Decent battery charger

[5030]

That's a good point too, battery disconnect will do away with a lot of those parasitic loses, as long as you aren't leaking across the top of a dirty battery.

I've always been OCD about that stuff so my batteries are always clean on top and no corrosion on the terminals either. I disconnect like I use, I don't believe it would work on a newer tractor with a computer control. I believe the computer has to have power to it all the time. Not sure however.

 

[scootr]

I've always been OCD about that stuff so my batteries are always clean on top and no corrosion on the terminals either. I disconnect like I use, I don't believe it would work on a newer tractor with a computer control. I believe the computer has to have power to it all the time. Not sure however.

I think so - like the new cars. They are collecting and monitoring so much data

 

[bcp]

Bruce

 

[jjeff]

I have a quite a few battery chargers and maintainers, my best and favorite is the old school transformer type Schumacher farm and ranch model with timer with that being said I believe a diodes out on it awaiting motivation to repair, reason I think that is timer shuts off, amp gauge is still lit from battery power unless I disconnect it. One thing I don't like about modern electronic chargers is they won't charge a battery that's completely drained I believe you can't use the jumpstart feature either if it has it.

 

[grsthegreat]

I have a quite a few battery chargers and maintainers, my best and favorite is the old school transformer type Schumacher farm and ranch model with timer with that being said I believe a diodes out on it awaiting motivation to repair, reason I think that is timer shuts off, amp gauge is still lit from battery power unless I disconnect it. One thing I don't like about modern electronic chargers is they won't charge a battery that's completely drained I believe you can't use the jumpstart feature either if it has it.

The NOCO chargers will charge a completely dead battery. They have steps to do it in manual.

 

[Oaktree]

I don't believe it would work on a newer tractor with a computer control. I believe the computer has to have power to it all the time. Not sure however.

Can't see why it wouldn't. All the configuration settings are in non-volatile memory in the computers. It's not like a car radio that'll lose its presets if it loses power. Removing the battery in a modern on-road vehicle doesn't lose odometer, etc.

 

[alaarp]

View attachment 769079
Best charger I have ever had. At 8 amps it's not a fast charger, but certainly an overnight recharge for a dead battery. Also a great maintainer / desulfator, and can maintain multiple batteries.

Battery Minder also makes less expensive 2 amp maintainers that are very popular.

Amazon has this same charger for around $180. Just saying.

 

[alaarp]

I've never had a Schumacher go bad. Some here are from 1992 because I remember buying them. I wouldn't chunk an old one. New ones charge different.

Same here with a Schumacher as long as it is an older model. I ran over mine with my tractor and it still works better than a newer one I tried, just looks kinda sideways. Jumpstarts, trickles, 6v or 12 v.

 

[Catchthedig]

My old (possibly vacuum-tube) charger from Sears works fine (2amp or 10 amp) for the tractor, smaller ones for atv's and dirt bikes. Big problem around here is frequent cold-weather power outages. Will the chargers reverse flow when the power is out ? My JD 950 seems to discharge if I shut it down and leave key installed. even in the the "off" position. So I always take it out. Nothing like a dead battery when your tractor is a half mile out in a soft freshly-plowed field.

 

[deserteagle71]

Will the chargers reverse flow when the power is out ?

Don't know about your old one. But I have 3 chargers and multiple battery maintainers and all of them have circuitry to not allow reverse flow. We have a lot of power outages and internet outages around here also!

 

[Oaktree]

Don't know about your old one. But I have 3 chargers and multiple battery maintainers and all of them have circuitry to not allow reverse flow. We have a lot of power outages and internet outages around here also!

All but one of my chargers are old school...a 12V transformer, a bridge rectifier and maybe a pilot light or ammeter. There may be a tiny bit of back leakage thru the diodes, but nothing that's ever been an issue.
These are all essentially trickle chargers, none will put out more than a couple amps. To prevent overcharging when being used as a maintainer I just put 'em on a timer, power on only 3-4 hr/day.
I have a lithium jump pack for when I need that functionality.

 

[John_Mc]

No need to put modern smart chargers on a timer - at least not the good brands like BatteryMINDer, NOCO, and some others. You can just hook them up and forget them, leaving them attached for months.

 

[Pixguy]

When I head south for 4 months every winter I hook up 6 Schumacher trickle chargers and I've never had a problem. 2 cars, 2 snowmobiles that are on 12 months, my tractor and my rider mower. All good.

 

[tacticalturnip]

I've been quite happy with this Harbor Freight staple...

Harbor Freight Tools – Quality Tools at Discount Prices Since 1977

Harbor Freight buys their top quality tools from the same factories that supply our competitors. We cut out the middleman and pass the savings to you!

www.harborfreight.com

 

[1Mech]

I've been quite happy with this Harbor Freight staple...

Harbor Freight Tools – Quality Tools at Discount Prices Since 1977

Harbor Freight buys their top quality tools from the same factories that supply our competitors. We cut out the middleman and pass the savings to you!

www.harborfreight.com

I bought one of those a few years ago, when my main heavy duty charger disappeared, (ended up in my neighbors garage, I guess we both forgot he borrowed it)
Anyway, the Harbor Freight one I bought is of rather low quality. It works, but if I put it on high charge, the needle jumps all over. I can only use it in 2 or 10 amp setting.
I found an older Schumacher my father in law had, it works great.
Often a good older model can be found for cheap at yard / estate sales.

 

[tacticalturnip]

I'm not surprised that quality would vary from individual item to individual item, lol.