Battery Charger Recommendations

[DonPowers]

Asked the question on a different battery charger threat but wasn't getting much traction, one response.

Looking for new all around wheeled charger. I have numerous batteries which have different services.

An AGM Starting battery on an excavator which may only get 50 hours a year use in my sandbox.

Two deep cycles which are use on tilt trailers and need to be charged using a charger. The little charger that I use now keeps tripping on thermal overload when the batteries are low.

One deep cycle battery used to run a diesel fuel pump and needs to be charged.

One vehicle sits for the winter so it requires charging every now and again.

One marine starting battery which sees very little use these days and requires occasional charging.

Three vehicle batteries which get regular use so I don't work about them.

One generator starting battery which sees little use and needs occasional charging.

Tractor starting battery which gets regular use so I don't worry about it.

Four small batteries for ATVs, motorcycle and snowmobile.


Currently have one small automatic charger, which trips and two 1 - 2 amp tenders.

Which features do you guys recommend, automatic, manual, high frequency, will do everything except clean the outer shell. (Please refrain from using a bunch of deep geeky technobabble).

What are your brand preferences?


Is this a decent charger from Home Depot?
http://www.homedepot.com/p/CAT-40-A...PID=6147012&SID=iewo8i0kfc0025g3001rw&cj=true

Would like to keep it under $200.

 

[dlcwent]

Bad link Don. But maybe a Napa homeowner series? Maybe a NBC 851250?

 

[DonPowers]

Bad link Don. But maybe a Napa homeowner series? Maybe a NBC 851250?

Re copied the link Dan

http://www.homedepot.com/p/CAT-40-A...PID=6147012&SID=iewo8i0kfc0025g3001rw&cj=true

 

[TomB19]

You need a battery conditioner.

C-Tek or Optima.

 

[mobiledynamics]

My vote is for Ctek.

With these smart chargers, sometimes you need to ~defeat-outsmart~ the smart chargers if the V is too low by just putting it into supply mode and bringing the V back up to 10.5V+ if it's that discharged......well, if it's that discharged, you may be breathing on limited life of the battery itself.

I have three Cteks. 4 amp, 7 amp and 25 amp. The 4 amp also has a mode that charges at .5 amp. Pretty much covers me for the similar ranges in your post. Quick connect leads on most of the large/small engine stuff - makes charing easy peasy

What deep cycle batteries are you using. Some, like to be hit with a high current charge if it's being deep cycled during bulk cycle. We're talking 40 amps, etc.

 

[MrGiggles]

I have a MAC MT6340 that has separate modes for each battery type. I don't know if you can get them anywhere but the tool truck, although I got mine at a pawn shop.

There is also the Shumacher SP6, although it has limited charging amperage and is still pretty new, I haven't heard any feedback about it yet.

 

[Ponchoguy]

I have a model #200.71465 Diehard that I really like. Schumacher Electric made it for Sears. They still make the current Sears models, but they don't look as robust as mine. Mine charges everything I've thrown at it.

The engine start feature is nice and I've used it several times.

 

[Vinko]

I have a model #200.71465 Diehard that I really like. Schumacher Electric made it for Sears. They still make the current Sears models, but they don't look as robust as mine. Mine charges everything I've thrown at it.

The engine start feature is nice and I've used it several times.

I've got the Diehard (apparently made by Schumacher) -- though I've a lesser model than the one you reference above. Bought it maybe 5-6 years ago and it's been fine for jumping cars and trucks.

I think I waited for it to go on sale. Got it for $125 or so.

Mostly manual -- no computer stuff on it.

 

[toplessHO]

I bought several of the B&D marine chargers at big lots on close out
5 yr warranty and had start,40A,down to trickle and maintain,also has desulphier mode.

these will do gel,wet,AGM.
not wheeled but portable and newest model has the 80amp mode.
I dont recommend going over the 20 amp setting for anything unless its a panic start needed

My wheeled 200A is a Schumacher that will do wet and has a timer.
got it at sams for $100

 

[Ponchoguy]

I've got the Diehard (apparently made by Schumacher) -- though I've a lesser model than the one you reference above. Bought it maybe 5-6 years ago and it's been fine for jumping cars and trucks.

I think I waited for it to go on sale. Got it for $125 or so.

