The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area The Tool Chest Battery Chargers

Now that my new electrolysis tank is done, Im thinking about purchasing a bigger, better battery charger. Preferably one with 6 and 12 volt capability and covering a fair-large range of amperage. The last one I got at the flaps Im not to happy with as it works sporadically.

Whats your experience? Who to avoid and where you got yours?

Thanks, Jeff

I prefer simple, old and funky, what's best for a battery charger isn't really what's best for electrolysis - you have to be careful you don't get one that uses feedback from the battery to operate, they don't make good power supplies

Bill

Try Tractor Supply....but even they have some junk. The better ones will cost more but will probably out last all of us!

Jeff,

At work I have a Solar wheeled unit that has 12/6 volt cabablilites with a 200 amp boost mode and several other setting, maybe 100, 40 20 and 10. It isn't a automatic type, but a timed charger.

At home I have a dinky fully automatic charger that doesn't put out tons of current, but you can hook it up and forget about it...it's smarter than I am.

Northern Tool carries Schumacher brand chargers. I am seriously looking at a wheeled charger that is like the one I have at work. The typical scenario is you go to start something and it is low or dead in the juice department. All you really want is a quick boost to get it going, and this charger would do that.

Stuart

I'm a bit leary of Sshumakers, thei'r quality hasn't een very good tha last few years. Especially since they stopped manufacture at the Hoopston plant. They supply our chargers, seems that we warrantee out as many as we sell, they just up and stop putting out the proper voltage.
I recently got a Battery Tender + (well, it's a "Blue Point" from the Snap-On dealer), I'm pleased with it so far, although it hasn't got my Optima fully charged yet. I suspect a problem with the battery itself, though, as it got very deeply discharged.

I dunno if you have Princess Auto store with powerfist brand in the States but I got a 2 or 15A 6/12V starter/charger and it is a POS! I exchanged it and the second one is no better, and the thng cost me $100! (Princess Auto is like Union Freight (?) i think.)

I purchased an Exide Charger (has wheels) yrs ago ..for like 80$ ...it has 2amp, 40amp, and 100amp jump start...has worked like a champ for as long as I have owned it ..Highly Recommended as a GREAT part of your shop tools!
2amps great for lawnmowers, motorcycles,anything around the house
40amps for vehicles.
100amps for stubborn vehicles ..lol
Tim

You will need a manual battery charger for your electrolysis tank. I like the chargers with a manual/auto switch.
An auto charger can't charge a completely discharged battery. I think the battery needs to be at about 4 volts (on a 12v battery) before an automatic charger works.
If I have a really dead battery I have to charge it in manual mode for awhile to bring it up to the point where an auto charge will begin working.