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Post by torriem on Jan 7, 2021 18:02:37 GMT -6
This afternoon I ran over my 12V battery charger with my 4WD and now it's quite flat. Any suggestions for a decent replacement? I see a lot of battery chargers these days with digital displays which I definitely don't want. Just want something that is of good quality with a couple of simple analog meters for volts and amps, and a mechanical timer. The flattened model could do 10 amps, 50 amps, and 250 amps. Looking for something kind of similar. I do like having a low amp option. I've never used 6V so don't really need that, and I am not sure I need 24V either.
The unit I had was branded John Deere, and I don't think they sell it anymore. The newer digital models don't seem particularly weather-proof. In fact the Deere branded charger that was in the service truck when the dealer came to do something the other day had a big sticker on it that said "do not leave outside." Doesn't give confidence!
thanks.
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Post by northernfarmer on Jan 7, 2021 18:38:36 GMT -6
Was that a portable charger or one on wheels. I have a JD portable from many years ago and they were a good unit although mine is a 10 amp/ 30 amp/ 200 amp boost and no timer as it drops the voltage/amperage output as the battery charges. A few years ago I bought a schumacher charger to have a second one around and similar rated and yes it does work but I think the leads are aluminum and the leads can get warm which is pretty sad and the clamps are pathetic and the handle on top is a plastic bar, not exactly your high end charger but it was on sale and gives me another unit to have around as I have doubled up chargers to boost something the odd time. The brand that claims to be better and sure have a nice price attached to their units is Associated and will link the website.
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Post by torriem on Jan 7, 2021 18:55:52 GMT -6
It was on wheels. I guess I should say I want to get another unit with wheels. I find the form convenient.
Dropping the amps as it charges would be useful. Can that be done without digital controls?
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Post by northernfarmer on Jan 7, 2021 19:10:33 GMT -6
Both of mine have the old analog gauge and if the battery is in good shape ( or a small battery ) the gauge stays down but if its a drained battery then the needle swings over and you can hear it humming louder too as its charging but again these are portable units and have never used the style on wheels. Mine don't have a voltage gauge, only that rather crude amp gauge. If you have ever looked a the G2S catalog here is what I believe is the link to the Canadian pricing and the page I linked to is for associated although they have some other brands in the catalog as well, gives you some pricing as to just how insanely priced they are. I have a feeling most electrical equipment will have a wet warning although in reality some items will survive where others won't is my assumption.
I looked again at the associated site and looking at the more simpler units as an example, it actually states its UL rated to be safe in any weather, if that means it can handle being out in the rain and not have issues, good question. Here was the unit I had clicked on.
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Post by torriem on Jan 7, 2021 19:14:18 GMT -6
Yeah a voltage gauge probably isn't that useful.
Yeah it looks like there are tons of cheap rubbish chargers, and the very expensive ones!
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Post by torriem on Jan 7, 2021 19:21:57 GMT -6
I like the look of that one you linked to. Nice and simple but rugged.
In the meantime I've salvaged parts out of my flat charger. The transformer is fine, the rectifier is damaged (one of the diodes broke), and the selector knob is broken as well. Timer still works, and the ammeter still okay. Half wonder if I could rebuild it. Maybe using 1/4" steel plate. haha.
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Post by northernfarmer on Jan 7, 2021 19:30:11 GMT -6
There may be one or two others that are close in price but with a few more options, have not looked through them all. I haven't looked online at the century units either as that is the other name that comes up over the years.
I was thinking more like a 1/2 steel wall encasement, in case one drove over it with a cat LOL. Believe me, you are not the first person that has ran over one and a few years ago a friend had showed what he had just done to his wheeled one, boosted the swather I think it was and then promptly forgot the charger was there and ran it right over, now it was totally toast in that case.
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Post by bobofthenorth on Jan 7, 2021 19:53:35 GMT -6
This afternoon I ran over my 12V battery charger with my 4WD and now it's quite flat. Any suggestions for a decent replacement? I see a lot of battery chargers these days with digital displays which I definitely don't want. Just want something that is of good quality with a couple of simple analog meters for volts and amps, and a mechanical timer. The flattened model could do 10 amps, 50 amps, and 250 amps. Looking for something kind of similar. I do like having a low amp option. I've never used 6V so don't really need that, and I am not sure I need 24V either. I'd judge them by weight. Weight is what matters in batteries. Weight matters in welders. My gut says a heavier charger will be a better charger. It isn't usually practical to see what's inside the case but heavier should be better. |
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Post by torriem on Jan 7, 2021 20:33:14 GMT -6
With thin tin used to make things these days, the heaviest part is the transformer. Or have they done away with transformers in favor of high frequency inverter technology like welders have moved to?
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Post by Albertabuck on Jan 7, 2021 22:33:18 GMT -6
Schumacher IMO is one of the best for a half way decent price. I have two different ones, one is 6/12 volt and will boost up to 300 amps. Other is a 12/24 unit.
Both are a few years old, well several actually I guess. That 6/12 one has been used a lot and been one heck of a $300 investment, was on sale thru Coop at New Years two day sale for about 40% off as I recall. The 12/24 come from a sale, handy for things like the Cat ect.