Mostly manual -- no computer stuff on it.

When I contacted Schumacher, they told me mine is fine for AGM batteries as it has an automatic setting/is microprocessor controlled. They said that was key with the AGM batteries and I had to do it on automatic setting. I don't have any AGM batteries in my fleet yet.

 

[BonzoHansen]

I use a battery tender, works great. but i do not have an AGM so I am not 100% sure if that is good for an AGM.

 

[toplessHO]

I use a battery tender, works great. but i do not have an AGM so I am not 100% sure if that is good for an AGM.

no they have a model made for AGM
battery tender isnt made for charging,just topping off

 

[mobiledynamics]

NOT all AGM's are the same....
Most of the AGM charge profile is 14.7

The Johnson Controls (Exide, Inter, etc) and the East Penns - they want a 14.5V on their AGM

 

[DC73]

Not cheap but well worth it according to my research. I plan to buy the portable version of either the CH110 or the H624. If you need 24 volt in addition to 6 and 12, consider the H624.

http://usabatterychargers.com/Roll_Around_Chargers.htm


DC

 

[Vinko]

Not cheap but well worth it according to my research. I plan to buy the portable version of either the CH110 or the H624. If you need 24 volt in addition to 6 and 12, consider the H624.

http://usabatterychargers.com/Roll_Around_Chargers.htm


DC

There was a thread about these chargers from RizkNational Industries several years back. They looked good.

Hell, the basic roll around charger for $187 is pretty reasonable for USA-made I'd guess. Not a heck of a lot more than the Die Hard but that $400 model looks ****.

That said, I wonder how much of it is made in USA? Cables and sheet metal and steel parts I can see. But what about the wheels and the circuit boards/electrical components? I'm curious.

 

[theoldwizard1]

Schumacher. Probably need more than one. Larger deep cycle batteries may take more than 24 hours to completely charger.

Key things to look for "automatic" or "microprocessor controlled".

For your small batteries, remove them in the off season and place them on a bench/shelf. Make certain they are clean and the fluid level is proper before you start charging them. The best thing you can do for batteries that are going to be in storage for months is use one battery maintainer per battery (or a maintainer that has separate outputs) AND connect that charger to a cheap lamp timer that only allows the charger to run a couple of hours per day.

 

[jvitez]

I too have multiple different batteries. The reality is that one charger will not be enough for your needs.

+1 on the Rizk charger. I bought one a few years ago and love it, very well built. I bought this one:

http://usabatterychargers.com/126ST.htm

It's manual but with a 60 amp starter setting. I was tired of my battery booster always being dead when I need to boost a battery in winter, so now I use this charger. If a discharged battery's voltage is very low, most automatic chargers will activate a protection circuit and shut off which doesn't happen with a manual charger. So for a really discharged battery you need a manual charger with a big power supply. This Rizk model's instructions state to to switch it to the 60 amp setting for 20 seconds then the 12 volt setting for 20 minutes, and then try and start the vehicle. It works.

I have a few other chargers from an old style automatic to small Battery Minders and Battery Tenders. The small desulfating chargers are attached to my lawn tractor and snowmobile all winter. The Rizk manual charger is used as a booster, or for a deeply discharged battery on the bench, or to charge my Dodge Ram with 2x12V batteries in parallel. It takes a long time to charge two truck batteries so the 20 amp capacity of the Rizk comes in handy, After the amperage draw drops down to less than 5 I replace the manual charger for my old automatic one so I don't overcharge.

Is your excavator 12V or 24V? For the 4 small batteries you mention, are they left in the equipment all the time or do you remove them for off season charging? Here's what I would do:

1. Get the Rizk manual starter/charger. It'll start a dead car, and rapidly boost a deeply discharged battery.

If you remove the small batteries for off season maintenance, I'd get this Battery Minder, it's the updated version of what I use for this same application, and can charge up to 6 batteries in parallel:

http://www.batteryminders.com/12-volt-desulfating-battery-charger-worldwide-use

2. If you keep the small batteries mounted in the equipment, then you need multiple small desulfating type chargers which are designed to be connected 24/7. No need for any timers.

http://www.batteryminders.com/12-volt-maintenance-charger-desfulator-1500

or

http://www.batterytender.com/Motorcycle/Battery-Tender-Junior-12V-0-75A.html

Buy one for each vehicle and leave them plugged in all the time.

