questions on shelf 12 volt battery chargers?

[bob r]

Looking to replace my sears battery charger, it has an automatic setting as well as manual. Had it for almost 40 years, got it at a yard sale for $20. It hasn't toasted any deep cycle batteries but it didn't put out any voltage on the auto setting when I put it on a brand new Cabelas deep cycle recently, maybe the battery came at full charge, but I don't think that it would be full enough to switch off the auto setting.Battery new reads 12.7 volts. When put on manual charger puts out 12+ volts. I'll hook it up to our car battery later on to see if the auto setting is toast. I was thinking of getting a new one anyway, looking at a Schumacher for $33.It has a setting for deep cycle, don't need to crank a dead battery so I don't need a high amp unit. I am nervous about leaving a battery hooked up even on a battery tender or trickle setting, wouldn't recharging once a month or so when not used be the best for long life span? I know it's best to recharge them right after use and not drain it below 50%. Any thoughts on shumacher chargers, quality wise? I know you can spend a small fortune on different units, would like to keep it reasonable, price-wise. Don't know if the trickle charge setting on chargers is the same as "float" setting or deep cycle setting, but I understand electronics so technical advice is appreciated. Battery was a great deal, norm. $149, with doorbuster special and coupon got it for $79. Bob R

 

[SuperD]

On your old unit, does "auto" have a couple of voltage settings? Automatic chargers are built to go on and off based on resistance. Some times with both a nearly full and super drained batteries, the 12v setting doesn't work real well. If you can set the charge to 2v or 6v auto, you should get a more complete charge. Did you buy a new battery with wet cell or an AGM? Old chargers are likely not smart enough if you went AGM.

 

[bob r]

Thanks for quick reply, SD, I bought a wet cell, type 27, 575 C.C.A., pretty herky unit. I tried the sears charger in auto on the car, it still works. It has a current meter on the front, when in auto mode it will show the meter barely bouncing, almost hard to see when battery is relativly full. The new batery must have a really full charge as the meter doesn't even move at this point. I am still looking for some advice on whether a new charger with dedicated deep cycle setting will prolong battery life or is what I am using as good as it gets? Bob R

 

[SuperDaveMT]

Does anybody know if the high dollar, multi-stage chargers that supposedly desulfinate as well as charge the battery are worth the extra bucks? Also, I too have a 35+ year old sears charger and am looking at going to a optima battery system (AGM) - will I need a new charger? I had hoped to go to 2 6 volt golf cart batteries, but I think they are going to be too tall to fit under the front deck.

 

[SuperD]

Does anybody know if the high dollar, multi-stage chargers that supposedly desulfinate as well as charge the battery are worth the extra bucks? Also, I too have a 35+ year old sears charger and am looking at going to a optima battery system (AGM) - will I need a new charger? I had hoped to go to 2 6 volt golf cart batteries, but I think they are going to be too tall to fit under the front deck.

Dave, weight should also be a consideration for you with the golf cart batteries. My buddy put a couple of giants in the bow and I swear the boat sits nose down in the water. Are you thinking about an on the shelf charger or an onboard charger?

 

[mrmike]

I have purchased the optimia batteries IMOP really felt I didn't get the extra value I paid for.At present I just installed a bow mount mini kota 101and the technician strongly advised do to the bow weight with 36 volt system (3) batterries to go with the oddessies they were exspensive but running my electric I haven't used more than 1quarter of my power in a full day on the water.Just like super D advise that weight up front is a big factor. Hope this might help.

 

[bob r]

Does anybody know if the high dollar, multi-stage chargers that supposedly desulfinate as well as charge the battery are worth the extra bucks? Also, I too have a 35+ year old sears charger and am looking at going to a optima battery system (AGM) - will I need a new charger? I had hoped to go to 2 6 volt golf cart batteries, but I think they are going to be too tall to fit under the front deck.

I think that the old sears charger will not work properly for AGM batteries. That being said I am STILL looking for answers on orig. questions about battery chargers. Are battery tenders worth the money or will charging a battery once a month cover the continual slow drain of it sitting there? And are the newer generation of chargers worth the extra cash? Will they extend battery life? Bob R