Two things with those style of chargers...they are not rain proof nor do you want to repeatedly use the boost feature and for that matter the very high charge rates, heat is what kills any electrical tool and they are only designed for intermittent use at those higher rates. I seldom ever use mine on anything higher than the 30 amp setting.
The volt gauge is nice as it shows you current battery condition. My 6/12 is the only one that has that and it also has a resistor type battery tester built into it as well which is again handy, lot quicker than pulling out the AVR for a quick test.
An amp gauge will only show you what the charger is putting out.
I suppose the newer ones are all computerized now. I'd have to check to see what models they are.
I also have them both mounted on rubber tired two wheel carts, so nice that way to take them across the yard and more and they take up very little extra space in the shop. Have them mounted to the frame of the carts so if I want, I can pack an extra battery on the bottom plate of the cart to use as a booster.
Also the cart adds a few feet of height lol, easier to notice its still sitting beside something lol.
There are also some brand of US made ones, blue and white, they are expensive but are supposed to be good. Bit of digging should come up with a name, think they have the US flag on them too.
See you guys ahead of me already lol, these be the ones in NF's link to Associated
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Post by bob123 on Jan 7, 2021 23:34:57 GMT -6
You cant beat the big old ones on wheels for boosting but for charging I prefer newer small ones with auto charge shut off.
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Post by SWMan on Jan 8, 2021 1:09:49 GMT -6
I have a Century brand charger that's been bullet-proof for a long time. Also bought a couple at Canadian Tire that have been less than impressive and one quit right away, I'd have to check the brand on that one.
I'm actually looking for one that will do 24V as well as 12, excavator runs 24V system.
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Post by torriem on Jan 8, 2021 12:39:24 GMT -6
Good point about the small chargers, bob123 . Food for thought! Maybe I'll buy a small one and another large one. Can't have too many! As far as failure goes, the only thing on old timer-style chargers that can fail from the heat is the rectifier assembly, and that is replaceable. Heat won't really hurt the transformer, unless it was enough to melt the varnish off the windings (possible with boost). I rarely use boost on battery chargers. In my experience the leads are too small to really be effective. Get more mileage out of the lithium booster pack. As I disassembled what was left of my charger, I noticed that the rectifier is only half wave. That's interesting. Guess it saved on cost and really doesn't matter for battery charging. Does anyone know how they select for current? The transformer appears to have various taps on the input side, which 110v feeds depending on the selector knob position. Wouldn't that change the output voltage also? The output side has four wires that each go to a diode (all to anodes). Perhaps each wire is a tap off the output side? I'm curious about it. Will have to investigate. |
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Post by torriem on Jan 8, 2021 12:57:34 GMT -6
Partially figured it out. There are multiple sets of windings that can be used in parallel to provide more amps. Not quite sure how the output works exactly, but that's the general idea.
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Post by Albertabuck on Jan 8, 2021 18:34:23 GMT -6
Torriem what make was yours? I know there are schematics for some online if you search for them. Other than over using the boost feature, the two things where I have seen guys melt them down is repeatedly high charging dead batteries and continuing to use the machine when the cooling fan fails. And there is a reason I made the comment about them not being water proof, I can't believe how many leave them outside in the rain lol. Did some checking and looks like at least with Schumacher the mechanical ones like mine are discontinued, that sucks. Appears everything now is digital and computerized. The two I have are both in the SF series, 3000 and 8050. The book for the 8050 I bought at Coop that time is stuck in organizer in the shop and I noticed written at the top is the following.... Dec 27 2010, pd 199 on sale, reg 399 That was a good buy. Pd $50 for the other one used. www.batteriesexpert.com/en/chargers-and-jumpstarters/chargers/1013515029-sf-8050-discontinue-voir-sc1326www.batteriesexpert.com/en/chargers-and-jumpstarters/chargers/1013515027-sf-3000-discontinue-voir-sc1352-ou-ewc612-200aI never thought of it but def I use a few different smaller chargers, of course with them its more for charge maintenance or for when I have time to charge a dead battery over nite or such. The two I use most often are one I bought at Home Hardware about 30 years ago, about 12 amp, forget what brand, that has been a good machine. The other is the only one my father ever owned, Varacon 6/12 volt 6 amp from Macleods, that sucker is older than I am and still goes and goes lol. Also have a heavier duty Mac Tools one, built by Allen, 12 volt with three settings, 2 amp, 12 amp and 50 amp high charge or boost. Also has a 12 hour timer and a battery test feature. Ended up with it due to a mistake from Mac's shipping dept. Before I had bought that Home Hardware one, a friend who had a Mac tool truck sold me a simple Mac one, just the basics 6/12 volt nothing special. For whatever reason, Mac sent him this fancy one in a box with the label for the cheap one. I really had wanted a dual voltage one, but when my friend told me what this one was really worth, figured I might as well keep it, and it was that day on my way home I stopped at Home Hardware in Devon and bought the other one lol. Have about three or four others tucked away that come from various stuff at auctions, like anything I guess, I always seem to keep spares around of most things lol. |
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