Car battery charger

Joss

Joss

Joined
Nov 20, 2001
Messages
7,353
Hi all,

I need to buy a battery charger (I have a car that hasn't run for several months and the battery is dead.) Can I buy just anything, or should I look for something special in terms of features, etc?

Thanks,

JD
 
depends on how often you'll want to use it, how fast to charge. a $20 5-10 amp would be fine but take a while.
 
A good battery charger should have three modes:

Trickle charge: 2 amps or less for longer-term unnattended charging

Moderate charge: For hourly attended charging

Boost: Highest power for closely attended charging and to get a completely dead battery a chance to start.

This will overcook a battery if left on too long. Literally feeling the heat of the battery is a good guide. If it's warm it's too much.

Lots of choices and info on this site:

http://batterystuff.com/battery-chargers/

Coop
 
Buy a new battery. Seriously, if all you need is to recharge one battery on a car that has sat for several months, expecially if the battery is more than a couple three years old.

Obviously, if you want or need a charger, I'll go shut my suck:foot:
 
More and more car batteries are AGM type which require a slower charge .I'd get a charger that would handle both standard and AGM. The average life of a battery is 5 years .discharging a battery all the way is bad for the battery.
 
Hmm... Maybe I need a new battery, I've had my car since '99, and never changed it. :D I was quoted $300 to replace the battery though. Ouch.
 
Are the batteries sold "precharged"? :)

Are they easy to change? I don't have much of a mecanical mind (though it looks easily accessible.)
 
Don't smoke around the battery when you're charging it. They give off hydrogen which is very explosive - think "Hindenburg".
 
I am on a car forum in yahoo. Many of the guys there like the autozone battery. Get the 2 or 3 year replacement battery. I normally get the biggest battery that will fit my car or truck.
I bought an Interstate battery a few years back. They have terrible customer service and the battery was poor quality. Some of the guys here may have had good luck with them, but not me. If you decide to replace your battery ; you might want to clean your battery cable ends if they are corroded. A cleaner can be had for a few dollars at your local parts store.
Sometimes you can find bargans at pawn shops on battery chargers. Find out what their policey is if it doesn't work. I always offer less than they are asking. Doesn't hurt to try. Sometimes though you can buy a new one for what they want for a used one.
good luck !
Jay
 
The guys are right. Spend your money on a fresh battery instead. At 8 years of service it doesn't owe you a dime.

Yes, they come with a charge.

*Most* car batteries are fairly easy to relace, even by a neopyhte. The side-mounted terminals installed on many American cars may require a special tool. You will determine this upon removal. Buy it at an auto parts store that you get the battery.

Coop
 
Okey dokey. I bought a battery and will report on how good a job I've done installing it...
 
A moderate power level (5 to 15 amps) charger with a trickle charge (1 amp) feature and a long extension cord for it is something everybody needs I think. But $50 to $60 should buy you a good quality new battery. Yes, they come already charged and ready to install and use. Batteries are fairly heavy, but unless you have back trouble or its installation has some weird configuration (like my '99 Chevy van) you should be able to change it yourself without too much trouble. Be sure to use a wrench of the correct size, though, and BE SURE YOU DISCONNECT THE BLACK OR GROUND CABLE FIRST. When you install the new battery be sure you install the black or ground cable LAST. The reason for this is that with both cables connected to the battery terminals you have a circuit. If you put a wrench on the red (positive) cable end, and then your wrench makes contact with another part of the vehicle as you turn the bolt, you have created a short circuit and BIG SPARKS which can potentially ignite hydrogen fumes from the battery and cause an explosion involving the sulfuric acid inside the battery. I've seen it happen once. The explosion isn't big, but the splashing acid can be dangerous, especially to your eyes! Follow the correct procedure (remove the black or ground cable first, and then reattach it last) and use eye protection. Have a towel handy (like over your shoulder or around your neck) just in case, too. Having a source of water nearby won't hurt anything, either. Battery acid is bad news! If you doubt your mechanical ability, some places will install your battery free if you buy it from them. Try your local Sam's Club or Wal-Mart. :thumbup:
 
Jay_Wyatt said:
I am on a car forum in yahoo. Many of the guys there like the autozone battery. Get the 2 or 3 year replacement battery. I normally get the biggest battery that will fit my car or truck.
I bought an Interstate battery a few years back. They have terrible customer service and the battery was poor quality. Some of the guys here may have had good luck with them, but not me. If you decide to replace your battery ; you might want to clean your battery cable ends if they are corroded. A cleaner can be had for a few dollars at your local parts store.
Sometimes you can find bargans at pawn shops on battery chargers. Find out what their policey is if it doesn't work. I always offer less than they are asking. Doesn't hurt to try. Sometimes though you can buy a new one for what they want for a used one.
good luck !
Jay
Click to expand...

Jay I I have been in th auto repair bussiness for over forty years and will have to disagree with you, year in & year out INterstate has been the best battery out there, the customer service is like any other store outlet, it depends on where you go, they have more retailers than any brand and there is a 800 number on their batteries if you have trouble and do not know where to go. Sears die hard is also very good ,Delco's and Exide are iffy, good for while then they will have a bad run for a year or so, MY choice Interstate or Sears. Have someone check the alternator output and check for current draws to insure the new battery stays charged. Don't waste your time on a battery over four years old.

Leon
 
Jay_Wyatt said:
I am on a car forum in yahoo. Many of the guys there like the autozone battery. Get the 2 or 3 year replacement battery. I normally get the biggest battery that will fit my car or truck.
I bought an Interstate battery a few years back. They have terrible customer service and the battery was poor quality. Some of the guys here may have had good luck with them, but not me. If you decide to replace your battery ; you might want to clean your battery cable ends if they are corroded. A cleaner can be had for a few dollars at your local parts store.
Sometimes you can find bargans at pawn shops on battery chargers. Find out what their policey is if it doesn't work. I always offer less than they are asking. Doesn't hurt to try. Sometimes though you can buy a new one for what they want for a used one.
good luck !
Jay
Click to expand...

Jay I have been in the auto repair bussiness for over forty years and will have to disagree with you, year in & year out INterstate has been the best battery out there, the customer service is like any other store outlet, it depends on where you go, they have more retailers than any brand and there is a 800 number on their batteries if you have trouble and do not know where to go. Sears die hard is also very good ,Delco's and Exide are iffy, good for while then they will have a bad run for a year or so, MY choice Interstate or Sears. Have someone check the alternator output and check for current draws to insure the new battery stays charged. Don't waste your time on a battery over four years old.

Leon
 
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