For your marine and generator batteries you can periodically top them up with your current automatic charger, unless by "which trips" you mean it's kacked. If so, just throw it out and buy any Schumacher 10 amp automatic charger. If it trips because the batteries are deeply discharged, then you need a manual charger.

You can charge a car sized battery with a small Battery Tender or Battery Minder, even the .75 amp one. Their computerized circuitry doesn't equate with the amperage of old style chargers. I've charged a car battery with my Battery Tender. It took a while but it'll do it unless deeply discharged.

And don't waste your money on wheeled charger. Look inside any of them: you're paying a lot of money for a manly-looking package, but inside is a whole pile of air!

 

[jvitez]

Or if my post above is too complicated or just too expensive, save the money you were planning to spend on a wheeled charger and buy one Rizk automatic charger. If you do need a manual charger for deeply discharged batteries then buy whatever cheap Schumacher you can find locally in addition. Pay for a quality automatic charger if it'll be your go-to unit. I'm sure my Rizk charger will last my lifetime.

http://usabatterychargers.com/126AC.htm

But I highly recommend having at least one desulfating type charger. They really do work as advertised.

 

[redmondjp]

Schumacher. Probably need more than one. Larger deep cycle batteries may take more than 24 hours to completely charger.

Key things to look for "automatic" or "microprocessor controlled".

For your small batteries, remove them in the off season and place them on a bench/shelf. Make certain they are clean and the fluid level is proper before you start charging them. The best thing you can do for batteries that are going to be in storage for months is use one battery maintainer per battery (or a maintainer that has separate outputs) AND connect that charger to a cheap lamp timer that only allows the charger to run a couple of hours per day.

With a battery maintainer, there is absolutely no need to connect it to a lamp timer. They turn themselves on and off automatically. That's why it's called a maintainer. I have maintainers made by Schumacher and Battery Tender on several of my vehicles.

 

[kblee27]

I charge batteries almost everyday.

I had smart chargers, ctek last 2 yr, xtreme last 1.5 yr, before going dead.
Century charger is perhaps the worse. It put out 16.5V and shuts itself down, luckily my battery survived.
Now I have samlex america charger, it's one of the better ones and still working today.

However, if your batteries are sulfated due to short-distance driving, these smart/auto chargers won't desulfate it. You need a adjustable DC power supply set at a higher voltage to breakdown the sulfates.

I use cheap gopher/gophert PRC adjustable power supply to do this. It has a volt and amp display, so I can see how long to charge it, by monitoring the current drawn and also using a hydrometer at the same time.

 

[DonPowers]

My vote is for Ctek.

With these smart chargers, sometimes you need to ~defeat-outsmart~ the smart chargers if the V is too low by just putting it into supply mode and bringing the V back up to 10.5V+ if it's that discharged......well, if it's that discharged, you may be breathing on limited life of the battery itself.

I have three Cteks. 4 amp, 7 amp and 25 amp. The 4 amp also has a mode that charges at .5 amp. Pretty much covers me for the similar ranges in your post. Quick connect leads on most of the large/small engine stuff - makes charing easy peasy

What deep cycle batteries are you using. Some, like to be hit with a high current charge if it's being deep cycled during bulk cycle. We're talking 40 amps, etc.

Thanks for the input mobile

My deck-over tilt trailer has the original Interstate Marine RV battery, which is a SRM 24 with 550 CCA and 690 MCA.

The dump trailer has Sportsman Marine RV Dual Purpose with 810 CA and 100 AH

The Ctech chargers look to be similar to NOCO chargers, recommended by jkwilson on the Battery Chargers - Tech Talk 101 thread.

The people at High-Tech Battery Solutions recommended this charger. When I went to the NOCO site, I couldn't find the G1500 in their lineup so it may have been discontinued.

http://www.techbatterysolutions.com/NOCO-Genius-G15000-Battery-Charger-p/c204.htm

 

[DonPowers]

Not cheap but well worth it according to my research. I plan to buy the portable version of either the CH110 or the H624. If you need 24 volt in addition to 6 and 12, consider the H624.

http://usabatterychargers.com/Roll_Around_Chargers.htm


DC

WOW that looks like a nice rig, I like all the analog stuff. Can relate to real switches and gauges better than the soft switch stuff. Must be getting old.

