Author	[Modern View]
LazyWP 07-24-2012 08:57:41 184.20.74.98 Report to Moderator	I need to get a different battery charger, but the last 4 I bought, have not lived up to my expectations. I would like the boost capability, be able to slow charge over night. Go from 6 to 12 volt, and last. Locally we have a Bomgaars, Pronto, NAPA, ALCO, and True Value, and they are all 40 miles away. I would like to have a decent warranty. Ideas or suggestions? [Reply]   [No Email]
GordoSD 07-25-2012 20:41:20 64.33.250.162 Report to Moderator	Re: I need a battery charger!! in reply to LazyWP, 07-24-2012 08:57:41   JD has it booked, That's the one in my shop. Plus 4 "maintainers. [Reply]  [No Email]
Bob - MI 07-25-2012 16:43:24 24.247.56.39 Report to Moderator	Re: I need a battery charger!! in reply to LazyWP, 07-24-2012 08:57:41   I have 4 chargers and the one that I hate the most is my Sears automatic 6V/12V 2/10/60 amp unit. It never really acts properly and is way finicky. The one that I have had the longest is a 12v Schumacher 2/10/50 amp. It's not automatic but it does step down and it has a built-in timer so I can set it for up to 12 hrs and forget it. The only reason that I bought the Sears model was the 6V selection. Recently I bought 3 of the Deltran Battery Tender JR. chargers and I really like these. One was for my daughter's lawn tractor (so I could get my Schumacher back) one for my boat and one for my Ford 2N (6V). These stay plugged in and the float feature keeps the batteries up all the time. $25.00 on ebay delivered. [Reply]  [No Email]
JDseller 07-24-2012 21:04:04 208.126.196.144 Report to Moderator	Re: I need a battery charger!! in reply to LazyWP, 07-24-2012 08:57:41   I have used Schumacher chargers for over forty years. The one I use the most is a carry around 10/30/200 charger and it is twenty plus years old too. That is 10 amp slow charge, 30 amp fast charge and 200 amp boost. It does 6 and 12 volt both. I like just being about to grab it and take off. The wheeled chargers are a real pain if you go out in the dirt and gravel. Plus on large equipment you have to take the charger up on it. Like combines and Dozers. Here is a link to Schumacher's site. And a picture of the one I have. Also it says it is a manual charger that just means it does not have a timer. It does have a voltage regulator in it. It will not over charge the battery. Schumacher site [Reply]  [No Email]
Cas 07-25-2012 12:44:09 74.65.46.158 Report to Moderator	Re: I need a battery charger!! in reply to JDseller, 07-24-2012 21:04:04   I'll second JDSeller's pick. We have had 3 chargers in the last 40 years. One got run over by a tractor, one was stolen, and the one I have now is over 15 years old. Only thing is on one of them the diodes burned out. Replacement diodes were $5.00. Got them from Schumacher, which I think has excellent tech help and customer service. Charger gets plenty of use. [Reply]  [No Email]
Mark6005 07-24-2012 17:55:41 70.225.168.141 Report to Moderator	Re: I need a battery charger!! in reply to LazyWP, 07-24-2012 08:57:41   Being very dry this summer my tractors tiller etc are not being used much. I purchased a Schumacher 1.5 maintainer that reads 6 or 12 volt without settings and turns itself on as needed. It tops off everything as needed and at $19 at farm and fleet I"ll get another. Manual says it doesn"t charge a dead battery but will maintain a charged battery. I"ve noticed it keeps the 6v 8n cranking strong [Reply]  [No Email]
Mike Aylward 07-24-2012 12:42:07 216.145.134.145 Report to Moderator	Re: I need a battery charger!! in reply to LazyWP, 07-24-2012 08:57:41   When I was looking for a heavy duty battery charger a few years ago I did some research and found the "amp" ratings were not based on a uniform standard. Some manufacturers use their own standard while many of the better chargers use the Underwriter's Laboratories standard, which is less. I ended up with an R&N charger I bought online and it has been a tremendous charger. I have small chargers for the trickle jobs and the big one does everything else. I've been very impressed with it. Mike [Reply]  [No Email]
