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Battery charger/booster recommendation please #2932993
06/13/21 10:33 PM
06/13/21 10:33 PM
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 3,509
Eyewa
330Scott Offline OP
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I am looking for a basic, easy to use automotive battery charger/booster.

I purchased a NAPA labeled but Schumacher built unit about three years ago and have never been able to get the POS to work properly. The instructions are worthless, it is not intuitive and even Schumacher's tech support has cussed the unit out. $200 down the drain.

So what do you guys recommend that IS NOT a Schumacher built charger/booster. I want to buy and have it in hand tomorrow.

Btw, I am not looking for one of those compact jump starters. I had a POS NOCO back-flush and destroy a laptop when I plugged it into the laptop's USB port to charge it up.

Hence the POS NAPA unit. I'm zero for two....

If you want to make a recommendation for a jump starter, let's hear it. But I am needing a charger/booster first.

Thanks,

Re: Battery charger/booster recommendation please [Re: 330Scott] #2933054
06/14/21 06:06 AM
06/14/21 06:06 AM
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 5,631
Port Huron, Michigan
MI_Custumz Offline
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I have an older version of this. Has the dials instead of digital. I use it to jump a car if it's at home and no other car to jump it.
https://www.amazon.com/DieHard-7132...d=1623665040&s=automotive&sr=1-5

Bought one of these to keep in the one car, may be different amps, not sure.
https://www.amazon.com/STANLEY-J5C0...=1623664912&s=automotive&sr=1-14

Bought one of these for my son when he went to school and figured he may need it.
https://www.samsclub.com/p/1000-peak-battery-a-1000-peak-battery-a/prod20581005?pid=ps_acq_Google_PLA_12743824280&wl0=&wl1=u&wl2=c&wl3=514345519181&wl4=pla-293946777986&wl5=9016816&wl6=&wl7=&wl9=&wl10=1247713&wl11=online&wl12={productid}&wl13=&wl15=122487735562&wl16=&wl17=&wl18=&wl19=&wl20=CjwKCAjw_JuGBhBkEiwA1xmbRfWtRzg_a566Z4qQ_6adN8WV5MK86xvsfMCigqRu7OWt_yW9-kujeBoCPWkQAvD_BwE&wl23=293946777986&gclid=CjwKCAjw_JuGBhBkEiwA1xmbRfWtRzg_a566Z4qQ_6adN8WV5MK86xvsfMCigqRu7OWt_yW9-kujeBoCPWkQAvD_BwE


Last edited by MI_Custumz; 06/14/21 06:06 AM.
Re: Battery charger/booster recommendation please [Re: MI_Custumz] #2933071
06/14/21 08:02 AM
06/14/21 08:02 AM
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 10,667
North Dakota
6PakBee Offline
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I have a newer NAPA charger and the only thing I hate about it is that it has to sense voltage before it'll energize the leads. So if you want to test a blower motor or a wiper motor or anything that needs 12V DC you are SOL. Fortunately I have an old Schumacher built in the '60's that I use for that.

The current crop, I have no clue. shruggy


"We live in a time when intelligent people are being silenced so that stupid people won't be offended".
Re: Battery charger/booster recommendation please [Re: 6PakBee] #2933128
06/14/21 11:11 AM
06/14/21 11:11 AM
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Canada -- Posts: 4034 -Registe...
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Buy and have in hand tomorrow? FInd whatever is available locally.
I avoid anything that's digital. When you read reviews by far that's the suff with the most problems. Either doesn't work right or dies just out of warranty. Get the most basic one you can find.

