Big battery charger?

[DieselSaves]

For at least a dozen years or so we have been getting by with cheapish $100 battery chargers for everything from our ATVs to a T800 and 300 h.p. tractors. Now our chargers are both showing their years. One was rained on and now the gauge won't work and the other one charges intermittently.

I've been looking at an SO EEBC500 to upgrade to. Is there anything else in the same ballpark for less money?

We have maybe four grand worth of batteries we need to keep functional at one time. That's several sets of three batteries in machines, some groups of four, lots of doubles, and one 24v system. Almost all are lead acid batteries, no gel cell ones for now. We use AGM batteries in the ATVs generally. I'd like a good charger to do all these. Is this too much charger? Is there a better option, not just a cheaper option? Does anyone here use one on a regular basis?

 

[RedBKM]

I used to a have a collection of wheeled chargers and lunchbox size units scattered all over and it was a mess. I have one tractor that has the battery behind the grill (air cooled). When the loader is mounted you cant get anything hooked to it unless your arms are 6 feet long.

I considered solar chargers but my stuff is under roof. I decided to just buy a battery tender for each one. They make 24V and waterproof units. Just hardwire them and go.

The charger you mention is over $700. That buys a lot of tenders and no fiddling with cables.

 

[senlow]

Look at Associated. http://associatedequip.com/products/ They make great battery chargers. I've had mine for over 20 years.

 

[BDT/NWMN]

Look at Associated. http://associatedequip.com/products/ They make great battery chargers. I've had mine for over 20 years.

I have had my wheeled Snap-On for at least 30 years.. It was built by associated and painted in Snap-On colors.. Expensive, and a good, solid unit. Looks like the same wheeled charger that Associated sells today.

 

[Danglerb]

$35 tenders will do a better job in most cases vs an old big box of copper.

 

[scarney1988]

I'm gonna agree with the battery tender/maintainer being a good route. They adjust draw to the needs of the battery and ensure a fully charged battery every time you go to use a piece of equipment, assuming you remember to plug them in. I am not sure how you store your equipment, but I would imagine if moving one box around to all these systems is an option, than so is an extension cord to each.

Battery Tender has an option for each item you listed.

 

[BDT/NWMN]

I'm gonna agree with the battery tender/maintainer being a good route. They adjust draw to the needs of the battery and ensure a fully charged battery every time you go to use a piece of equipment, assuming you remember to plug them in. I am not sure how you store your equipment, but I would imagine if moving one box around to all these systems is an option, than so is an extension cord to each.

Battery Tender has an option for each item you listed.

I agree with the use of maintainers also, and use them myself...... One thing they will not do, is replace a big battery charger when a big battery charger is needed.... Problems such as a failed alternator or restricted fuel filters may force the shutdown of a unit... Getting a diesel restarted in subzero weather with batteries that were taxed during the initial start may definitely require a big charger with a boost mode.... The big charger and maintainer are both needed and appreciated members of my toolforce. :

 

[GTO]

Battery Tender is the way to go.
I've had the same battery in my collector car going on 9 years,maintained with a Battery Tender Jr.
Good luck

 

[firebox40dash5]

I used to a have a collection of wheeled chargers and lunchbox size units scattered all over and it was a mess. I have one tractor that has the battery behind the grill (air cooled). When the loader is mounted you cant get anything hooked to it unless your arms are 6 feet long.

Quick-connects are the way to go. I started out with a 175A Power Pole plug on my truck for my winch, even though it's permanently mounted. Then I figured what the hell, build a set of cables with one, never have to open the hood to jump start anything.

You can easily install a set in the cables from a big charger as well. Eliminates worrying about shorting the clamps hooking it up, getting them backwards, or the clamps hitting something while unattended.

 

[DieselSaves]

I agree with the use of maintainers also, and use them myself...... One thing they will not do, is replace a big battery charger when a big battery charger is needed.... Problems such as a failed alternator or restricted fuel filters may force the shutdown of a unit... Getting a diesel restarted in subzero weather with batteries that were taxed during the initial start may definitely require a big charger with a boost mode.... The big charger and maintainer are both needed and appreciated members of my toolforce. :

We have tenders for a few of the seasonal machines. These /\ problems are the very things I'm after a big charger for. I want one I can count on. I also like the idea of quick connects for some do the equipment. Battery access on some of them is a real PITA.

 

[DieselSaves]

Quick-connects are the way to go. I started out with a 175A Power Pole plug on my truck for my winch, even though it's permanently mounted. Then I figured what the hell, build a set of cables with one, never have to open the hood to jump start anything.

You can easily install a set in the cables from a big charger as well. Eliminates worrying about shorting the clamps hooking it up, getting them backwards, or the clamps hitting something while unattended.

I've always liked this idea for cables. I was previously too cheap to spring for the extra cable.

For too long I didn't pay enough attention to batteries in equipment, just replaced what wasn't working. We now have enough big systems that They need looked after properly. this past year we had some down times and some failures that highlighted how important proper battery health is and how important a big boost can be when you need it.

 

[stonesfan68]

Schumacher makes a 4/20/70-amp battery charger/power supply.

INC-700A

 

[DieselSaves]

Schumacher makes a 4/20/70-amp battery charger/power supply. I believe that you can get a Snap-On version as well, if you're into that kind of thing.

INC-700A

The biggest reason I go for SO is the small cap zero interest loan they have. I get one biggish ticket item a year now and pay it off for the rest of the year with no interest. If it's something they rebrand, I do like to go with the oem as it's usually cheaper.

 

[brit road garage]

The snap on one is so badass paid for itself already had it a couple years


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[BDT/NWMN]

We have tenders for a few of the seasonal machines. These /\ problems are the very things I'm after a big charger for. I want one I can count on. I also like the idea of quick connects for some do the equipment. Battery access on some of them is a real PITA.

Associated Model 6001A ($510) would be the close replacement for my 30+ year old Associated built "Snap-On" but mine works like a new one

Model 6002B may well fit your needs for 12 and 24v systems. Google the make and model for the price ($630)

These are old school "workhorse" chargers.. For the hi tech batteries that require a hi tech or "smart" charger, these may not be the favored unit..

My choice would be to get the old school "workhorse" charger with limited electronics to go wacky; and if needed, buy a small, portable "smart" charger for around $100.

Battery maintainers do not replace, nor are replaced by these chargers, to clarify that fact... I vote for maintainers on all batteries..


Remote battery posts can be found on a number of semi tractors... Kenworth offered a bracket mounted to the rear of the sleeper. This is the ideal setup, with those long cables...They also mounted remote battery posts on the front of the battery box.(very simple)... If they are not available from a salvage yard, they can be made quite easily.

On a side note, the last trip a ran in Montana with a Kenworth, the temp was -20F