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Battery Charger Recommendation?

Discussion in 'The Tool Shed' started by Zoomer, Jan 3, 2020.

  1. Jan 3, 2020
    Zoomer

    Zoomer eJeeper (walking)

    Minnesota
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    Sep 22, 2002
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    1,088
    Anyone have a battery charger they really like and has been reliable? It's time for me to buy a replacement and I thought I'd ask for some recomendations.
     
  2. Jan 3, 2020
    Dave B

    Dave B Frankenjeep '67

    Northern Minnesota
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    Nov 10, 2009
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    650
  3. Jan 3, 2020
    Keys5a

    Keys5a Sponsor

    Florida Keys
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    Jan 23, 2014
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    4,170
    I use a C-Tec Battery maintainer to keep batteries alive. I've had it at least 5 years of close to continous use.
    -Donny
     
  4. Jan 3, 2020
    Zoomer

    Zoomer eJeeper (walking)

    Minnesota
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    Sep 22, 2002
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    1,088
    I should probably pick up a couple of maintainers for the things that get used infrequently or in storage over the winter. Any recommendations there are also appreciated.

    I'm looking to replace the charger I use when a battery is already low and I need to charge it up fairly quickly. Dave, do you have a manual or automatic one? Looks like all the new ones have digital displays.
     
  5. Jan 3, 2020
    BobH

    BobH Member

    Oviedo, Fl
    Joined:
    Nov 11, 2015
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    228
    I have 2 Battery Tenders. One I have used for years with no trouble.
     
  6. Jan 3, 2020
    Dave Deyton

    Dave Deyton Member

    Fuquay-Varina, NC
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    Oct 12, 2003
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    847
  7. Jan 3, 2020
    Dave B

    Dave B Frankenjeep '67

    Northern Minnesota
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    Nov 10, 2009
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    650
    Referring to post #2>>Old automatic as described in the manual, but I believe the function works in both 6 & 12 volt

    MODEL 87106 This charger is equipped with Auto On-Off Technology. After connecting to a 12 volt battery, the charger needs to sense a minimum voltage condition to begin charging and it will stop charging when it reaches the maximum voltage condition, but it will continue to monitor the battery charge level. The charger will "hum" as it monitors. If the battery charge level drops, the charger will begin charging again.
    >>>>>http://www.centurywelding.com/manuals/87102-87105-Bench-Charger-Manual.pdf

    I also have a "modern to me" Schumacher model SC-600A-CA automatic charger/maintainer (12 volt only). I've used it so little I can't give it a review other than seems to work. Measures approx. 7" across the face; 2-3/4" deep; 7" high including handle and weighs next to nothing--a couple pounds???

    --Picture from 'net--looks like mine.
    [​IMG]
     
    Last edited: Jan 3, 2020
  8. Jan 3, 2020
    45es

    45es Active Member 2024 Sponsor 2023 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

    Naches, WA
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    Mar 31, 2007
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    1,103
    I don't have a suggestion for a battery charger but I would suggest considering a solar unit to maintain your batteries. I have two, one for stored jeep in garage during the winter and one for utility shed where lawnmower and such are stored. They work very well.
     
  9. Jan 26, 2020
    teletech

    teletech Member

    Santa Cruz, CA
    Joined:
    Aug 20, 2016
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    236
    +1 on the Genius, though at 7A max it's not exactly going to get you going in a hurry. I think it's time to move beyond the transformer and rectifier in a box mindset as those can be hard on your battery if you leave them hooked up for too long or run any of the exotic mechanical types.
    I appreciate the 24V mode, power supply mode (13.7v) for powering radios, doing fuel pump tests, etc, and it's "repair" which does seem to improve long-dormant batteries ability to hold a charge.
     
  10. Jan 26, 2020
    Warloch

    Warloch Did you say Flattie??? Staff Member

    Falcon, CO
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    Mar 4, 2003
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    5,466
    I got a Genius 2600 and it works real nice on most everything I've tried. I did want it to see if I could save a couple deep cycle bats - no dice on either one though.
     
    windyhill likes this.
  11. Jan 26, 2020
    teletech

    teletech Member

    Santa Cruz, CA
    Joined:
    Aug 20, 2016
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    236
    Seems like if a battery sits dead long enough there is just no way to get it back. In the process of trying to restore a period battery I've even tried draining the battery, etching the plates, and changing electrolyte and had them stay dead.
     
  12. Jan 27, 2020
    Dave Deyton

    Dave Deyton Member

    Fuquay-Varina, NC
    Joined:
    Oct 12, 2003
    Messages:
    847
    Had 2 AGM batteries that had been dead for a long time.
    The Genius G7200 brought back one. The other one no go.

    They work well and I like the 12/24V modes.


    Dave
     
  13. Apr 22, 2020
    68BuickV6

    68BuickV6 Well-Known Member

    Hesperia, CA.
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    Mar 12, 2012
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    2,160
    Battery Tender or Noco. I use them on both my Jeeps, they've done a decent job at bouncing back batteries.
     
    Last edited: Apr 22, 2020
  14. Apr 22, 2020
    Zoomer

    Zoomer eJeeper (walking)

    Minnesota
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    Sep 22, 2002
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    1,088
    I ended up with a Noco Genius 10. Got it on sale plus $'s off at our local Fleet Farm. Only used it a little, but seems to work good so far.
     
  15. Apr 24, 2020
    wilmerc

    wilmerc New Member

    GA
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    Apr 21, 2020
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    8
    I've used my Deltran Battery tender for the last 7 years without an issue.
     
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