Re: Battery charger/booster recommendation please [Re: 5thAve] #2933222
06/14/21 02:10 PM
06/14/21 02:10 PM
Joined: Sep 2003
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north of coder
moparx Offline
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i bought a PulseTech Xtreem charger a few months back. it's one of those chargers that's supposed to somewhat de-sulfate the plates by "pulsing" the charge.
it also is good for all types of batteries. i paid around $60.00 for it if i recall.
it seems to work ok. it charged up a dead AMG battery, which really surprised me. that battery had just 0.7v when i hooked it up. it charged up to 13.2v overnight. that didn't last long, as that battery has been sitting for who knows how many years and is junk. however, it's still hovering around 9.8v, even though it is still sitting a couple of months after being charged. i don't know what that really says about the PulseTech charger, but i thought that test was interesting to say the least.
beer

Re: Battery charger/booster recommendation please [Re: 330Scott] #2933364
06/14/21 09:32 PM
06/14/21 09:32 PM
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 15,197
Omaha Ne
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TJP Offline
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Omaha Ne
Do't knw about tomorrow BUT these guys wrote the book on them
BATTERY CAHRGE LINKY< LOTS OF MODELS beer

Re: Battery charger/booster recommendation please [Re: TJP] #2933412
06/15/21 12:34 AM
06/15/21 12:34 AM
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 3,509
Eyewa
330Scott Offline OP
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Damn, I have a headache. What happened to the days when a person could walk into a Sears store and walk out with exactly what you needed. Whether you needed it or not.

There is a lot to these chargers, jump starters, etc. More than I want to know. I just want them to work when I want them to work. Simple request.

On a whim, I called NOCO and before I could even start whining, they offered to replace my GB40 jump starter. For free. Even though it took a dump May 2019 and has been out of warranty a year and a half. But will I trust the replacement? The trashed $1,400 laptop, the time & money spent trying to recover unrecoverable data, the $500 for a crappy HP replacement laptop and especially the aggravation. I'll probably give it a try but will definitely not charge it up with my laptop or car's power outlet. Instead I might sneak over to my neighbors patio and plug it in there. Yeah, that's the ticket.

As for a battery charger, the NOCO Genius 5 looks pretty. I know, I know, NOCO again. But it looks good on paper and I am on a first name basis with customer service. It does have a manual override for those times I leave the ignition switch on for an extended period of time and really drain the battery. Again....

Speaking of which, I eventually did get the car running this afternoon. Sometimes simple things are a real pita, and this was one of those times. I was pretty torqued last night.

But thanks to all who posted and offered some suggestions and insight. I appreciate it.

It is getting late so I had better go check my car one more time before I shut down for the night. Later

Re: Battery charger/booster recommendation please [Re: 330Scott] #2933525
06/15/21 11:55 AM
06/15/21 11:55 AM
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 20,645
So Near, Yet So Far
topside Offline
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So Near, Yet So Far
I like stuff that's uncomplicated with digital or computerized failure points whenever possible.
For a booster I bought a fairly basic Duralast unit from AutoZone, and it's been fine.
Battery tenders: the Schumacher units have been better than others, but I also have a Duralast unit that's been fine. Around $40, IIRC.
Had a Black & Decker tender that failed after a few years.

Re: Battery charger/booster recommendation please [Re: 330Scott] #2934136
06/17/21 07:44 AM
06/17/21 07:44 AM
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 8,162
USA
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360view Offline
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I have a Shumacher SE-60 that is 25+ years old and can boost to 50 amps. It has an analog Voltage scale. I wish it had an amps gauge and have thought about adding an amps gauge for about $30 but tell myself “you can always just clip your Hall Effect AC/DC Fluke onto a wire. Lately I have been plugging the AC cord from the charger into a $22 Kill-A-Watt power meter and watching how the watts decline as full charge is approached.

I also have a Pulsetech Xtreme 4 amp desulphating charger. I really think it helps extend battery life. I like how it is waterproof. I also use the Kill-A-Watt power meter with it. The Xtreme has LEDs for 25%. 50%. 75% and 100% charge. It needs an additional LED for 90% charge IMHO.

(posted from the Brave Browser in iOS which blocks ads great)

Re: Battery charger/booster recommendation please [Re: 360view] #2934231
06/17/21 12:20 PM
06/17/21 12:20 PM
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 16,450
On the run…
BloFish Offline
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Since I have 3 red top Optima batteries, I figured I would try this out. https://www.optimabatteries.com/products/chargers/digital-400
I just got it yesterday and it seems to be working as it should. Time will tell.