 

[DonPowers]

I too have multiple different batteries. The reality is that one charger will not be enough for your needs.

+1 on the Rizk charger. I bought one a few years ago and love it, very well built. I bought this one:

http://usabatterychargers.com/126ST.htm

It's manual but with a 60 amp starter setting. I was tired of my battery booster always being dead when I need to boost a battery in winter, so now I use this charger. If a discharged battery's voltage is very low, most automatic chargers will activate a protection circuit and shut off which doesn't happen with a manual charger. So for a really discharged battery you need a manual charger with a big power supply. This Rizk model's instructions state to to switch it to the 60 amp setting for 20 seconds then the 12 volt setting for 20 minutes, and then try and start the vehicle. It works.

I have a few other chargers from an old style automatic to small Battery Minders and Battery Tenders. The small desulfating chargers are attached to my lawn tractor and snowmobile all winter. The Rizk manual charger is used as a booster, or for a deeply discharged battery on the bench, or to charge my Dodge Ram with 2x12V batteries in parallel. It takes a long time to charge two truck batteries so the 20 amp capacity of the Rizk comes in handy, After the amperage draw drops down to less than 5 I replace the manual charger for my old automatic one so I don't overcharge.

Is your excavator 12V or 24V? For the 4 small batteries you mention, are they left in the equipment all the time or do you remove them for off season charging? Here's what I would do:

1. Get the Rizk manual starter/charger. It'll start a dead car, and rapidly boost a deeply discharged battery.

If you remove the small batteries for off season maintenance, I'd get this Battery Minder, it's the updated version of what I use for this same application, and can charge up to 6 batteries in parallel:

http://www.batteryminders.com/12-volt-desulfating-battery-charger-worldwide-use

2. If you keep the small batteries mounted in the equipment, then you need multiple small desulfating type chargers which are designed to be connected 24/7. No need for any timers.

http://www.batteryminders.com/12-volt-maintenance-charger-desfulator-1500

or

http://www.batterytender.com/Motorcycle/Battery-Tender-Junior-12V-0-75A.html

Buy one for each vehicle and leave them plugged in all the time.

For your marine and generator batteries you can periodically top them up with your current automatic charger, unless by "which trips" you mean it's kacked. If so, just throw it out and buy any Schumacher 10 amp automatic charger. If it trips because the batteries are deeply discharged, then you need a manual charger.

You can charge a car sized battery with a small Battery Tender or Battery Minder, even the .75 amp one. Their computerized circuitry doesn't equate with the amperage of old style chargers. I've charged a car battery with my Battery Tender. It took a while but it'll do it unless deeply discharged.

And don't waste your money on wheeled charger. Look inside any of them: you're paying a lot of money for a manly-looking package, but inside is a whole pile of air!

I'm beginning to think you are right that one magic box may not do the trick.

Thanks for the input.

 

[DonPowers]

Or if my post above is too complicated or just too expensive, save the money you were planning to spend on a wheeled charger and buy one Rizk automatic charger. If you do need a manual charger for deeply discharged batteries then buy whatever cheap Schumacher you can find locally in addition. Pay for a quality automatic charger if it'll be your go-to unit. I'm sure my Rizk charger will last my lifetime.

http://usabatterychargers.com/126AC.htm

But I highly recommend having at least one desulfating type charger. They really do work as advertised.

Not at all jvitez.

My comment about technobabble was more bait than anything else, figuring that some people just couldn't resist going in full geek mode.

I'm a techie nerd myself and typically try to keep things down to earth.

I did look at the Rizk units and like them. May just end up with one of those and something like the Ctech or NOCO. That way I would have both power and brains.

 

[Ponchoguy]

There was a thread about these chargers from RizkNational Industries several years back. They looked good.

Hell, the basic roll around charger for $187 is pretty reasonable for USA-made I'd guess. Not a heck of a lot more than the Die Hard but that $400 model looks ****.

That said, I wonder how much of it is made in USA? Cables and sheet metal and steel parts I can see. But what about the wheels and the circuit boards/electrical components? I'm curious.

