Battery chargers

[Terry M-(Moderator) 2,308]

My last two battery chargers only lasted a few years…those just stopped working. so I’m back to using my 37 year old manual charger to charge my tractor batteries.   
 

does anybody make a decent charger for home use anymore??

 

[Bar Nuthin 2,868]

I have an ancient Shumacher 2/10 amp and ancient roll around NAPA 450 amp that just keep on going. I think the NAPA branded one may be made by Shumacher as well.

The knobs are off of an old gas grill 

 

 
 

Edit: I misspoke. The small one is a Schauer. I think it was my Dad’s, and he’s been gone since 1972. Tapering charge. Still works great despite much neglect. 

Edited 16 hours ago by Bar Nuthin

[CasaytheMann 206]

I recommend getting one that has rejuvination capability. I bought an el cheapo Stanley at Walmart probably 8 years ago. Works great for me.

[JoeM 10,103]

I like the Viking chargers at Hobo Freight. they even go into winter maintain mode. A little pricey tho. 

[squonk 47,542]

Scour FB MP and garage sales for an old one.

 

I still have my Craftsman from when I got my first car in 76. I use it for my E tank.

 

I did buy one of those Viking Battery jump pack thingy's from HF. Haven't needed to use it yet.

[953 nut 67,840]

Much like Mike, both of mine are old Craftsman units. The six amp I have had for fifty years or so and the ten amp I bought at a yard sale about twenty years ago, it even has the automatic shut down when the battery is charged.

[peter lena 9,984]

@Terry M  have a small napa charger  , as a back up , but my 3 horses , have battery tenders  wired in  , always  a quick simple  plug in , like this , last picture , hiding in plane site  , pete

 

[SylvanLakeWH 31,876]

Several of these. Work great.

 

[peter lena 9,984]

@SylvanLakeWH  thanks for the shout ! , a lot of what I do , is tried , verified for regular  function , then TWEEK IT !  make it easier to use , evert stage of this has eliminated repetitive issues , ex , started using sta bil  fuel storage  AFTER FUEL TANK CLEAN OUT  , AND HOSE REPLACEMENT , FILTER  NOW AT TANK START AND FILTER AT  CARB , WITH  FUEL CHECK VALVE  ?  SHORT CLEAN  FUEL RATED HOSE TO CARB? LOOKING AT  CLEAN FUEL  HOLD TO  CLEAN CARB BOWL. , guess what ?  NEVER HAD ANY DEBRIS RETURN , STOPPED A CHRONIC ISSUE !  3 horses with  same set ups , move on to next  issue , pete

[davem1111 2,310]

1 hour ago, peter lena said:

@Terry M  have a small napa charger  , as a back up , but my 3 horses , have battery tenders  wired in  , always  a quick simple  plug in , like this , last picture , hiding in plane site  , pete

 

 

I have one of those battery tender plug-ins on my motorcycle, hadn't thought about putting them on the tractors but that's a great idea. I think I'll get a few more tenders so I have enough for each and don't have to remember to move them around periodically in the winter. But sometimes I remove the batteries and bring them in the house, like when it's going to be say, below 20 degrees (or worse) for several days or more. 

[lynnmor 8,943]

1 hour ago, SylvanLakeWH said:

Several of these. Work great.

 

I have two 1.25 amp and one .75 amp Battery Tenders, I just don't trust most of the cheap stuff out there.  I rotate the chargers among six tractors, two trailers, one mower and one motorcycle, leaving each attached about 3 days per month.

[Achto 32,148]

I like the older Schumacher chargers. @WHX??will attest to the fact that I will run over the top of some one at a flea market in order to get one. 

 

What I like about them is that they will actually change a dead battery. No BS electronics to screw up the process.

[953 nut 67,840]

I have always believed that running each  at least once a month cycles the battery which is better for them than just being on a tender.

All critical equipment at the power plant was powered from inverters powered by battery banks. Each week one battery bank was placed on a load to draw them down to 80% voltage and then recharged prior to being placed in service. Each cell would be tested before and after and any that didn't pass the test had to be replaced. We seldom had to replace one.