Battery Chargers- What should I be looking for in a new purchase?

I'm looking at buying a new battery charger, so I went on-line to see what was available. Now I'm so confused.

I am looking for something that will do 6 and 12 volt, something that is current sensing and amount of charge required sensing, something that will charge my Optima battery as well as the older lead-acid types. I would like one that would also maintain the battery, as well as charge it.

I have 18 vehicles ranging from a '37 Plymouth to a 2012 Fiat. The problem I am having with this range of vehicles is that my old 10/40/240 Schmacher charger is just not cutting it anymore to keep these batteries up. Because of the use factor, my batteries seem to be dying and at 100 and some a pop, this is become a drain on my pocket.

What are you using?

 

Get yourself a "battery tender". They work great and you can get them to keep more than just one battery fully charged. I use one and really like it.

 

x2 on the CTek. Has brought back a couple of Optimas from the dead for me.

 

Buy the NAPA industrial one. My buddy just replaced his today after 16 years of service in a full time shop.. Best charger for the money!!

 

Anyone hear of a
Noco Genius G3500 Smart Battery Charger?

It's made in China, sells in the US by Amazon and Autozone. Found this one on Ebay:


http://www.ebay.com/itm/NOCO-G3500-...79181?pt=Battery_Chargers&hash=item5d3849308d

 

I do not like the new electronic chargers but that is the only thing you can buy today. They are kind of like the new government approved gas cans. They have to be unsafe and are hard to use.

I always buy a battery charger that will charge six and twelve volts and have a battery boost for starting. I get about two years use out of them. Make sure they are automatic so they will not overcharge the battery.

 

I bought a battery charger years ago and never use it. I have a couple of the sears battery tenders. They often are lost leaders on sales. around 20 bucks on sale. I bought one to use as a tender. I put it on a battery that had been sitting for years. I came back in an hour or two and it showed that it was fully charged. Sure enough it turned the engine over just fine. When I looked at the label it said tender/charger. I did have one go bad after a few years. For 18.95 I just ****canned it and bought another when it went on sale again. Check the sales fliers at Sears. This is a good time of year for them to be on sale.

 

Great info guy's!!!! Thank's

 

The new optima charger looks pretty good as well....

 

i've had a craftsman for about 6 years.