Battery charger

[Mildot762]

Hi,

I have an old Exide 12 volt 10/2/60 amp charger/starter/maintainer.

Wanting to buy a new smaller modern charger for AGM batteries to keep in my roll around.

I have a battery jump pack I keep in my vehicle but still want a separate charger.

I have been looking at the NOCO Genius 5 and 10 models.

For general use in case I would ever need to charge the battery on my Silverado would one be better that the other? Or should I look at a different brand? Want to keep it under $100.

I haven't used the charger in over 20 years but still like having one around.

 

[dcg9381]

The only problem with modern chargers is that with "many" of them (at least all of mine) they will not begin charge on a "100% dead" battery. Dunno if this is a safety issue or what, but often I have to drag out <really old charger> to get <new charger> to give it a try on a dead battery.

I like NOCO as a brand for lithium jump chargers, but don't know enough about how they handle "dead" battery... IT is nice to have settings for different battery types.

 

[Rusted Nut]

I've had a NOCO 10 for several years. Works very well!

 

[fourjeepin]

I've had a NOCO 10 for several years. Works very well!

Even for the really dead ones? I have their battery tender and the jump pack but have been thinking of adding the Genius 10.

 

[nadogail]

I have a "Dumb Charger" that I sometimes use to put just enough juice into a battery so that the "Smart Charger" will begin to charge the battery.

 

[Vercingetorix]

NOCO has a manual override mode for dead batteries. Lately however I have really liking Victron chargers. Using Bluetooth you can read the state of charge etc. and also vary the charging parameters. Victron is the go to in the RV world so they know their stuff. It also works on dead batteries.

Blue Smart IP65 Charger | Victron Energy

The Blue Smart IP65 Charger is the new professional battery charger with built-in bluetooth. Find a Victron Energy dealer near you.

www.victronenergy.com

 

[G1GRANDEUR]

I am very happy with ctek 4.3 charger.

 

[ipgenie]

NOCO has a manual override mode for dead batteries. Lately however I have really liking Victron chargers. Using Bluetooth you can read the state of charge etc. and also vary the charging parameters. Victron is the go to in the RV world so they know their stuff. It also works on dead batteries.

Blue Smart IP65 Charger | Victron Energy

The Blue Smart IP65 Charger is the new professional battery charger with built-in bluetooth. Find a Victron Energy dealer near you.

www.victronenergy.com

My 2003 Silverado isn't driven as much as it used to be and the batteries will run down so I permanently installed a Victron 12A charger and leave it plugged in when it sits. That has worked very well to keep the batteries happy.

 

[tak1313]

+1 for Victron. I can hook up my riding mower in the yard and monitor charging from my bedroom

 

[Steve_P]

PF just tested this. Noco works on a dead battery.

 

[dcg9381]

+1 for Victron.

Victron is the shizzle. All of my battery projects will be 100% Victron from here on out.

 

[niget2002]

The only problem with modern chargers is that with "many" of them (at least all of mine) they will not begin charge on a "100% dead" battery. Dunno if this is a safety issue or what, but often I have to drag out <really old charger> to get <new charger> to give it a try on a dead battery.

I like NOCO as a brand for lithium jump chargers, but don't know enough about how they handle "dead" battery... IT is nice to have settings for different battery types.

The one time I've had to do this so far, I used the jump back on 'boost' mode and it put just enough charge in it for the NOCO battery charger to read it and start charging. Don't hook both to the battery at the same time, but have the charger ready to be hooked up as soon as you take the jump pack off.

I also have an old dumb charger that I can shove electrons into a battery with to get it up high enough for the smart charger to take over.

 

[PelicanPines]

I'm A big NOCO fan. Totally dead... Yea... Its common sense you need to jump that battery first. Then use the tender to finish it off. I actually have a NOCO 5 mounted behind the seat on my lawn tractor. With a NOCO male recessed plug. I simply park the tractor... Plug it into 120v socket.

 

[Bert_]

Why does no one make a simple automatic battery charger with a temporary override? I would really love to buy it.

Normal operation would be connect to batter and plug it in, bam, charging! If it doesn't recognize the battery then simply push an override button once and it would just be a "dumb" charger for 20 minutes.

 

[N8sToolz]

I have the clore automatic charger which is great for trickle charging batteries. Especially overnight so that it's ready for the morning.

I also use the topdon tornado charger. It's got a bunch of features like power supply for programming functions. It will also bring back some damaged batteries. Lots of options.

Definitely keep some dumb chargers around to jumpstart the newer chargers though. I have a bluepoint roller that's probably been broken more than it's been working.