All "200" prefix Sears product is made by Schumacher. Previously, Sears/Diehard units were '"608" prefix Associated Equpiment product.

The newer "200" units are made in Mexico.

 

[DonPowers]

I too have multiple different batteries. The reality is that one charger will not be enough for your needs.

+1 on the Rizk charger. I bought one a few years ago and love it, very well built. I bought this one:

http://usabatterychargers.com/126ST.htm

It's manual but with a 60 amp starter setting. I was tired of my battery booster always being dead when I need to boost a battery in winter, so now I use this charger. If a discharged battery's voltage is very low, most automatic chargers will activate a protection circuit and shut off which doesn't happen with a manual charger. So for a really discharged battery you need a manual charger with a big power supply. This Rizk model's instructions state to to switch it to the 60 amp setting for 20 seconds then the 12 volt setting for 20 minutes, and then try and start the vehicle. It works.

I have a few other chargers from an old style automatic to small Battery Minders and Battery Tenders. The small desulfating chargers are attached to my lawn tractor and snowmobile all winter. The Rizk manual charger is used as a booster, or for a deeply discharged battery on the bench, or to charge my Dodge Ram with 2x12V batteries in parallel. It takes a long time to charge two truck batteries so the 20 amp capacity of the Rizk comes in handy, After the amperage draw drops down to less than 5 I replace the manual charger for my old automatic one so I don't overcharge.

Is your excavator 12V or 24V? For the 4 small batteries you mention, are they left in the equipment all the time or do you remove them for off season charging? Here's what I would do:

1. Get the Rizk manual starter/charger. It'll start a dead car, and rapidly boost a deeply discharged battery.

If you remove the small batteries for off season maintenance, I'd get this Battery Minder, it's the updated version of what I use for this same application, and can charge up to 6 batteries in parallel:

http://www.batteryminders.com/12-volt-desulfating-battery-charger-worldwide-use

2. If you keep the small batteries mounted in the equipment, then you need multiple small desulfating type chargers which are designed to be connected 24/7. No need for any timers.

http://www.batteryminders.com/12-volt-maintenance-charger-desfulator-1500

or

http://www.batterytender.com/Motorcycle/Battery-Tender-Junior-12V-0-75A.html

Buy one for each vehicle and leave them plugged in all the time.

For your marine and generator batteries you can periodically top them up with your current automatic charger, unless by "which trips" you mean it's kacked. If so, just throw it out and buy any Schumacher 10 amp automatic charger. If it trips because the batteries are deeply discharged, then you need a manual charger.

You can charge a car sized battery with a small Battery Tender or Battery Minder, even the .75 amp one. Their computerized circuitry doesn't equate with the amperage of old style chargers. I've charged a car battery with my Battery Tender. It took a while but it'll do it unless deeply discharged.

And don't waste your money on wheeled charger. Look inside any of them: you're paying a lot of money for a manly-looking package, but inside is a whole pile of air!

Forgot to comment on the excavator battery. Its a 12 volt Optima Red Top with 1,000 CA and 800 CCA. Had two red tops in my last diesel truck, no problems starting in cold weather, should have taken them out when I sold the truck.

 

[toplessHO]

I charge batteries almost everyday.

I had smart chargers, ctek last 2 yr, xtreme last 1.5 yr, before going dead.
Century charger is perhaps the worse. It put out 16.5V and shuts itself down, luckily my battery survived.
Now I have samlex america charger, it's one of the better ones and still working today.

However, if your batteries are sulfated due to short-distance driving, these smart/auto chargers won't desulfate it. You need a adjustable DC power supply set at a higher voltage to breakdown the sulfates.

I use cheap gopher/gophert PRC adjustable power supply to do this. It has a volt and amp display, so I can see how long to charge it, by monitoring the current drawn and also using a hydrometer at the same time.

lots of info out there on how to desulphate
high voltage isnt the preferred method but what breaks up the sulphation is a very high resonant frequency that actually fractures the deposits
then they are dissolved and put back in solution.
the B&D Vector ones I mentioned will do all types of batteries

 

[Finky198]

+1 for the ctek many years of use in the shop

 

[Vinko]

That was a great series of posts Jvitez!

