Recommendations for a new battery charger

[Lassen Forge]

My old, old roll around battery charger finally gave up the ghost last night... guess it just got too tired to keep going, and with a couple pops, a square smoke ring, and internal fireworks went out on self-bereavement leave.

Kind of sad, because it was about the most useful one I'd seen, fully adjustable from 6 to 24 volts, and you could select the amps separately (2 amp trickle to 200 amp booster). IIRC I got it at a garage sale from an airplane nut, it wasn't new when I got it, and it lasted until it died.

Anyway, I just spent a few minutes on the psycho smiley face site (EG Amazon), nothing quite as versatile as the one I had... so I turn to my trusty (sometimes rusty) colleagues here to steer me in the right direction. Recommendations?

 

[PhysicsDude]

IMO the 200+amp battery charger/starter roll around boxes are kind of obsolete for home use when you can buy the little li-ion jump packs for under $100 that work great. I've used mine to start a 6.0L V8 over 10 times with 1 charge.

I have a basic 2-6-12 amp "smart" charger that's served me well.

Schumacher is a reputable brand. They have several chargers available depending on exactly what you're looking for.

 

[John in OH]

There have been many posts here on GJ in the past regarding battery chargers. The GJ search feature pretty much *****, but if you go to Google and enter:

site:garagejournal.com - battery charger

you will get a lot of hits that will direct you to previous GJ threads. Lots of good suggestions and comments in those posts.

I bought a 6/12v Schumaker wheeled charger with something like 100/40/20/2 amp rates and 200 amp boost, about 10 years ago (paid about $200) and it isn't anything to write home about ... it works, but the timer died after about a year. If you can afford it, take a look at the Associated brand.

 

[littleponderosa]

Ive looked at the newer multi-stage, lotta choices. I'm confused now about what I need vs want. Sales lit sure makes them sound indispensable today. I question that.
Bill

 

[6PTsocket]

My old, old roll around battery charger finally gave up the ghost last night... guess it just got too tired to keep going, and with a couple pops, a square smoke ring, and internal fireworks went out on self-bereavement leave.

Kind of sad, because it was about the most useful one I'd seen, fully adjustable from 6 to 24 volts, and you could select the amps separately (2 amp trickle to 200 amp booster). IIRC I got it at a garage sale from an airplane nut, it wasn't new when I got it, and it lasted until it died.

Anyway, I just spent a few minutes on the psycho smiley face site (EG Amazon), nothing quite as versatile as the one I had... so I turn to my trusty (sometimes rusty) colleagues here to steer me in the right direction. Recommendations?

I wouldn't give up on the old one until I found out what happened. If it is not the transformer, there is not much that cannot be cheaply replaced. Hopefully you have somebody to check it out for you. I say this because any techie I know would have it open before the smoke cleared. That is just the electronic tech talking, I have plenty of areas where I need a copy of XXXX for Dummies.

Sent from my SM-G900V using Tapatalk

 

[Eric29]

This works well:

https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B00030BFO2/ref=cm_cr_arp_mb_bdcrb_top?ie=UTF8

 

[American Locomotive]

Usually those big old roll around battery charges are just a fan, multi-tap transformer and some big diodes. If the transformer is okay, you can get 200+ amp diodes on ebay pretty cheap.

 

[Bert_]

I wouldn't give up on the old one until I found out what happened. If it is not the transformer, there is not much that cannot be cheaply replaced. Hopefully you have somebody to check it out for you. I say this because any techie I know would have it open before the smoke cleared. That is just the electronic tech talking, I have plenty of areas where I need a copy of XXXX for Dummies.

Sent from my SM-G900V using Tapatalk

Glad someone said it. If you like the old one fix it, no reason to just throw it away without a diagnosis.

 

[kkroger]

I recently had to replace my aged shoemaker charger and I wanted something good but not too much high tech BS, I just need it to charge a damned battery! so I got an AutoMeter Tower of Power...https://www.autometer.com/wheel-charger-tower-of-power-man-70-30-4-280.html
I love the thing, the clamps on it are slightly different from what is shown better IMHO... but I digress

 

[jayfrank5074]

Associated if you want to spend $, but they are great. The blue ones are USA made. And they have manual/timed ones if that’s what you want. At work we have one with 375 boost, it was a beast. It just bled power, it was also $650

Schumacher isn’t the best imo. I have an SE-4020 I think, timer broke on first use, but the rest works fine.

 

[WittHay]

I like and use the Associated. Adjustable voltages, 90 minute timer. rain proof and 5 year warranty

 

[Bennylava]

This thing here is great. Ended up buying another one for the boat.


https://www.amazon.com/dp/B004LWTHP2/?tag=atomicindus08-20

 

[senlow]

Usually those big old roll around battery charges are just a fan, multi-tap transformer and some big diodes. If the transformer is okay, you can get 200+ amp diodes on ebay pretty cheap.

