I've had about every version of battery charger known to man (at least, within my budget). That, because besides having many diesel trucks and tractors with many batteries laying around, I also have two properties with solar electric systems and large battery-banks. Batteries in solar battery-banks are expensive and usually, high end.
My Outback and my Trace battery chargers have many features. You set them up for - total AH size, regardless if one battery or twenty. Type of battery (flooded lead acid conventional, flooded lead acid deep cycle, AGM, NiCad, etc. ). Type of charge - float, bulk, equalize, etc. They also hav thermometers that get attached to the battery to monitor temperature.
I've got two chargers with pulse-width modulation, and a two others with a simple "equalization" mode which is intended to do the same thing in a different way.
I've got high-end chargers, and cheap ones made by Shumaker, Harbor Freight Chinese, Marquette, Snap On, Iota, etc.
From what I've seen - if a battery is bad it's bad, period. If however, it's just sulfated, I don't see any difference between a cheap or high-end charger.
The only big difference I've come across in battery charger performace is - some need perfect AC current to work, and some don't. With that, there is a huge difference. You'll find out if you ever have to plug a battery charger into a portable generator. Most portable generators will not run most shop-type battery chargers. That's where the better, electronic chargers work much better. Iota is one version (I have three - a 12 volt, 24 volt, and a 48 volt model.). Even better is the Trace/Xantrex True-Charge model.
If you just want a charger for routine battery charger - and all you use is grid-power for your AC input - I'd stick with something simple and reliable.
We sell tractor parts! We have the parts you need to repair your tractor - the right parts. Our low prices and years of research make us your best choice when you need parts. Shop Online Today. [ About Us ]
Today's Featured Article - The Tractor Parade: Story of a Case SC - by Bernie DeLon. On a early fall morning back in 1994, I opened the newspaper and happened to spy an article about a local antique tractor club having their annual show that weekend.
... [Read Article]
Latest Ad:
Sell 1958 Hi-Altitude Massey Fergerson tractor, original condition. three point hitch pto engine, Runs well, photos available upon request
[More Ads]
All Rights Reserved. Reproduction of any part of this website, including design and content, without written permission is strictly prohibited. Trade Marks and Trade Names contained and used in this Website are those of others, and are used in this Website in a descriptive sense to refer to the products of others. Use of this Web site constitutes acceptance of our User Agreement and Privacy Policy
TRADEMARK DISCLAIMER: Tradenames and Trademarks referred to within Yesterday's Tractor Co. products and within the Yesterday's Tractor Co. websites are the property of their respective trademark holders. None of these trademark holders are affiliated with Yesterday's Tractor Co., our products, or our website nor are we sponsored by them. John Deere and its logos are the registered trademarks of the John Deere Corporation. Agco, Agco Allis, White, Massey Ferguson and their logos are the registered trademarks of AGCO Corporation. Case, Case-IH, Farmall, International Harvester, New Holland and their logos are registered trademarks of CNH Global N.V.