It really doesn't matter whether you win or lose…
as long as you look good doing it!

‘65 A100
‘69 ‘Cuda
‘73 Vega GT
‘06 Mega Cab
‘14 Mercedes SLK
Re: Battery charger/booster recommendation please [Re: BloFish] #2934640
06/18/21 06:01 PM
06/18/21 06:01 PM
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 13,544
md
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mopars4ever Offline
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md
I have the Digital 400 and it works great. I originally bought it for my Red top Optima but I use it on everything. I have had it for a few years now.

Last edited by mopars4ever; 06/18/21 06:02 PM.
Re: Battery charger/booster recommendation please [Re: mopars4ever] #2934647
06/18/21 06:24 PM
06/18/21 06:24 PM
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 16,450
On the run…
BloFish Offline
I Live Here
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On the run…
That’s good to hear!


It really doesn't matter whether you win or lose…
as long as you look good doing it!

‘65 A100
‘69 ‘Cuda
‘73 Vega GT
‘06 Mega Cab
‘14 Mercedes SLK
Re: Battery charger/booster recommendation please [Re: 330Scott] #2934873
06/19/21 02:58 PM
06/19/21 02:58 PM
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 268
Va
383S_Fastback Offline
enthusiast
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My trusty Snap-On wheeled charger/booster that was bought used for $100 about 33 years ago finally gave up. I've been looking for an old fashioned manual battery charger that doesn't need to sense voltage to operate so can be used on vehicles w/ dead batteries; has decent amount of amps to start a 5.9 Cummins w/ weak batteries or bench test a starter without worry of charger turning into toast or shorting digital circuits. Unfortunately the days of walking into the local Sears store and being able to choose between a couple decent models are gone. The Associated units posted above look good but are a little pricey for even the most basic model.
From what i see on-line, most if not all digital chargers advertise automatic functions and voltage sensing, but seems if sense voltage is needed it wont be useful for a dead battery or if below the voltage sense threshold needed to start the charging functions. Guess the search continues for something affordable with an override for sense voltage or may end up getting a separate booster for dead batteries and a charger for weak but not dead batteries? shruggy


'67 & '68 Barracuda FB's
'70 AAR Cuda
'89 Ramcharger 4x4
'06 Ram 2500 CTD 6 spd

...Mopars are always way out back
Between the muddy river and the rusty railroad track
Yeah, the Mopars are always hard to find
But you can always find a few
There’s Cordobas and Furys and Darts and Dusters too
There’s a Diplomat with a Swinger
A new Yorker a Demon and a Scamp
And there’s a 68 Barracuda grill with both headlamps...Slaid Cleaves - Skunk Juice
Re: Battery charger/booster recommendation please [Re: 383S_Fastback] #2934876
06/19/21 03:05 PM
06/19/21 03:05 PM
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 10,667
North Dakota
6PakBee Offline
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Posts: 10,667
North Dakota
Something to keep in mind, $100 33 years ago is about $200 today. So for another $50 with free shipping you get a new one? Sounds like a deal to me!

Good Old Fashioned Battery Charger


"We live in a time when intelligent people are being silenced so that stupid people won't be offended".
Re: Battery charger/booster recommendation please [Re: 6PakBee] #2934886
06/19/21 03:34 PM
06/19/21 03:34 PM
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 268
Va
383S_Fastback Offline
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Thanks! That one is built like and has the same features as my deceased Snap-On, they probably manufactured these units and Snap-On sold them under their name. Getting ready to place one on order.


'67 & '68 Barracuda FB's
'70 AAR Cuda
'89 Ramcharger 4x4
'06 Ram 2500 CTD 6 spd

...Mopars are always way out back
Between the muddy river and the rusty railroad track
Yeah, the Mopars are always hard to find
But you can always find a few
There’s Cordobas and Furys and Darts and Dusters too
There’s a Diplomat with a Swinger
A new Yorker a Demon and a Scamp
And there’s a 68 Barracuda grill with both headlamps...Slaid Cleaves - Skunk Juice






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