I need a new battery charger, and not sure on what to get. Black and Decker has a few interesting ones, just not sure if they are worth getting. I here Ctek makes some good ones, but they are very expensive. Any thoughts on a good battery charger?

__________________
1999 Toyota Corolla VE (Mine)
2006 Honda Odyssey (Wife's)
1979 300CD (sold)

http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/displayitem.taf?Itemnumber=66783

__________________
1977 300d 70k--sold 08
1985 300TD 185k+
1984 307d 126k--sold 8/03
1985 409d 65k--sold 06
1984 300SD 315k--daughter's car
1979 300SD 122k--sold 2/11
1999 Fuso FG Expedition Camper
1993 GMC Sierra 6.5 TD 4x4
1982 Bluebird Wanderlodge CAT 3208--Sold 2/13

I am thinking this one:
http://www.lowes.com/lowes/lkn?action=productDetail&productId=284083-46965-VEC1087CBD&lpage=none

But this one looks better:
http://www.griotsgarage.com/product/car+maintenance/battery+care/battery+manager+iv.do

__________________
1999 Toyota Corolla VE (Mine)
2006 Honda Odyssey (Wife's)
1979 300CD (sold)

Those both have float mode, which is important to fully top off the charge. Cheaper chargers tend to lack this mode.

I don't know if the desulphating mode would help so much with a modern battery, but it probably can't hurt.

Or this one:
http://www.crutchfield.com/p_088US3300/CTEK-MULTI-US-3300-Battery-Charger.html?search=ctek&ssi=0

__________________
1999 Toyota Corolla VE (Mine)
2006 Honda Odyssey (Wife's)
1979 300CD (sold)

Here's your charger.

Basic and will last 20 years.........and will do everything you need.

http://www.sears.com/shc/s/p_10153_12605_02871222000P?keyword=Battery+charger


The Black and Decker might be an alternative, but I'd never buy anything from B & D............guaranteed to last NMT three years.

The other two are just bells and whistles...........forget 'em.

I've got one of those. Works fine.

__________________
1977 300d 70k--sold 08
1985 300TD 185k+
1984 307d 126k--sold 8/03
1985 409d 65k--sold 06
1984 300SD 315k--daughter's car
1979 300SD 122k--sold 2/11
1999 Fuso FG Expedition Camper
1993 GMC Sierra 6.5 TD 4x4
1982 Bluebird Wanderlodge CAT 3208--Sold 2/13

Float mode is not your average bell or whistle, and that Sears model lacks it. You should have one charger with a float mode, but a trickle charger is enough for that job. Float mode is very low current.

I think I am going to go for the Black and Decker, I will get it in a few weeks when I can get a very nice discount at work.
I had/have one similar to that Sears model, which I have seemed to misplace when I moved in September. I just thought I would try something new...

__________________
1999 Toyota Corolla VE (Mine)
2006 Honda Odyssey (Wife's)
1979 300CD (sold)

Don't need a "float mode".

Charge it at 6A overnight and it's perfect. The charger will reduce the supplied current by design as the battery voltage increases. A fully charged battery will charge at about .5A.......the charger and the battery voltage are nearly identical.

Another bell that you pay for..........and do not require.


I realized that the charger referenced has a 2A mode. You'll never overcharge a battery with this charging level. My own Sears charger...........20 years old........only has 6A charge capability..........no more and no less. Charge overnight. Done.

Not to hijack, but I was going to post my own question about battery chargers.

I have had a Schumacher - something like - this for many years.

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B000BO8TTY/ref=asc_df_B000BO8TTY967691?smid=ATVPDKIKX0DER&tag=googlecom09c9-20&linkCode=asn&creative=380341&creativeASIN=B000BO8TTY

I recently reversed polarity briefly when I was charging something. After the sparks subsided, the "charge meter" stopped working.

I was going to toss the charger but opened it up first. The charge meter is not connected to anything - the positive lead runs through a little tube behind the meter but doesn't make any electrical contact! How does this work?

On testing the charger - it is putting out 12VDC.

So I assume the charger is still functional, but the meter is blown.

Questions - any thought on how this charge meter works as it is not being connected electrically to anything?

I assume the charger should be usable - correct?

I have a charger that did the same thing. After a while the charging lights started functioning again.

__________________
1977 300d 70k--sold 08
1985 300TD 185k+
1984 307d 126k--sold 8/03
1985 409d 65k--sold 06
1984 300SD 315k--daughter's car
1979 300SD 122k--sold 2/11
1999 Fuso FG Expedition Camper
1993 GMC Sierra 6.5 TD 4x4
1982 Bluebird Wanderlodge CAT 3208--Sold 2/13

That's fine for a battery that you're going to use the next day. If you're putting a battery into storage (winterizing your car or boat), float mode will extend the battery life.

But certainly, there is little need for a charger that provides both a 10A charge and a float mode. A float-mode trickle charger is sufficient.

Agreed.

I believe that most folks need a charger to immediately restore a weak or dead battery. Keeping one alive over an extended time period is a different application.

I suppose that you can purchase the combined capability if you really require it.

I have a Century 10/2/55 charger I bought at Costco for about $60. It has all of the afore mentioned features plus a 6V mode and reverse polarity safety feature. I've used it extensively for about 5 years now and it works great.