Mike Aylward 07-24-2012 12:44:06 216.145.134.145 Report to Moderator	Re: I need a battery charger!! in reply to Mike Aylward, 07-24-2012 12:42:07   The "R&N" I mentioned was not quite right. The charger I have is "RN" which stands for Rizk National. Mike [Reply]  [No Email]
old 07-24-2012 12:19:59 209.86.226.32 Report to Moderator	Re: I need a battery charger!! in reply to LazyWP, 07-24-2012 08:57:41   Schumaker is one of the best I have had. I own right right now that I have had for well over a decade and it is still working just fine. I did at one time have to replace the timer on it but I called them up and sent me a new one and once installed it was as good as always. Only thing I do not like about it is the fact it has no 6 volts to it but I know they make them that do but they cost a bit more. As it was back when I got this one it was around $125 and as I said more then 10 years ago [Reply]  [No Email]
Russ from MN 07-24-2012 11:19:32 68.235.89.1 Report to Moderator	Re: I need a battery charger!! in reply to LazyWP, 07-24-2012 08:57:41   The automatic charger that I have will not turn itself on if the battery is dead, something to think about. I have a Shumacher and a Century, the Century is a little more impressive, and has 100 amp boost. any boost less than 100 amp is only useful on lawn tractors! [Reply]  [No Email]
Jon Hagen 07-24-2012 09:51:11 69.26.17.61 Report to Moderator	Re: I need a battery charger!! in reply to LazyWP, 07-24-2012 08:57:41   Lots of good "automatic" chargers out there, dont buy a "manual" charger. A good "automatic" charger will recharge and maintain a battery correctly without overcharging, even if you leave it connected for days In my opinion, use of a chargers "boost" setting, is about the most distructive thing you can do to a charger next to driving over it. I refuse to use the things, as the shock load and heating of the transformer and rectifiers is really nasty. I use a Shumacher automatic model which will safetly recharge most any type of deep cycle or starting battery, be it flooded cell ,AGM or GEL battery. 2-10-20 amps charge with 80 amp boost. It has a charging system tester and a desulfator / maintainer mode. Model 8020A, 12V only [Reply]  [No Email]
Brad Buchanan 07-24-2012 10:29:43 24.92.240.204 Report to Moderator	Re: I need a battery charger!! in reply to Jon Hagen, 07-24-2012 09:51:11   You are so correct in your comment "In my opinion, use of a chargers "boost" setting, is about the most destructive thing you can do to a charger next to driving over it". I had a schumaker wheelie charger with a 225 amp boost. I used it for many years for charging batteries and starting vehicles. It was still workin' well until I ran over it with my Ford f-600 bucket truck. Now... Not so much. Brad [Reply]  [No Email]
Brad Buchanan 07-24-2012 19:59:56 24.92.240.204 Report to Moderator	Why you shouldn't use charger for wheel chock. in reply to Brad Buchanan, 07-24-2012 10:29:43   Could not figger how to edit my post so here it is! Brad [Reply]  [No Email]
Bob - MI 07-25-2012 16:33:26 24.247.56.39 Report to Moderator	Re: Why you shouldn't use charger for wheel chock. in reply to Brad Buchanan, 07-24-2012 19:59:56   Take it back for a warranty claim. [Reply]  [No Email]
NCWayne 07-24-2012 20:42:59 69.40.232.132 Report to Moderator	Re: Why you shouldn't use charger for wheel chock. in reply to Brad Buchanan, 07-24-2012 19:59:56   Beat the housing back out a little bit and it will look almost as good as and old one a local junk yard uses to keep their batteries charged. I've seen the thing left sitting out under a an open shed, rained on, etc, etc, etc, and it just keeps on working. It's way to beat up to even think about getting a name off of it, but I'd love to have one that would take that much abuse and keep on working. [Reply]  [No Email]