Quality on-board float charger?

[FlyFishn]

What are some of you running for a quality on-board float charger/maintainer?

 

[Too many Kubotas]

I'm using primarily BatteryMINDer and PulseTech products.

Not as on-board, but still. On some batteries I have on-board desulfation units, though. Canadus and PulseTech.

 

[Runner]

I have been happy with Battery Tender brand maintainers.

 

[RjCorazza]

My vote goes to the various BatteryMinder chargers. I have one with a splitter that maintains my diesel mowers off season, one for the tractor, one for the truck, and lastly...a 48v desulfator for the cart.

 

[Quaffer]

Costco recently had their $70 5 amp battery tenders for $50 and I stocked up. Lead acid and lithium compatible. 6 or 12V

 

[mrmikey]

I have been happy with Battery Tender brand maintainers.

Same here, got a couple 750ma maintainers and a 5A charger/maintainer sounds like the same one Quaffer mentioned. I used to swear by Schumacher but I had one fry a new battery on my bike as did the replacement one and the communication by the company was zero so no more.

 

[MapleLeafFarmer]

I've been buying NOCO Genius2D for onboard chargers, maintainer, desulfication as well.
They have many different sizes, some with multi banks, and on board ones come with eyelets vs clamps.
Well rated and haven't let me down yet. Oldest one have though is only about 2 years old?

 

[Too many Kubotas]

I've been buying NOCO Genius2D for onboard chargers, maintainer, desulfication as well.

Be careful with the high voltage desulfation maintainers. The high frequency ones can be used with the battery connected to late model computerized things and not hurt a thing.

 

[MapleLeafFarmer]

Be careful with the high voltage desulfation maintainers. The high frequency ones can be used with the battery connected to late model computerized things and not hurt a thing.

something I new nothing about.

A little on line research shows the NOCO Genius2D that we are using seem to put out pulses 6x / hr in the 13.2V to 14.9V range to desulfate the plates. Also says the charger doesn't float charge the battery but shuts off completely when voltage target reached.

Seems like this is safe range not near the 60v unsafe range.

Does this seem correct or should I get the boys to stop using them?

 

[Too many Kubotas]

As I recall I measured well over 20 volts when my NOCO spiked.

And I don't think that 13.3 to 14.9 volts would do anything to get rid of sulfation. If so, just driving my late model cars would automatically desulfate my batteries since that's normal charging voltages for them.

 

[FlyFishn]

My vote goes to the various BatteryMinder chargers. I have one with a splitter that maintains my diesel mowers off season, one for the tractor, one for the truck, and lastly...a 48v desulfator for the cart.

This one looks similar to what I am thinking:

BatteryMINDer® Model 1215C: 12V 1.5 AMP Convertible Onboard or Benchtop Charger-Maintainer-Desulfator

BatteryMINDers' desulfating battery charger maintainers fully charge without ever overcharging, no matter how long they are left connected. Visit our website to browse our available products.

www.batteryminders.com

However, I am not quite following the product line. This charger/maintainer/desulfator is less expensive than a stand alone monitor/desulfator. That doesn't make a whole lot of sense to me.

At the end of the day I want something I can plug in that is going to reliably maintain the tractor battery. If these have the ability to prolong/extend the battery life - even better.

My intent is to install it on the tractor. I don't need to move it. We have other high powered chargers around if we need a "charge" or "start", and other batteries sitting have maintainers. So there really isn't a need for this one to "move" once installed.

 

[lman]

I've got a few of these Noco maintainers. I've never used the desulfator mode. I have no complaints and it looks like Nocos are not quite as much money.

Amazon.com

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[Whittsend]

I've been using a solar charger and have been very pleased with them.

Voltset 12V Solar Battery Charger - 20W Waterproof Solar Panel Kit with Smart MPPT Controller​

 

[Too many Kubotas]

This one looks similar to what I am thinking:

BatteryMINDer® Model 1215C: 12V 1.5 AMP Convertible Onboard or Benchtop Charger-Maintainer-Desulfator

BatteryMINDers' desulfating battery charger maintainers fully charge without ever overcharging, no matter how long they are left connected. Visit our website to browse our available products.

www.batteryminders.com

However, I am not quite following the product line. This charger/maintainer/desulfator is less expensive than a stand alone monitor/desulfator. That doesn't make a whole lot of sense to me.

I have quite a few late model BatteryMINDers that were on sale for about $20, and are in use 24/7 on vehicles that are seldom driven. Some of my 'MINDers are around 30 years old by now.

And yes, my Canadus desulfators were over $200 a piece, but they sure work well.