PS. to no one in particular: I'm still curious what parts are actually made in the USA on this charger? Both in materials and manufacturing and assembly. More for curiosity than anything.

 

[Hpozzuoli]

I have an older Snap On 550 with its own cart. Charger on bottom and battery tester up top. Charges all different kinds of batteries. It's a fast charger which is great. Almost as quick as a jump pack if the battery isn't too bad.

 

[kblee27]

lots of info out there on how to desulphate
high voltage isnt the preferred method but what breaks up the sulphation is a very high resonant frequency that actually fractures the deposits
then they are dissolved and put back in solution.
the B&D Vector ones I mentioned will do all types of batteries

My Ctek and Xtreme boast of pulsing charge and desulphation.
But they didn't do much for badly sulphated batteries.

With the DC power supply set at equalizing voltage, it melts the sulphates, although it takes many hours. This is confirmed by taking hydrometer readings.

 

[mobiledynamics]

Skip the Noco. I bought one just to see...

IMO, the Cteks are built better.
Noco look flashier, but that's just about it.

Cteks have a better charging algorithim.
Their absorption phase is more thorough than the Nocos.

Cteks publishes what each button-mode *charge profile* does in every step.
Noco does not. You call them and it's like pulling teeth. What's there to hide....at the end of the day, there are just GloRiFied 3 step chargers.

Ctek, anyday, everyday

 

[Bigblue&Goldie]

Ctek is currently charging a battery in my garage. I wish I would've bought one years ago.

 

[mobiledynamics]

Dude. Forgot one MAJOR detail

Cteks WILL charge a battery as low as 2V.
Nocos WILL NOT charge a battery till it reads like 11V
Not that a battery will have full life if discharged that deep..

Lotsa of Noco fanbois. Maybe bandwagon after bandwagon
If you spend the time comparing and breaking it down, CTEK hands down

 

[jvitez]

That was a great series of posts Jvitez!

PS. to no one in particular: I'm still curious what parts are actually made in the USA on this charger? Both in materials and manufacturing and assembly. More for curiosity than anything.

Thanks Vinko, much appreciated.

I can't comment on the amount of made-in-USA components to the Rizk charger, but interestingly enough there's a gent at work with the same last name, same spelling, and he's a Coptic Christian Egyptian. I doubt anything in the charger is made in Egypt though.

I hope DonPowers chimes in at some point and lets us know what he ended up getting. I'm curious!

 

[DonPowers]

Thanks Vinko, much appreciated.

I can't comment on the amount of made-in-USA components to the Rizk charger, but interestingly enough there's a gent at work with the same last name, same spelling, and he's a Coptic Christian Egyptian. I doubt anything in the charger is made in Egypt though.

I hope DonPowers chimes in at some point and lets us know what he ended up getting. I'm curious!

As mentioned earlier looks like I'm going to need two, one with power and the other with brains.

For brains, I'm leaning towards the Ctech Multi US 7002.
http://smartercharger.com/products/batterychargers/ctek-multi-us-7002/

For power, the Rizk CH110
http://usabatterychargers.com/CH110.htm

I'll let you know what I end up with. Will most likely get the smart one first.

 

[rodm1]

Much like a few here I'm at the point that I feel a battery BatteryMINDer is needed for the seldom used stuff. Then a good fast 15 to 60amp charger for the dead stuff that needed to be put in service in a few hours and one that has a 400amp booster to start stuff now. usabatterychargers is my first pick for a good heavy charger.

I think it's a good idea to carry a battery booster or charge in case you get stuck someplace. I like the charger option do to cold here and most places have electric available. I think you made a good choice.

 

[DonPowers]

Ended up ordering the Ctech 7002 and the Rizk CH110 this morning.

The Ctech will be shipped out this morning and Rizk needs to be built so I'll probably see it in a couple weeks.

Will do a followup after I check them out.

 

[DonPowers]

Picked up the Ctech at the Post Office this morning. Its currently hooked up to my standby generator battery.

 

[DonPowers]

The Rizk CH 110 showed up last week. Think I'm now covered with regard to chargers. Also have a solar one thats not shown.

The Rizk kicks ***, brings my big trailer batteries up in no time, used to take all day with the 10 amp Nautilus.