 

[zimman]

I've told my customers for years that if you need a charger, you probably need a battery. LOL
I have a "Battery Tender" that is awesome. Tends two batteries at once and will extend the life of a battery (a good battery) for several years.
Remember when you buy a battery, you're buying a warranty. Not a battery. LOL
Zim

 

[ronkz650]

I have both the Noco5 and Noco10. They both work great and can be hooked to a completely dead battery, but you do have to hold a button for 5 seconds to start the charge on a really dead battery which is no problem, but you have to remember to do it. I like the 10 for the fact it has the power supply mode that I use quite often.

 

[zimman]

Almost every battery in the Country is made by Johnson Controls. Best warranty for a battery is three years at O'Reilly's where I just retired from. Anything beyond three years is a gamble. Leaving a family member stranded because their battery was six years old is irresponsible in my opinion. I've had to help hundreds of women and children with dead batteries.
Zim

 

[Mildot762]

I just picked up a NOCO Genius10. I will probably never use it but I like having it just in case.

I have used my GOOLOO GT4000S jump starter a few times and it would be the first thing I would grab if the truck wouldn't start.

My Silverado is a 2018 with 125,000 miles.

I just had my 4th battery put in. It has also had [1] alternator replaced.

The first [2] replacement batteries were from the dealership. The new battery I just had installed is a DEKA AGM. Hopefully it is a better battery than the GM ones.

I asked the dealership about how long a battery should last and they said 2-3 years.

 

[Bert_]

2-3 years? Holy short battery life. I've got a battery that's 10 years old and another that's 8. Both still start fine. I'd be looking for problems if I didn't get 5-6

 

[Mildot762]

I am 65 and this is the first vehicle I have ever had to replace batteries on.

Usually traded vehicles every 3-4 years and the factory batteries always held up that long.

The dealership did ask me if I set with the truck idling very much. He said that was hard on the battery, I had never heard that before.

 

[RTM]

I asked the dealership about how long a battery should last and they said 2-3 years

2-3 years? Holy short battery life. I've got a battery that's 10 years old and another that's 8. Both still start fine. I'd be looking for problems if I didn't get 5-6

I think that is really locally driven, places with extreme temperatures get much shorter battery life than those of us that live in very temperate climates.

I've gotten 6 years out of several batteries in the past. But like others I traded in a lot of vehicles much faster than currently. My current truck is 19 years old and I think it's on its third battery now. I've had my car 13 years now and I think it's on its third also but it came with a teeny tiny battery I upgraded the size last time.

 

[seber]

Living in Colorado, I routinely got eight to ten years out of batteries. Winters were not arctic but not like there was no winter. The one thing that kills batteries is short trips without recharging.

 

[Mildot762]

I live in Indiana and the truck is kept in a garage.

I think the OEM GM batteries I had were just not that great.

 

[mike93lx]

Almost every battery in the Country is made by Johnson Controls

East Penn and enersys are both big players in the US, too.

Johnson Controls is now Clarios

 

[lolaetype]

I have been looking at the NOCO Genius 5 and 10 models.

I bought and use a Noco Genius 1 to use mainly as a battery maintainer. I like the quality and how the thing functions. The 5 and 10 you are looking at are similar except for the amps.

 

[Rusted Nut]

I am 65 and this is the first vehicle I have ever had to replace batteries on.

Usually traded vehicles every 3-4 years and the factory batteries always held up that long.

The dealership did ask me if I set with the truck idling very much. He said that was hard on the battery, I had never heard that before.

Newer vehicle? Many newer vehicles have smart charging/ variable output alternators, which don’t charge much while idling; saves fuel, less emissions….; but aren’t great for battery longevity.

 

[Mildot762]

2018

Good to know.

 

[zimman]

East Penn and enersys are both big players in the US, too.

Johnson Controls is now Clarios

This was news to me and I appreciate your telling me. LOL
I've been retired a year or so from O'Reilly's so catching up is, well, boring.
LMAO
Walmart's Everstart batteries are primarily made by Clarios (formerly Johnson Controls), while AutoZone's Duralast and Valuecraft batteries are also produced by Clarios
Thanks
Zim

 

[Steve_P]

2-3 years? Holy short battery life. I've got a battery that's 10 years old and another that's 8. Both still start fine. I'd be looking for problems if I didn't get 5-6

It depends on where you live and the vehicle. Heat in somewhere like Phoenix kills batteries quickly. Some vehicles with turbochargers also help to kill batteries early due to high under hood temps. I don't live in Phoenix, so I don't think I've ever had a battery not last 5 years with a normally aspirated vehicle. My prior turbocharged car would kill them in 4-5 years, like clockwork, due to under hood temps. Current turbocharged car has a large vent "hole" in the hood over the exhaust manifold, and I get 5+ years no problem. My ex's Honda Civic batteries would last 7+ years in the same climate.