What battery charger are you guys recommending for home use? I want something in the 10 amp category, but that will charge both 6 and 12 volt batteries.
Suggestions?
Thanks
Rodd
Suggestions?
Thanks
Rodd
Battery charger for home use
- Thread starter Rodd
- Start date
i dont think 10 amps is going to be enough ...maybe to maintain them but not to charge them very well when low...you could charge them on the boat and bring them home for winter storage and maybe put on a 10 amp to keep them up but i am not sure you need to maintain them if they are full and in good shape Mainesail is the go to guy on this so maybe he will come in and advise you
Sears makes a multi charger for 6 and 12 volt. It also allows for trickle charge and quick charge. I had one for about ten years and it worked well til my son ran it over. Iam going to have to pick one real soon. I will et you know the price.
Stu- and the group-
Yes I know I can charge the two 6 volt batteries as one 12v batttery using a 12 volt charger, but I prefer to be able to charge each battery separately. Maybe Maine will weigh in on the advantages of being able to charge each separately?
Thanks for the replies-- also how about some brands that are preferred?
Yes I know I can charge the two 6 volt batteries as one 12v batttery using a 12 volt charger, but I prefer to be able to charge each battery separately. Maybe Maine will weigh in on the advantages of being able to charge each separately?
Thanks for the replies-- also how about some brands that are preferred?
#1 I have not yet seen a "good quality" 6V and 12V charger.
#2 Most cheap chargers in the 10A range are not a "good quality" product.
#3 The ability to equalize is paramount in any good charger
#4 If you want all this, 6V, 12V and the ability to equalize, sometimes a bench top variable power supply is best value. You will need to manually adjust for float but they make everything else much easier. The Mastech 3010EX is decent.. These are all I use in my shop and I have four of them a 30A, 50A (both Mastech) and two 60A models (Both BK Precision model 1900's).....
#5 If you just want a 12V charger that opens up a lot more possibilities..
P.S. This all reminds me that I have a picture of a Stowaway marine battery that a customer BLEW UP with a Schumacher charger.... I need to add it to my web site....!! Cheap chargers are usually not worth the cardboard box they ship in...
Maine-
Thanks for the response- While I see the advantges of the Mastech, I wanted something more robust that I could use out in the driveway to charge a car battery, for instance , as well as taking the unit to different outdoor locations for charging. If I went with a 12 volt only charger, then what unit(s) would you recommend?
Rodd
Thanks for the response- While I see the advantges of the Mastech, I wanted something more robust that I could use out in the driveway to charge a car battery, for instance , as well as taking the unit to different outdoor locations for charging. If I went with a 12 volt only charger, then what unit(s) would you recommend?
Rodd
Wiring a new charger From Maine Sail: http://forums.catalina.sailboatowners.com/showthread.php?t=136765
I picked this up this spring after finding that I had left the radio on in the boat one spring day while working on a project with one of the batteries disconnected, and not returning again for almost 2 weeks.
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000UZ62FM/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o07_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1
Used the recondition on the dead flat battery, and then equalized it, then equalized the bank (somewhere along the way I also had to add some water), and so far at the end of the season the battery is holding up without any indication of problem.
It was well recommended by a few people, has equalize, supports FLA, Gel, and AGM
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000UZ62FM/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o07_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1
Used the recondition on the dead flat battery, and then equalized it, then equalized the bank (somewhere along the way I also had to add some water), and so far at the end of the season the battery is holding up without any indication of problem.
It was well recommended by a few people, has equalize, supports FLA, Gel, and AGM
There's a wide variety of chargers out there. I have several "battery tender" types for off season battery storage and charging plus a couple different heavy duty charging and starting chargers. 1. Check local yard/rummage sales (I have seven different chargers and didn't buy a single one through a retail store). 2. Local automotive stores have a good selection for 6v and 12v batteries (I have both because I have a 1943 Ford Tractor that is still 12v and a 24v charger for other vehicles). I took a quick look at a local farm supply store online and found http://www.fleetfarm.com/detail/schumacher-manual-battery-charger-with-engine-start/0000000007228 plus a lot more.
Those are Schumacher chargers, something shared experience has taught many on this forum to avoid at all costs, even if they are free.
The link I provided above is NOT a Schumacher charger (though B&D sells a very similar unit that is in fact made by Schumacher, I searched long and hard to ensure I found the correct unit before I bought that one)
FourPoints
PREACH IT BROTHER!
I've had two Schumachers and they are junk. The idea of having a 3 pound, computer controlled charge is so appealing, but they (mine) shut off at the drop of a hat saying "BAD BAT" with a brand new battery. I found an old 30 pound charge that I forgot that I had and have used it on the same "BAD BAT"s for three years now, without a hitch.
PREACH IT BROTHER!
I've had two Schumachers and they are junk. The idea of having a 3 pound, computer controlled charge is so appealing, but they (mine) shut off at the drop of a hat saying "BAD BAT" with a brand new battery. I found an old 30 pound charge that I forgot that I had and have used it on the same "BAD BAT"s for three years now, without a hitch.
Some of my customers have found out the hard way just how bad they are. Try my customer who DESTROYED a $2000.00 bank of GEL batteries when the Schumacher Ship-N-Shore charger was feeding them 16V+ on the GEL setting......
Anyone had any experience with the Schauer brand of chargers? Again, I am looking for a cheap, automotive charger just to give my batteries a charge once or twice during the winter while they are off the boat. I have good built=in charger on board. Also for occasional use on my car batteries if needed.
Thanks.
Thanks.
Actually Guest (Marinco) have a few inexpensive chargers as well. Low output though. Some are portable, some hard wired.