Best battery charger? - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

Sillyoldman · 04-12-2014, 08:33 PM

It's time to replace my old Century charger. I'd like 6/12v , 2-10-50 with Marine, AGM & Gel charging capabilities. Not sure whats out there these days, does this contraption exist?

**oldiron** · 04-13-2014, 03:59 AM

Check Interstate Batteries, Grainger or Pacific Batteries. That if there is any supply warehouses down there.

BossHogg69 · 04-14-2014, 02:29 PM

I got one of these: http://www.batterychargers.com/Produ...tName=94026976 from my local Interstate Batteries store. They recommended it as Schumacher's top notch charger. It's the XC103. I was suprised at how compact it was for the power it has.

ERASER5 · 04-14-2014, 04:36 PM

Didn't you work at a battery place?

Sillyoldman · 04-19-2014, 10:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ERASER5

Didn't you work at a battery place?

Ya but they did not make/sell chargers. I'd never buy from them bee-stards again. Good products, maybe even the best but the guy I worked for was a horrible person.

ERASER5 · 04-22-2014, 08:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sillyoldman

Ya but they did not make/sell chargers. I'd never buy from them bee-stards again. Good products, maybe even the best but the guy I worked for was a horrible person.

I see. Bee-stards huh? Sounds like you got stung a few times.

Sillyoldman · 04-19-2014, 10:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BossHogg69

I got one of these: http://www.batterychargers.com/Produ...tName=94026976 from my local Interstate Batteries store. They recommended it as Schumacher's top notch charger. It's the XC103. I was suprised at how compact it was for the power it has.

I'm digging that! Thanks for posting

BR3W CITY · 04-23-2014, 07:25 PM

Be careful when hunting for one. I had an Optima die prematurely on me one year, and I couldn't figure out WHY. It had been on an "onboard" maintenance charger from NAPA, which had always worked just fine before.
Then I found out that Optima wants a 1 AMP charge, which is extremely low. Most "snap" chargers are 2,5,10a and many maintenance chargers are 1.5-5a....which made it pretty annoying knowing a 1a was the recommended size.

I just stopped using the maintenance charger on the optima. Instead, I make sure the truck runs long enough on its "last voyage" for the year to get a full charge, then I disconnect it and keep it up off the floor. If you watch my Startup Video on my channel, it fires over first try with an Optima Blue that sat for about 6 months.

**truckdude239** · 04-24-2014, 08:06 AM

sitting on the floor has no effect on them any more my redtop sat on the floor for over 8 months and she started right up.

but i have one of these for my normal batterys and a small2 amp for my optimas

BR3W CITY · 05-03-2014, 05:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by truckdude239

sitting on the floor has no effect on them any more my redtop sat on the floor for over 8 months and she started right up.

but i have one of these for my normal batterys and a small2 amp for my optimas

Yes and No.
You live in a MUCH warmer climate. Since Optima/AGM batteries are still lead-acid, the chemical reacting is still vulnerable to temperature, slowing the galvanic reaction. When you put a battery on the floor, the concrete become an area of low heat load, while comparatively the battery is "warm". The floor will draw any remaining warmth from the battery, slowing the reaction further.

IF you were to try and start something off of that battery, it would probably be dead. HOWEVER, if you let that same battery come back up to a more stable temperature, it may function again like normal...since the heat load is allowed to stay around the battery.

There is no Temperature known as cold, cold is only the absence of heat load.

cdowns · 04-24-2014, 09:01 AM

i've had a battery charger that i got from sears a reasonable price and it's goin on 25years old without a problem

NONHOG · 04-24-2014, 11:30 AM

Pretty sure I have an extra you can have till you get one you want.
Not so sure you didn't give it to me few years back?

Also have that Interstate connection if needed.

Sillyoldman · 04-26-2014, 01:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NONHOG

Pretty sure I have an extra you can have till you get one you want.
Not so sure you didn't give it to me few years back?

Also have that Interstate connection if needed.

No need now. I took apart the old one and made an obvious fix after I dropped it. I may still look for a AGM/Marine/Wet cell charger though.

