• We’re currently investigating an issue related to the forum theme and styling that is impacting page layout and visual formatting. The problem has been identified, and we are actively working on a resolution. There is no impact to user data or functionality, this is strictly a front-end display issue. We’ll post an update once the fix has been deployed. Thanks for your patience while we get this sorted.

Car battery charger recommendations

Status
Not open for further replies.
Kaervak

Kaervak

Diamond Member
My dad left his lights on and drained his battery, I stole my uncle's 2A/6A Schumacher charger and all is well. However, incase this happens again I'd like to get my own battery charger. Any recommendations or brands to stay away from? Around $50 would be nice, but I'm not dead set again something expensive if the quality is good.
 
Originally posted by: SoulAssassin
Do you want an actual "charger" or do you want something to jump it? I have the Craftsman below and have been happy with it. Currently on sale for $45.

http://www.sears.com/shc/s/p_1...+Chargers+%26+Boosters
Click to expand...

A charger is adequate. However the jump feature would be nice as my dad's car is a V8 and mine is only an I4 and I've always been under the impression that you shouldn't jump a larger vehicle with a smaller one. Any truth to that?

Anyway, I've been looking at Schumacher chargers on ebay and there are quite a few previously used ones that are rather inexpensive and are plenty capable of what I need. Any other brands worth looking into? Are the cheapo harbor freight chargers worth anything other that a laugh?
 
55 amp setting provides enormous additional cranking power when working on autos or in emergency situations
Click to expand...

Not enormous at all and
Not through them thar little wires... 😀
 
Originally posted by: LTC8K6
55 amp setting provides enormous additional cranking power when working on autos or in emergency situations
Click to expand...

Not enormous at all and
Not through them thar little wires... 😀
Click to expand...

That looks like 14 gauge wire for the clamps... holy firehazard batman.

I've got the blue one form harbor freight, 2/5.5 amp

 
Hmmm...I never actually used a charger as opposed to a jump start.....with the charger, do you just hook it up to the battery and let it trickle charge for 5 minutes?
 
For a tricke rate it will be overnight.

Depending on how dead the battery is, and the normal rate of the charger, it could take anywhere from 30 minutes to a couple hours to get the battery strong enough to crank your car.

A high rate fast charger might do it in 10 minutes, but those usually have the jump start ability anyway.

 
Personally, I would just get a jump starter and then run the engine for 30 minutes to let the alternator do the work unless you are using it for a mower or a vehicle that doesn't get driven often.
 
Originally posted by: SoulAssassin
Personally, I would just get a jump starter and then run the engine for 30 minutes to let the alternator do the work unless you are using it for a mower or a vehicle that doesn't get driven often.
Click to expand...

An alternator only provides a trickle charge. 30 minutes will be enough to replenish what a battery lost to start an engine but not nearly enough to bring back a battery that went dead.

ZV
 
Well, I went with a Schumacher SE-70MA 10A Fully automatic charger. http://store.schumachermart.com/se-70ma.html It does 24v deep cycle too. The best part is I got this lovely bit of overkill on eBay for $22 shipped. One little mark in the metal casing and that's it. 🙂

I had no idea just down discharged my dad's battery is, accoding to the charger it's only about 25% charged. I guess I just got it charged enough to get it to crank over and replenish what it took to start it but not much more.
 
Well, you aren't charging a deep cycle battery. Not sure whether that's really a problem or not.

EDIT: Nevermind, it charges both so you're fine.
 
Status
Not open for further replies.

TRENDING THREADS

Back
Top