Float charger
Thread Starter
Safety Car
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 4,147
Likes: 452
From: Port St. Lucie West Florida
Float charger
I am planning to purchase a charger for my battery as I only use the car once a week.Harbor freight has an automatic battery float charger by cen-tech on sale for $4.99 any comments on this type of charger? Negative or positive and could this cook the battery if left on too long? Thank you
Race Director
Joined: Aug 2007
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From: Whitefish Falls Ontario
St. Jude Donor '08-'09
Read the pros and cons here.. http://www.harborfreight.com/automat...ger-42292.html
Same unit, might be a case of buy cheap get cheap.. Two main points, they are to maintain a battery only not charge a discharged battery, and do not leave connected and unplugged, that will discharge your battery. If you buy one of these check the voltage with it connected, should not be more than 13.2v IIRC..
Same unit, might be a case of buy cheap get cheap.. Two main points, they are to maintain a battery only not charge a discharged battery, and do not leave connected and unplugged, that will discharge your battery. If you buy one of these check the voltage with it connected, should not be more than 13.2v IIRC..
Last edited by ccrazor; Nov 7, 2012 at 10:43 PM.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 8,170
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From: Eugene Oregon
I believe in the Beer Fairy
St. Jude Donor '15,'19
I bought one of these Multi US models from CTEK and it was worth every penny. It has alot of great features and I just plug it in whenever I am not driving and I dont have to worry about it. Watch the Youtube video link below. BTW you get what you pay for how could a $4.99 charger give you anything but problems. a good six pack is more than that
http://smartercharger.com/battery-ch... Multi US 3300
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qHSI_qHOI4U
http://smartercharger.com/battery-ch... Multi US 3300
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qHSI_qHOI4U
Last edited by higgyburners; Nov 7, 2012 at 10:53 PM.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 6,528
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From: South Dakota
I bought a couple of the harbor freight cheap ones.
I used them on my lawn tractors for a couple of years now and they seem to work fine so far. No battery problems sitting over the winter and on one it also sat for most of the year because it has a snow blower on it.
I was/am skeptical of them still. I use them on the lawn tractors, but I have others for the cars. I use the previous generation of the Schumacher "Speed Charge Maintainer". They have worked great. The ones I have also have a desulfation mode that can help restore a battery, and it worked on one of mine. They still carry the model like mine at the local Farm & Fleet stores for under $20, while Walmart has moved to the newer worse style without the desulfation mode and it costs a few dollars more.
I used them on my lawn tractors for a couple of years now and they seem to work fine so far. No battery problems sitting over the winter and on one it also sat for most of the year because it has a snow blower on it.
I was/am skeptical of them still. I use them on the lawn tractors, but I have others for the cars. I use the previous generation of the Schumacher "Speed Charge Maintainer". They have worked great. The ones I have also have a desulfation mode that can help restore a battery, and it worked on one of mine. They still carry the model like mine at the local Farm & Fleet stores for under $20, while Walmart has moved to the newer worse style without the desulfation mode and it costs a few dollars more.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 794
Likes: 2
From: Allentown Pa.
O.K., I have used the Harbor Freight float charger for the last three years on my 90 coupe and it has worked just fine, No problems whatsoever. Sometimes some things are just a bargain. I already have it hooked up to my Vette for the winter season.
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Burning Brakes
Joined: May 2004
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From: Frederick Md
I have 6 Corvettes in my garage and use a Battery Tender Plus on all of them BUT I DO use one of one cheap Harbor Freight chargers on both my battery powered low level lift I use for brake/tire work and also to power my telescope I have mounted in my backyard domed observatory (I will not power the scope with a AC converter as a voltage spike would fry the electronics
The cheap Harbor Freight ones have worked fine over the last 6 years in the observatory and close to 10 years on the lift...
Bob G
The cheap Harbor Freight ones have worked fine over the last 6 years in the observatory and close to 10 years on the lift...
Bob G
Team Owner
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From: Riverside County Southern California
Co-winner 2020 C4 of the Year - Modified
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St. Jude Donor '09 thru '20
Don't expect a $5 charger to save your $70~$100 battery.
I have the Bosch C7, it cost me over $100. This charger is bad ***
I have the Bosch C7, it cost me over $100. This charger is bad ***
Melting Slicks
Joined: Feb 2005
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From: Bay Shore, NY
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jul 2004
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From: Clifton Park, NY ............Clearwater, FL ... 85 Original Owner
I am planning to purchase a charger for my battery as I only use the car once a week.Harbor freight has an automatic battery float charger by cen-tech on sale for $4.99 any comments on this type of charger? Negative or positive and could this cook the battery if left on too long? Thank you
Instructor
Joined: Oct 2012
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I have 6 Corvettes in my garage and use a Battery Tender Plus on all of them BUT I DO use one of one cheap Harbor Freight chargers on both my battery powered low level lift I use for brake/tire work and also to power my telescope I have mounted in my backyard domed observatory (I will not power the scope with a AC converter as a voltage spike would fry the electronics
The cheap Harbor Freight ones have worked fine over the last 6 years in the observatory and close to 10 years on the lift...
Bob G
The cheap Harbor Freight ones have worked fine over the last 6 years in the observatory and close to 10 years on the lift...
Bob G
Advanced
Joined: Oct 2012
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glad your charger is bad ***. a 5 dollar charger will work just fine. in fact most 30 to 40 dollar chargers are a 5 dollar charger with a different plastic case around them.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jul 2004
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From: Clifton Park, NY ............Clearwater, FL ... 85 Original Owner
Le Mans Master
Joined: Mar 2010
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From: Eugene Oregon
I believe in the Beer Fairy
St. Jude Donor '15,'19
http://smartercharger.com/benefits/
Race Director
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From: SCMR Rat Pack'r Charter Member..Great Bend KS
While many seem to have had good luck with $5 chargers, I don't think I could go away for the weekend with my Corvette hooked up to one and feel comfortable. It's bad enough with my $80 Black & Decker Smartcharger. I'd be too worried that I'll come home to a pile of ashes where my shop used to be.................. 
I agree that if you drive once a week, you don't need a battery maintainer.
I agree that if you drive once a week, you don't need a battery maintainer.