04-12-2014, 08:33 PM	#1
Sillyoldman #16876 Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Auburn WA Posts: 12,266	Best battery charger? It's time to replace my old Century charger. I'd like 6/12v , 2-10-50 with Marine, AGM & Gel charging capabilities. Not sure whats out there these days, does this contraption exist? __________________ Posted via Stationary Device '71 Custom Deluxe C-20 402. '67 Buick Special 455. '49 Plymouth Special Deluxe. *"I love that old car smell"* *Some people are like Slinkies... not really good for anything, but they still bring a smile to your face when you push them down a flight of stairs.*

04-13-2014, 03:59 AM	#2
oldiron Designated Grumpy Old Man Join Date: Oct 2001 Location: arlington, washington usa Posts: 3,094	Re: Best battery charger? Check Interstate Batteries, Grainger or Pacific Batteries. That if there is any supply warehouses down there. __________________ Never let the truth get in the way of a good story 71 Chev 1/2 ton 4X4 LWB Fleetside SOLD http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=361222 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1LgREwtDfaA 68 Chev 1 ton flat bed http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0bO8szzlD4A 56 Chev Handyman Wagon http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9y-6ddpBTkM http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lbLzZ7zY8wA 56 Chev Belair http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=410667 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xoW0Ei7ZNIg

04-14-2014, 02:29 PM	#3
BossHogg69 motor exploder Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Pittsburgh, PA Posts: 2,346	Re: Best battery charger? I got one of these: http://www.batterychargers.com/Produ...tName=94026976 from my local Interstate Batteries store. They recommended it as Schumacher's top notch charger. It's the XC103. I was suprised at how compact it was for the power it has. __________________ Adam 1969 Chevy CST/10 stepside, DART Big M/TREMEC Magnum Extreme/3.73's w/Detroit Truetrac 1965 Chevy Bel Air Wagon (daily driver), 327/TH350,10 bolt w/3.08's 1961 Chevy Bel Air Sport Coupe, ZZ454/M21/9" rear w/3.50's & Detroit Truetrac 2005 GMC 1500 ccsb 2wd, 6.0L/4L65e/3.73 G80 2006 GMC 2500HD ccsb 4x4, DMax LBZ/Allison 6spd/4.56's w/Detroit TrueTrac Use the SEARCH function on this forum - it is your friend!!

04-14-2014, 04:36 PM	#4
ERASER5 Registered User Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Indiana Posts: 4,859	Re: Best battery charger? Didn't you work at a battery place? __________________ '70 GMC C1500 LWB Power disc brakes. WooHoo! Posi 6 Lug Dana 60

04-23-2014, 07:25 PM	#8
BR3W CITY meowMEOWmeowMEOW Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: MKE WI Posts: 7,128	Re: Best battery charger? Be careful when hunting for one. I had an Optima die prematurely on me one year, and I couldn't figure out WHY. It had been on an "onboard" maintenance charger from NAPA, which had always worked just fine before. Then I found out that Optima wants a 1 AMP charge, which is extremely low. Most "snap" chargers are 2,5,10a and many maintenance chargers are 1.5-5a....which made it pretty annoying knowing a 1a was the recommended size. I just stopped using the maintenance charger on the optima. Instead, I make sure the truck runs long enough on its "last voyage" for the year to get a full charge, then I disconnect it and keep it up off the floor. If you watch my Startup Video on my channel, it fires over first try with an Optima Blue that sat for about 6 months. __________________ *'66 Short Step / SD Tuned / Big Cam LQ4 / Backhalfed /Built 4l80e / #REBUILDEVERYTHING* MY BUILD THE H8RDCPTR //\\ MY YOUTUBE CHANNEL REV J HD

04-24-2014, 08:06 AM	#9
truckdude239 Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Lewisville, Nc Posts: 10,237	Re: Best battery charger? sitting on the floor has no effect on them any more my redtop sat on the floor for over 8 months and she started right up. but i have one of these for my normal batterys and a small2 amp for my optimas Attached Images __________________ David fuller Ase Certified Mechanic Click here to help support our board!! 1971 Chevy c-10 under going a 4.8l LSx swap Build Thread http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=421305 2007 Honda Accord my daily 145kmiles 2002 Honda Accord 4 door With 330k(sisters car) 2005 toyota Avalon 228k( brothers car) 2002 Sububran 5.3 245k 2000 Tahoe 5.3l 378 General manager for Marco's Carwash & lube

04-24-2014, 09:01 AM	#11
cdowns Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: daytonabeach Posts: 22,956	Re: Best battery charger? i've had a battery charger that i got from sears a reasonable price and it's goin on 25years old without a problem __________________ 71c-10 350/2004r/4:11 lowered3/4 longbed/dead by hurricane MEANING OF DEATH::::: SOMEBODY ELSE GETS YOUR STUFF DONT BELIEVE EVERYTHING YOU THINK TAKE MY ADVISE;I DON'T USE IT ANYWAY

04-24-2014, 11:30 AM	#12
NONHOG Registered User Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Marana, Arizona Posts: 3,455	Re: Best battery charger? Pretty sure I have an extra you can have till you get one you want. Not so sure you didn't give it to me few years back? Also have that Interstate connection if needed. __________________ "I feel the need for speed!"... as soon as I am done with my nap.



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