Good manual battery chargers?

[bigcountry78]

Are there any good manual chargers still on the market, or am I going to have to get a used one? I know the smart chargers are finicky about charging a “dead” battery. I have one that I want to try to bring back, as it’s marked 10-22, but is too dead for my smart charger to recognize. My good charger that I usually use let the magic smoke out and gave up, so now I need a replacement.

 

[xm20k]

I connect it via jumper cables to the battery in my ranger and let the alternator charge it up some then stick it on the charger once it's high enough to detect.

I don't know of any non-smart chargers unless bought second hand.

 

[PrairieDrifter]

Schumacher makes some good ones still. Might have to go to the bigger units. I'm sure most of the small homeowner units are all "smart" nowadays. Havent bought one in years because the Schumachers are good.

I use battery tender brand for tenders. They have a nice little metal one that's a little higher amperage.

 

[PrairieDrifter]

Definitely not the same as mine, mine are definitely older now.

https://www.google.com/aclk?sa=L&ai=DChsSEwiOhayx1tmPAxXDNwgFHUixKv4YACICCAEQFRoCbWQ&co=1&gclid=EAIaIQobChMIjoWssdbZjwMVwzcIBR1IsSr-EAQYAiABEgIBX_D_BwE&cce=1&sig=AOD64_1JfpsQ7ZMgsAWeO_sXOkQADuiX3w&ctype=5&q=&ved=2ahUKEwj7haWx1tmPAxVv1fACHe8yJ0cQ5bgDKAB6BAg3EBc&adurl=

Advance Auto Parts - Down for Maintenance

 

[nvrenuf]

Another vote for Schumacher, they’ve been around forever. I’ve got 2 non smart type chargers and they’re great.

 

[xm20k]

I have one old Schumacher left working and not looking forward to spending 200 plus if it ever goes down. Only the start function on it works (75amp) so you can't forget about it, or it'll boil a battery.

 

[hey mister]

I have a Battery Minder. It is a "smart" charger and desulfater. Mine has revived a few batteries over the years.
Mine also recognizes a dead battery, but it will still charge a completely dead battery in a "safety" mode.
And it may take a day or 2 for a full charge to be obtained. But it won't damage the battery trying to bring it back from the dead.
They are not cheap, but I would buy another if something happened to mine. It's probably close to 10 years old.
It charges, AGM's, gell cells, and wet cells.

 

[xm20k]

I have a yellow top Optima in my C10 so AGM that charger that PrairieDrifter linked says it's good for these, so I'll have to look into picking one up.

 

[bigcountry78]

I connect it via jumper cables to the battery in my ranger and let the alternator charge it up some then stick it on the charger once it's high enough to detect.

I don't know of any non-smart chargers unless bought second hand.

I was afraid of that. I’ve used that method before on a golf cart to get the batteries up enough for the auto charger to kick on so I may try that here. I’ll have to check marketplace I guess to see if I can find a good used one.

 

[bigcountry78]

Definitely not the same as mine, mine are definitely older now.

https://www.google.com/aclk?sa=L&ai=DChsSEwiOhayx1tmPAxXDNwgFHUixKv4YACICCAEQFRoCbWQ&co=1&gclid=EAIaIQobChMIjoWssdbZjwMVwzcIBR1IsSr-EAQYAiABEgIBX_D_BwE&cce=1&sig=AOD64_1JfpsQ7ZMgsAWeO_sXOkQADuiX3w&ctype=5&q=&ved=2ahUKEwj7haWx1tmPAxVv1fACHe8yJ0cQ5bgDKAB6BAg3EBc&adurl=

Advance Auto Parts - Down for Maintenance

Those are pricey, more than I want to spend but it may be a good investment.

 

[bigcountry78]

Another idea: I know the local advance auto will charge batteries for you. Does anyone know if their chargers are smart as well, or if they are the bigger ones that will charge anything?

 

[PrairieDrifter]

Those are pricey, more than I want to spend but it may be a good investment.

Buy once cry once buddy. It'll start anything you'll ever need to. My older units havent given me a single issue.

 

[edgephoto]

Schumacher makes a few "normal" battery chargers. The smart chargers have their place but you need a manual charger sometimes.

Associated is another brand that is good and has many types of chargers available.

 

[squaredeal91]

I connect it via jumper cables to the battery in my ranger and let the alternator charge it up some then stick it on the charger once it's high enough to detect.

I don't know of any non-smart chargers unless bought second hand.

You can also trick them by using a known good battery and connect them with jumper cables and it should still charge.

 

[bigcountry78]

I’m still in this boat, paddling in circles lol. Lowe’s has a Schumacher brand in stock, but the reviews are terrible. I wonder if their quality has fallen off? I have a four wheeler battery that the smart charger wouldn’t recognize to kick on. I borrowed an older Schumacher charger this afternoon, and it didn’t hesitate to start cooking my battery. So still looking, but willing to spend some money on a good one this time to have one that will last. And actually charge a battery. I can’t understand the point of a smart charger that’s too dumb to recharge a battery……