I suggest that you do a bit of diagnosis before you give up on it. The older chargers are very simple.

If you must replace, Associated makes a top notch charger. They are a bit pricey. Buy once, cry once.

 

[LXCam]

I grew up with lots of animals and since the folks were into horses guess what my chores consisted off. So as a family man the only kind of horsepower I'd allow on my property got feed with gasoline which also meant there's always at least a couple dozen batteries that needed to be dealt with.

For decades I stuck with the tried and true buzz box chargers and after going thru a half dozen decided the last time one smoke tested on me I'd go big. So somewhere around ten years ago I finally dug deep and bought a SO EEBC500. Ya they're pricey but I'd never go back to less then the tech age models now.

But if you're looking for something a bit more reasonable I'd go with a Schumacher unit and call it a day. As a matter of fact Woot has several models on sale right now that might be worth looking over.

 

[EOC_Jason]

Usually those big old roll around battery charges are just a fan, multi-tap transformer and some big diodes. If the transformer is okay, you can get 200+ amp diodes on ebay pretty cheap.

^^^ This... Could possibly be a loose wire that shorted too which is an easy fix... Be prepared to find clumps of mud dauber nests on the transformer too... lol.

 

[jayfrank5074]

This thing here is great. Ended up buying another one for the boat.


https://www.amazon.com/dp/B004LWTHP2/?tag=atomicindus08-20

I had one of these and several other noco chargers. They started acting flakey after about a year, I sold them while they still worked.


As said associated is awesome. If you want automatic, I like the century that you can use auto or manual. About $100

For smaller I like optimate chargers, very high quality. I have several.

 

[Lassen Forge]

Pulled the cover, looks like the windings on the transformer got smoked. Considering its age, I'm either really disappointed or really impressed. And yeah, I can't believe how simple this thing is... if I could find a transformer I might be tempted to build my own. I miss the old junk/surplus stores that had stuff like that for cheap...

Guess it's time to blow the moths out of the wallet. Darn. Thanks, guys, for the recommendations!

 

[American Locomotive]

Are you sure they just didn't get covered in soot from exploding diodes?

 

[Utahtrapper]

Harbor Freight actually has a rebranded Schumacher. It has been flawless for a year at least.

 

[jgromada]

I like the products from Noco https://no.co/

I have the battery charger G3500 https://no.co/g3500. These solid state chargers are better than the old style chargers in that will work with a variety of battery chemistrys and won't overcharge a battery. There is also a recovery mode that helps to cure a sulphated battery. My only issue is that if the battery is totally dead it won't turn on. So i may need to "prime" it a bit off of a jump so that some current is flowing. I have several vehicles that sit for periods of time, so this is good to keep them in running condition (regarding batteries)

I also bought a jump starter (Li based) GB40 https://no.co/gb40 so i would make sure i never had to worry even when the battery was weak and i would never get stranded. My only wish is that i had researched this and bought the next model up as I also wanted to use this a portable 12v source and this model doesn't do that.

 

[theoldwizard1]

Schumacher is the most common DIY brand. Many sizes and styles to choose from.

I you want a real HEAVY DUTY, Made in the USA battery chargers, then check oout these made by Rizk National Industries. Not cheap, but you can tell they are well made and will easily last 50 years !

 

[WhiffySpark]

I sucked it up and brought the snap on. Ebcc500 or something like that. Zero regrets

 

[Bottlecapdigger]

I went through 2 different ones each time returning them because i didn't like something about it. Finally settled on the third one, a box on wheels. It's ok, fan quit after a year. One of my biggest beefs about most of them is they make the cables too short. So if you care check the length of the cable before buying. BCD.

 

[Lassen Forge]

I almost pulled the plug on an Associated, but taking a $700-1000 bite would have been tough... probably may regret this, but went with the Century instead... Also decided since it was for arouund here, didn't really need the 24V tap (now watch, someone will have a Pinzgauer and a Hmmvv and a Deuce and a half package for a grand... Arrghhh... )

Should be here in a couple days, I'll let you know if it's a boom or a bust.

 

[theoldwizard1]

I can not believe what you guys are spending !

$320 5 year warranty Made in USA !

 

[Lassen Forge]

UPDATE - It showed up today, just got it unpacked and put together... Heavy for a small one.


$260, the warranty is 2 years... except for the rectifier and transformer, those are 5 years. And also made here. Not too shabby...

 

[Davegvg]

Congrats on the new machine.... new shiny stuff is always fun and cool.

Help me understand why you bought a large roll around vs a smaller charger/maintainer you can leave connected year round?

Thanks!

Dave

 

[rodm1]

My next one will be from here. I've had good luck with my Century and I bet you will to.

https://www.usabatterychargers.com/portable-battery-chargers