HF Float Charger any good?

[netbrad]

I need something for my Snapper lawnmower battery. This was $7.99 at HF today but I don't know if it will work, kill my battery or start a fire so I thought I'd ask the collective:

http://www.harborfreight.com/automatic-battery-float-charger-42292.html

I did look at the pass/fail thread but could only find one positive review. Since all the Sears stuff is Chinesium anyway it doesn't seem to matter where I buy one.

 

[G1GRANDEUR]

CTEK

http://smartercharger.com/

 

[trboxman]

I don't buy electrical things from HF.

 

[rlitman]

I've used a few of them. Yes, they do work. I have several batteries that have lasted a number of years on those. That's what maintains the battery on my generator (for one thing).
I had one at work, keeping a spare UPS battery maintained, and after 6 months, it was tested along with the batteries stored in the UPS using a very expensive and sophisticated Alber Cellcorder, and the battery had aged exactly as well as the ones kept on float within the UPS. That's good enough for me.

No, they cannot charge a battery that isn't already charged.

One word of warning. If you connect it to the battery, but don't plug it in, you'll notice that the LED is still on. If it isn't plugged in, it will drain the battery until its dead.

Oh, and they go on sale as low as $5 a few times a year.

 

[jasonreck71]

I have used that very charger on my jeep for the last 3 years...no issues at all and always starts up, which wasn't the case before I started using it

 

[Displaced Hokie]

I use one on my motorcycle and it works great. Won't recharge a battery, as has been stated, but seems to keep it hot once charged. Great for $5 on sale.

 

[SweetD]

If you even have to ask, just go get a Schumacher at Wally World. They may be 3x the price of the HF one, but it's still short money, and they work.

I trickle charge my boat batteries in my garage all winter on two Schumachers, and they have not failed me for 6 years and counting.

Good luck!

Dave

 

[KermitFrog]

Just an opinion and while I love HF, I won't buy anything electrical there. At least electric stuff that I leave plugged in unattended.

I got a Battery Tender though I do have one of the HF ones to use as a paper weight. (my dad bought it before learning my rule)

 

[Kev442]

Been using them on the fleet for years, and my Dad uses one on his golf cart. I've saved hundreds on car batteries and I can't even remember what my Dad said a set of golf cart batteries cost, but he's waaay ahead compared to needing a new set every 4 years.

 

[chris142]

Why do you guys say it wont charge a battery? I have a small lawnmower battery I use to power a CB radio. I can run the battery down to say 12v then plug the HF maintainer in and bring the battery back up to 12.6v in a couple days.

 

[wxm]

I bought one from HF two years ago when my cousin gave me a spare car battery. It has been plugged in all the time and have never failed me. It works fine..

 

[WR250F]

I don't buy electrical things from HF.

If you even have to ask, just go get a Schumacher at Wally World. They may be 3x the price of the HF one, but it's still short money, and they work.

Just an opinion and while I love HF, I won't buy anything electrical there.

+1 on all counts

Here's a pretty damned good option for cheap, and, it's probably local to you and available

http://www.walmart.com/ip/Schumacher-XM1-5-Maintainer-1.5-Amp/15140193

These work great, zero hassles out of the three I own.

 

[kapster]

My dad and I have been using them for years, probably have bought 4 or so between us. This last winter was my first problem with one. Had my motorcycle battery on it. When I put it in for summer, was to weak to start it. ended up getting a new battery to be safe. Here the charger was only putting out 12.6 volt, should be in the 13.5ish range. Got a new one a month ago, so far so good. Its different then the old one, either changed design or manufacture. I'll going to start checking it with a multimeter from time to time, should with any charger really.

I was going to buy a battery tender, but after reading some reviews didnt sound a lot better.

 

[JASTECH]

I have the Battery Maintainer bought from Northern Tool. I have it hooked up to a Optima red top, then will hook it to a pair of Optima's for my Scout II. I bought the temp. sensor, ring term hook up for it too. It will charge at 2, 4 and 8 amps. selected and type of battery is selectable.

 

[Danglerb]

I bought two, both during one of the $5 sales, and agree with most of the good and bad said.

I think the don't use them to charge a battery comes from potentially overheating the wall wart if a battery is really low.

I hate that red LED that is on even when the charger is not plugged in.

OTOH its $5 and generally keeps the battery topped up. Spend more if you feel the need, but I am not sure it gains you anything.

 

[mark40sw]

I have the Battery Maintainer bought from Northern Tool. I have it hooked up to a Optima red top, then will hook it to a pair of Optima's for my Scout II. I bought the temp. sensor, ring term hook up for it too. It will charge at 2, 4 and 8 amps. selected and type of battery is selectable.

Battery Minder??
http://www.northerntool.com/shop/tools/product_200326706_200326706