Car Battery Charger

[rnpatrick]

Hi All,

Been lurking for a while and finally have come up with a question that I can't get an answer on via searching.

I need a car battery charger - are there any brands that aren't imported junk?

I was looking at a bench top charger (unless there is a real good reason to get a floor model, I don't want to give up floor space to something that will not get regular use).

Any suggestions or pointers to existing threads appreciated!

RP

 

[expfcwintergreen]

I saw a Schumacher that charged at 50, 10, or 2 for $65 plus tax at O'Reilly. I think you don't want to use it at 50 much from what I have read; 50 is for quick charge, 10 for regular, and 2 for trickle charge.

 

[wam2004]

Associated, Solar, and Christie are some of the manufactures that make made in USA models. Make sure you look at the description for the specific charger your interested in because not all of them are made in USA. Get ready for a little sticker shock though, a good made in usa bench charger from Associated is going to be north of $200.

 

[JimDon]

Try Rizk Industries. Just Google USA made battery chargers and it'll show up. I just ordered two of the benchtop ones at $109 each. They also have a boost function to start a car. I haven't received them yet, but when they show up, I'll let you know how they look and work.
Cheers,
JimDon
PS, in the meantime, check garage sales and craigslist. Small chargers can be had for $5 to $10 there. They'll charge your battery, may take a while for the smaller ones, but they'll get the job done. If and when they poop out, you're only out 10 bucks. I have an old Sears model I picked up at rummage for $5 and have used it for over 10 years with no complaints and it's still going strong. Lots of options on this topic. Good luck.

 

[rnpatrick]

Thanks for the info - this is exactly what I was looking for.

Especially grateful on the USA-made tips - I have read reviews on the Schumacher units and others have observed a definite decline since they moved manufacturing.

RP

 

[JASTECH]

Also, look for one with a battery maintainer option. It will keep your batteries alive many years and like new longer. I have a small benchtop charger that can also mount in engine compartment. I added the Temp. Probe and Ring connector with quick disconnect. It will monitor battery temp, aka freezing it will trickle the battery warm.

 

[defy]

I saw a Schumacher that charged at 50, 10, or 2 for $65 plus tax at O'Reilly. I think you don't want to use it at 50 much from what I have read; 50 is for quick charge, 10 for regular, and 2 for trickle charge.

A Schumacher? are they a bit old and not as good as they used to be?

Sorry couldn't help myself.

 

[G1GRANDEUR]

Ctek

 

[Danglerb]

Taking a guess we are talking assembled in the USA of foreign parts, or parts of unknown origin.

Older simple design chargers aren't too expensive used, otherwise I would find a good rated model on amazon etc.

My most recent are three of the $5 maintainers from HF.

 

[Gixerfixer]

Also, look for one with a battery maintainer option. It will keep your batteries alive many years and like new longer. I have a small benchtop charger that can also mount in engine compartment. I added the Temp. Probe and Ring connector with quick disconnect. It will monitor battery temp, aka freezing it will trickle the battery warm.

Had one of this kind for over 8 years now have never looked back, I used it on my bike also for 2 years, it keeps my car battery in tip top condition over the winter lay-up 3 months approx, that battery is now 6 years old already, it monitors the battery condition and only charges when necessary i even have the car alarm permanently armed while stored. Just don't expect a fast charge you can however bring a dead battery back from the brink with one of these unlike regular chargers

 

[tool_enthusiast]

Regardless of the brand, I'd want to make sure the battery charger I get has these features:

o fully automatic operation, so charging will switch to maintenance/float mode once the battery is fully charged.

o a booster amp option (like 50-60 amps). This is good in case your battery is dead in your garage and you need to give your car a quick jump.

o reverse polarity protection (in case you accidentally hook up the charger the wrong way you won't blow out your charger; this has happened to one of my chargers I loaned to a friend, who's not so car literate, if at all). Let's face it, there might come a day where one of your friends will ask to borrow your charger and you'll have no control over using it right.

