharging. Just get a high enough amp capacity timer.

 

[cliffcharb]

For home use I’ve been happy with this Schumacher model.
For extremely dead batteries I use engine start first, then switch to the auto charge.

At work we have an Associated model with a dead battery override switch.

Advance Auto Parts - Down for Maintenance

 

[Bert_]

Get a timer? Buddy of mine did that with his Makita charger back in the early 90s, fearful of overcharging. Just get a high enough amp capacity timer.

Have done it before, works ok. We have several timers, use them for block heaters in the winter.

 

[Casey66]

the good manual or force type chargers have timers on them. you can also put a timer on the 120v outlet and control that way. i have a timer I use just for that.

 

[WisJim]

I have a couple of the small low power battery maintainers, different brands, and one of them will charge a "dead" battery (it was about 3 volts on a 12 battery) and then maintain the charge after it is charged. I don't recall which of the 3 or 4 I have that did this and probably would have to try them all on a dead battery to find out. It was an inexpensive charger, under $20 I think, and I don't think this was an advertised function of the charger.

 

[sparky 1971]

This is probably way more charger than you need, want, or are looking for, but it's one of the several chargers I have and the only one of them that will charge a completely dead battery. It isn't auto off, but has a timer that will shut it off at around two hours max.

12/24V 200A ProSeries Manual Charger – Schumacher Electric

Explore the 12V/24V 200A ProSeries Charger at Schumacher Electric. Plus, shop jump starters, battery products, and EV chargers.

www.schumacherelectric.com

I intentionally bought the 12/24 volt version while I was waiting for a new 24 volt charger for my scissor lift to come in.

 

[ronkz650]

The Noco10 works fine. It's not difficult to enter force mode, just hold the mode button for 5 seconds.

 

[Bert_]

The Noco10 works fine. It's not difficult to enter force mode, just hold the mode button for 5 seconds.

As in no clicking through a menu?

Their website makes it sound more difficult.

 

[ronkz650]

As in no clicking through a menu?

Their website makes it sound more difficult

It's simple. The entire Noco charger is simple to use. I have all four, the 1-2-5-10 and they all work fabulous and easy. The great thing the 10 has is the power supply mode.

 

[WWheeler]

I use the clore charger. I like it quite a bit. But yeah if it's a completely dead battery I need a dumb charger to get some voltage to it before the automatic charger will work. I've never been able to get it to force charge. If you have 8 or 9v though it works just fine.

I've been super happy with my Clore PL2320 (also rebadged/sold as a MAC MT6340B and Bluepoint EEBC61220. I got it about a year and a half ago and it's been one of the better tool purchases I've ever made. I'd gotten so fed up with my Schumacher 'smart' chargers - two different ones that cost more than that Clore, that would routinely refuse to charge almost anything that wasn't already charged enough it could start the car anyway. The Clore has charged everything I've thrown at it, even those so dead they can't even light the interior dome light. I think I had one lead/acid battery so very dead it acted like it didn't want to charge but switching it to GEL or AGM mode first (I don't remember which) for just a bit worked, then I switched it to STD on 2amps and let it do it's thing overnight.

 

[GirlnAgarage]

The Noco10 works fine. It's not difficult to enter force mode, just hold the mode button for 5 seconds.

Same. I have the Noco 10, its not difficult to operate.