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

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!

Re: Battery charger?
 

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

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

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

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.

Re: Battery charger?
 

My son manages an Interstate Battery dealership. He has been with them over twenty years.

He personally owns one of the smaller Optima chargers and really likes it. He has had it for years.

However the model he has is 4 amps. You would probably want the larger one for the track.

Re: Battery charger?
 

I got a Dewalt 30 amp Charger for Christmas and it's REALLY nice! Got it from Home Depot for around $99. Several racer buds have had em for about 6 mos so I got some good feedback before picking this one.

Re: Battery charger?
 

I/We have two of the Schumacher SC1281 chargers. I have had mine for 8-10 years with no troubles.
When we got Terr's car I got one just like and and love them both. About $100. at Walmart etc.

Re: Battery charger?
 

The a Rock Or Moroso are really good. Same charger different labels. They will do 16 or 12. Not cheap.
Harbor freight works and are cheap. Make sure you buy a spare

Re: Battery charger?
 

This is what I bought new for 79.00. Schumacher sc1281

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!

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

Re: Battery charger?
 

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

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.