The Schumacher I now own now has these features.

 

[plinker]

I saw a Schumacher that charged at 50, 10, or 2 for $65 plus tax at O'Reilly. I think you don't want to use it at 50 much from what I have read; 50 is for quick charge, 10 for regular, and 2 for trickle charge.

I have a similar one except it's relabeled Napa and It does deep cycle batteies in addition to starting. Plus some 6v batteries. I paid around 65$ on sale, IIRC. Fully automaic and has reverse hook-up protection.
Pretty nice charger overall. Hencho en Mexico.

 

[Danglerb]

Regardless of the brand, I'd want to make sure the battery charger I get has these features:

o fully automatic operation, so charging will switch to maintenance/float mode once the battery is fully charged.

o a booster amp option (like 50-60 amps). This is good in case your battery is dead in your garage and you need to give your car a quick jump.

o reverse polarity protection (in case you accidentally hook up the charger the wrong way you won't blow out your charger; this has happened to one of my chargers I loaned to a friend, who's not so car literate, if at all). Let's face it, there might come a day where one of your friends will ask to borrow your charger and you'll have no control over using it right.

The Schumacher I now own now has these features.

If its smart enough to protect against reverse polarity, it will be smart enough to refuse to charge a totally dead battery.

 

[vssjim]

USABATTERYCHARGERS.com is Rizk industries. web site. you can talk to the owners when you call they make them right there.

 

[daveblank]

Associated is the way to go. They are mostly USA made. They do have an offshore at a lower price point. With the Schumacher, you get what you pay for.

 

[KermitFrog]

I've had a Schumacher commercial for around 18 years. Abused it and it has held up great. Also have a small Schumacher for around 30 years that is beat to heck and still works great.

 

[onelochevy]

I have a Battery Tender on my project truck in the garage. Stays hooked up 24/7 and has for the past 3 years.

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00068XCQU/?tag=atomicindus08-20

 

[TMcCay]

It depends partly on the battery type that you are charging. AGM batteries need more amps to charge with. I have an older Century that I bought when I had to have one years ago. My bike battery is an Odyssey that I HAD to buy as I was on a trip when the battery went dead and the only dry battery that was available was the Odyssey so I picked up the matching charger later to keep the battery maintained. In my El Camino it came with an Optima. Again the Century would not charge deep enough. Did a little searching and came up with a new to me charger. It is called the C-TEK. Made in Sweden if I remember correctly. Let me tell you this charger is AWESOME. It will charge anything automotive and is worth every penny I paid for it, under $100.00. It has a brain in it and several modes for charging. Check into it.

 

[daveblank]

I've had a Schumacher commercial for around 18 years. Abused it and it has held up great. Also have a small Schumacher for around 30 years that is beat to heck and still works great.

Major difference in old & new.

 

[widerberg]

I use a CTEK battery conditioner. Charges, trickle charges, places a load on the battery to simulate use, etc. It couldn't save my Jag's battery, which was dead dead dead, but it reconditioned (and has kept charged) the battery in my old Beetle. That was a battery that constantly gave me trouble. Now it seems good as new.

My wife got me two CTEK Multi US 3300s for Christmas, and I'm going to be picking up a third as soon as I stop buying tools and car parts. They're not super expensive, but I read great things about them and so far they've worked as described.

 

[widerberg]

I should mention, too, that with the CTEK you can literally set it and forget it. Electronics in the charger monitors battery state and adjusts charging/load as needed. I use my Beetle about once a week, once every couple of weeks. She's plugged into the charger 24-7. No need to disconnect it. I just pull off the clips when it's time to drive, and then hook the battery back up to the CTEK when it's time for the car to go back to sleep for a week or two.

 

[trboxman]

I use a BatteryTender Plus for maintaining batteries that don't get much use. It's worked wonderfully for me for years...no setup required.

 

[Jnoone43]

How about a decent 200 amp 24v ? Got my eyes on this one ....

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000KPU8AM/?tag=atomicindus08-20