I’ve been researching/looking for a new battery charger - Advice please

Which one is best?

  • Buy the Schumacher SC1281

    Votes: 0 0.0%

  • Buy the Schumacher SC1308

    Votes: 0 0.0%

  • Buy CTEK

    Votes: 0 0.0%

  • Buy a Pro Logix by Clore

    Votes: 1 100.0%
  • Total voters
    1
  • Poll closed .
tallhair

tallhair

Rufus T. Firefly
Staff member
Joined
May 12, 2013
Messages
10,306
Reaction score
4,647
Location
Mascoutah, Illinois
I’ve been researching/looking for a new battery charger and can’t seem to find one that does most types of batteries, 6 and 12 V, lead, gel, etc and has enough Amps to start a car with dead battery, and does battery maintenance/ trickle and doesn’t have negative reviews warning that it quits working/defective, or overcharges batteries.

Maybe those negative comments are from people using them incorrectly, but thought can’t hurt to ask you guys before buying.

Have been looking at the Schumacher SC1281 and SC1308, I haven’t figured out why the 1308 is $25 more, and charges less battery types than the SC1281.

Also seeing a lot of ads etc for CTEK chargers.

Links are Amazon but probably will buy from a box store so maybe a return will be easier if it breaks after 30 days
:confused:


https://www.amazon.com/Schumacher-S...er+1308+battery+charger&qid=1614786589&sr=8-3


[URL]https://www.amazon.com/Schumacher-SC1281-Automatic-Battery-Charger/dp/B07BLLRM8R/ref=sr_1_3?dchild=1&keywords=Schumacher+1308&qid=1614798297&s=automotive&sr=1-3[/URL]

Most reviews were good but Saw some reviews that said it didn’t switch to trickle and started cooking batteries. Made me a little nervous.

What brand/models do you prefer?
 
My experience with a Schumacher hasn't been the best.

Being more careful than most (at least so I think), I would expect a good battery charger to last a lifetime. The cheap Sears version that got tossed around last a couple decades, so I expected the Schumacher to be in the estate sale, if you know what I mean. First thing that went was the meter. then the clips have have to be recrimped back on the wire that has broken off every other year or so... Now it's just given up and does not fast charge at all. I had the cover off and it appears very cheaply made internally.

Contrast it with the back up that hangs on the wall of unknown brand that was old when I was a kid... that has no bells and whistles that still works.

So... What would I buy now? My Battery Tender trickle chargers have worked well and I think they offer a 15 amp charger. The Schumacher was disappointing at best and quite frankly, looking at it internally, just as cheap as anything I'd buy off the shelf at Harbor Freight, with at least HF having a lower price. Wouldn't surprise me if they were made by the same people in China anyway... I might actually just say screw it and buy one there.
 
@Toolmanmike and I think the price difference may be the float tech in the 1308, don’t see it listed for the 1281.

Will start researching other brands I guess. I have an ancient roll around at the other house, Sears I think. Still trucking. Has a timer too but I don’t leave it unattended.
 
Toolmanmike said:
These Clore chargers are really good. I sold a bunch of them that were MAC Tools branded. I have one and it works well. It doesn't have any boost feature though. (which I don't use anyway) https://www.amazon.com/Clore-Automotive-PL2320-Battery-Maintainer-20/dp/B007ESQW08
Click to expand...

Thanks Mike,

Looks like a good one that came out in 2012, which may be a good thing.

In trickle does it provide a constant trickle charge or does it “float” the charge? Read that trickle can eventually damage the battery. Also that if power went out it won’t come back on. I read the Amazon info, and watched this pretty good review they mentioned battery management and trickle, but didn’t go into detail but I’m no expert.

They did say you can override and charge a zero charge battery.


 
tallhair said:
Thanks Mike,

Looks like a good one that came out in 2012, which may be a good thing.

In trickle does it provide a constant trickle charge or does it “float” the charge? Read that trickle can eventually damage the battery. Also that if power went out it won’t come back on. I read the Amazon info, and watched this pretty good review they mentioned battery management and trickle, but didn’t go into detail but I’m no expert.

They did say you can override and charge a zero charge battery.


Click to expand...

I think the trickle floats If I remember correctly. If the power goes out you will need to restart it. Any of the electronic chargers should be like that I would think. The override is good. The first batch didn't have that feature. I sent a few back thinking they didn't work. LOL
 
Thanks again Mike.

I think I’ll just go ahead and get one. From your recommendation and reviews it seems like its a good unit and customer service is really good.
 
tallhair said:
Thanks again Mike.

I think I’ll just go ahead and get one. From reviews it seems like their a good unit and customer service is really good.
Click to expand...
Clore made our jumper packs as well. They were gold!
 
Just to throw this in, I bought the Schumacher 1308 a few years ago. I don't have any real complaints about it other than it might be a little delicate. Mine took one tumble to the ground from the height of my New Yorkers radiator/grill area and now something is broke loose inside, but it still works.

Also, I'm not one to leave a charger running unattended for very long. So that's how much faith I have in it. But it does its job of charging batteries.
 
Toolmanmike said:
I think the trickle floats If I remember correctly. If the power goes out you will need to restart it. Any of the electronic chargers should be like that I would think. The override is good. The first batch didn't have that feature. I sent a few back thinking they didn't work. LOL
Click to expand...

I pulled the trigger.

Found this in the owners manual

8FD889CB-7022-4238-9B86-65FB88558373.png
 
Big_John said:
That's a good price point too.

Hmmm.....
Click to expand...


I decided against the Schumacher based on your comment about the wiring. I’d seen another comment elsewhere about crappy wiring and you confirmed. Obviously I value your input more than a random commenter elsewhere.

Much appreciated John
 
FYI It came today and seems to be working as intended.

Get them while you can. The battery is at 75% now.

Started at 0%

About 3 hrs in on 20 amps.
 
tallhair said:
FYI It came today and seems to be working as intended.

Get them while you can. The battery is at 75% now.

Started at 0%
Click to expand...
Good to hear. I think you will be happy with that one.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

Carmine
Advice thread for newbies to the old car hobby.
2
Replies
26
Views
3K
darth_linux
darth_linux
C
  • Poll
Chads Yellow Polara thread, New dual exhaust, wheels on!Yee!
6 7 8
Replies
141
Views
20K
tbm3fan
tbm3fan
Back
Top