Battery maintainers

[JohnC]

I’ve got a good old Battery Tender and a Schumacher version and had planned to either get another or try the super cheap-o HF version. The HF is only $7.99 with coupon but girl at the store stays it’s been out of stock for months.

Here are some options I’ve considered:

https://www.amazon.com/NOCO-GENIUS1-Fully-Automatic-Temperature-Compensation/dp/B07W46BX31/ref=mp_s_a_1_1_sspa?crid=IGXHF9CVNOXL&keywords=battery+maintainer&qid=1695355379&sprefix=battery+maintai%2Caps%2C229&sr=8-1-spons&sp_csd=d2lkZ2V0TmFtZT1zcF9waG9uZV9zZWFyY2hfYXRm&psc=1

Pros:
-Has a force charge mode that will manually start charging batteries that are flat dead. I believe that batteries will often need some voltage or else the charger won’t work so this seems like a plus.
-work on AGM and lithium ion batteries.
- supposedly has a mode that deaulfates batteries. Not sure if this is really important or just hype but here’s what they have to say:
“Its advanced battery repair regenerator mode uses slow pulse reconditioner technology to automatically detect battery sulfation and acid stratification, restoring lost battery performance for extended battery life.”
Cons: it’s really only a 1 amp charger so it’s a slow option if the battery is truly low


Option 2:

https://www.amazon.com/Automatic-Maintainer-Temperature-Compensation-Motorcycle/dp/B0B67W12TL/ref=mp_s_a_1_8?crid=IGXHF9CVNOXL&keywords=battery+maintainer&qid=1695355379&sprefix=battery+maintai%2Caps%2C229&sr=8-8

Pros
- also has a desulfator mode
- is an actual battery charger (10amp mode) with a maintainer capability.

cons
- brand-x
-Not for use on lithium batteries (not a big deal since I don’t have any currently)
- I wonder if battery chargers with “float charge” or “maintainer” modes are as safe as dedicated 1 amp maintainers.

These are all really cheap options so price is a wash. This is for a second home and I don’t have a Battery charger there so option 2 seems like a good compromise. But not sure if these brands I’ve never heard of are any good or not


Anyone have any experience with these newer, higher feature maintainers?

There’s alway this option too:

https://www.amazon.com/Schumacher-SC1299-0-75A-Battery-Maintainer/dp/B07895QQBL/ref=mp_s_a_1_11_sspa?crid=IGXHF9CVNOXL&keywords=battery+maintainer&qid=1695358823&sprefix=battery+maintai%2Caps%2C229&sr=8-11-spons&sp_csd=d2lkZ2V0TmFtZT1zcF9waG9uZV9zZWFyY2hfbXRm&psc=1

 

[kmakar]

I did recently buy a 12/24 volt charger/maintainer much like the one you posted as the charger on my scissor lift died and it works just fine. It supposedly can charge any battery type, but with the newer batteries (LiFePO4) most already come with BMS making the battery charger with capabilities to charge LiFePO4 unnecessary.

My brother has 2 of the NOCO and he likes them. He has multiple vehicles and a couple of them aren't used regularly and he keeps them plugged in with the NOCO. I have 4 or 5 of the Schumacher's and they work just fine (they are the .75amp).

I think any of those would be fine.

 

[Shovelrick]

For a 2nd home I'd be a worried about a No Name brand burning down my home, I've had the same 2 Deltran battery tender Jr's on 2 Harleys for roughly 8-10 yrs but they're only maintainers, I did buy a HF Viking charger that I keep on the Chevelle that has a LED/LCD? screen read out and charges AGM's and maint. to 10 amp but I don't think it charges Lith Ion but IIRC it was $40+ even with a coupon, Shumacher's always been an excellent brand of chargers

 

[77cruiser]

I have 2 battery minders 2 amp, 1 for lead acid & 1 for AGM that I bought several years ago, wouldn't buy one now they are over double the price now.
Backup is a 40 year old 6 amp Shumacher.

 

[Chevelle_Nut]

I have 2 battery minders 2 amp, 1 for lead acid & 1 for AGM that I bought several years ago, wouldn't buy one now they are over double the price now.
Backup is a 40 year old 6 amp Shumacher.

I have a Sportsman battery boiler that is about the same age, still works great.