Battery charger?

Jeff Stout · 02-14-2021, 06:35 PM

I need to buy a new one. What is you preference. Want to stay 12 volt and NOT the tall stand up style

GTX JOHN · 02-14-2021, 07:43 PM

Jeff: We run Optima chargers whether Optima or regular batteries.

However, the cheap Harbor Freight one works fine = Just not
great on longevity!

Jeff Stout · 02-15-2021, 10:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GTX JOHN

Jeff: We run Optima chargers whether Optima or regular batteries.

However, the cheap Harbor Freight one work fine = Just not
great on longevity!

I was just looking at the optima as size of charger is important as I'm running out of room in ramp truck. Thanks

cad · 02-15-2021, 10:50 AM

Ive been using Clore Automotive. Luke Siebert turned me onto it a couple years ago. I'm running a red top.

https://cloreautomotive.com/product/pl2320/

Clark

SSDiv6 · 02-15-2021, 12:41 PM

Jeff,

Get one of the old Schumacher battery chargers made in the USA. Mine still operates great after 28 years of ownership.

As a matter of fact, there is one for sale in Ebay in Casa Grande, Arizona.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/Schumacher-...%7C1500%7C2000

FireSale · 02-15-2021, 01:02 PM

An Old Schumacher was my best charger ever until it shorted out. Several short lived chargers later I dumped my bank account on an Optima. It brought several dead $$$ batteries back to life and has paid for itself. Only problem is that it's a theft target like a Honda generator.

voltdr · 02-19-2021, 09:23 PM

You didn't say what brand of battery you are using. My advice is to use the same brand of charger as battery. The batteries we are using nowadays are not like the "old" days. Charging rates, balancing of cells, maintaining of charge, not over charging. These are all things to pay attention when choosing the best battery charger for you setup. And by all means buy a spare.
Dan
SC4698

Run to Rund · 02-21-2021, 09:41 AM

I have the 20 amp Odyssey charger and like it. It performs a system check, charges, conditions, and maintains.

Paul Merolla · 02-21-2021, 10:30 AM

I use a Schumacher SC1304 and really like it. Fully automatic, and lets you choose between lead/acid, agm, or gel types. Also it has strain-reliefs where the cables connect to the clamps...most chargers I've owned in the past fail at this joint. $65 on Amazon.

4ordracer · 02-19-2021, 03:28 PM

I bought the big optima charger for my bracket car. 2 optima red tops. When I got the charger, there was a broken piece. Called customer service and no problem, we'll send a replacement. Returned the broken one in the same box which included a return label (no cost to me, except the trip to ups). Three years later (iirc warranty was 2 years), the screen that showed you charging rate dies. Still charges but no idea of the rate of charge. Call customer service looking to buy a replacement screen. Was told they Don't sell parts, but they asked about the serial number. Calls me back and they said they would ship me a new one, no charge. I was surprised as it was past warranty.
That's my idea of customer support!

02-14-2021, 06:35 PM	#1
Jeff Stout VIP Member Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: phoenix Posts: 1,430 Likes: 54 Liked 675 Times in 267 Posts	Battery charger? I need to buy a new one. What is you preference. Want to stay 12 volt and NOT the tall stand up style

02-14-2021, 07:43 PM	#2
GTX JOHN VIP Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Boulder City, Nevada 89005 Posts: 2,546 Likes: 2,244 Liked 1,888 Times in 581 Posts	Re: Battery charger? Jeff: We run Optima chargers whether Optima or regular batteries. However, the cheap Harbor Freight one works fine = Just not great on longevity! __________________ John Irving 741 Stock 741 Super Stock Last edited by GTX JOHN; 02-19-2021 at 01:08 AM.

02-15-2021, 10:50 AM	#4
cad Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Omaha, NE Posts: 675 Likes: 142 Liked 72 Times in 40 Posts	Re: Battery charger? Ive been using Clore Automotive. Luke Siebert turned me onto it a couple years ago. I'm running a red top. https://cloreautomotive.com/product/pl2320/ Clark

02-15-2021, 12:41 PM	#5
SSDiv6 VIP Member Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: Glendale, Arizona Posts: 2,992 Likes: 693 Liked 1,458 Times in 544 Posts	Re: Battery charger? Jeff, Get one of the old Schumacher battery chargers made in the USA. Mine still operates great after 28 years of ownership. As a matter of fact, there is one for sale in Ebay in Casa Grande, Arizona. https://www.ebay.com/itm/Schumacher-...%7C1500%7C2000

02-15-2021, 01:02 PM	#6
FireSale VIP Member Join Date: Feb 2014 Location: Lakewood Washington Posts: 1,407 Likes: 29 Liked 237 Times in 127 Posts	Re: Battery charger? An Old Schumacher was my best charger ever until it shorted out. Several short lived chargers later I dumped my bank account on an Optima. It brought several dead $$$ batteries back to life and has paid for itself. Only problem is that it's a theft target like a Honda generator. __________________ Dale Shearon 68 Mustang 6394

02-19-2021, 09:23 PM	#7
voltdr Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Texas Posts: 703 Likes: 77 Liked 92 Times in 49 Posts	Re: Battery charger? You didn't say what brand of battery you are using. My advice is to use the same brand of charger as battery. The batteries we are using nowadays are not like the "old" days. Charging rates, balancing of cells, maintaining of charge, not over charging. These are all things to pay attention when choosing the best battery charger for you setup. And by all means buy a spare. Dan SC4698 __________________ Dan Foley SC 4698

02-21-2021, 09:41 AM	#8
Run to Rund Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Posts: 574 Likes: 6 Liked 44 Times in 22 Posts	Re: Battery charger? I have the 20 amp Odyssey charger and like it. It performs a system check, charges, conditions, and maintains.

02-21-2021, 10:30 AM	#9
Paul Merolla Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Papillion, NE Posts: 597 Likes: 200 Liked 232 Times in 57 Posts	Re: Battery charger? I use a Schumacher SC1304 and really like it. Fully automatic, and lets you choose between lead/acid, agm, or gel types. Also it has strain-reliefs where the cables connect to the clamps...most chargers I've owned in the past fail at this joint. $65 on Amazon.

02-19-2021, 03:28 PM	#10
4ordracer Junior Member Join Date: Jul 2018 Posts: 5 Likes: 0 Liked 9 Times in 2 Posts	Re: Battery charger? I bought the big optima charger for my bracket car. 2 optima red tops. When I got the charger, there was a broken piece. Called customer service and no problem, we'll send a replacement. Returned the broken one in the same box which included a return label (no cost to me, except the trip to ups). Three years later (iirc warranty was 2 years), the screen that showed you charging rate dies. Still charges but no idea of the rate of charge. Call customer service looking to buy a replacement screen. Was told they Don't sell parts, but they asked about the serial number. Calls me back and they said they would ship me a new one, no charge. I was surprised as it was past warranty. That's my idea of customer support!