I have an old Century portable charger. It works on standard batteries, but has seen better days - some of the plastic has broken (handle, switches, etc). As it still works, an option would be to tear it apart, replace switches, bolt a handle to it, and call it a day. But I would like a few more options. It does standard batteries and will jump start, but won't do AGM or gel.
A coworker has this one from MAC Tools: Intelligent Battery Charger/Maintainer
I've found that it is a rebadged SOLAR - which you can find for about a third of what he paid for the MAC brand - downside is no jump start.: 20/10/2 Amp 6/12V Intelligent Battery Charger / Maintainer - Clore Automotive
He also picked up one of these: 40-1200 CCA 12 Volt Digital Battery & System Tester - Clore Automotive
Again, he got the MAC version for about three times the price of the SOLAR at Amazon or elsewhere. Reading the reviews, there are mixed feelings about it. People say that it will tell you to charge the battery and then retest - at which point it will give you a good rating for the battery only to have the battery not start the vehicle a day or two later. Sounds like it doesn't actually load test the battery. Should I stick with an old-school carbon pile load tester?
Between vehicles, equipment, motorcycle, and such, I have quite a few batteries to keep track of. I'd like a tester that will give me a quick read on what state a battery is in so that I can check them every now and then and know whether to charge them or replace them. Similarly, I'd like a charger that I can just put on something and come back later (rather than watch over it) and also something that will jump start the vehicle if I need it now. I'd prefer something fairly portable, but am not opposed to a wheel charger if it is worthwhile.
What are people using?
A coworker has this one from MAC Tools: Intelligent Battery Charger/Maintainer
I've found that it is a rebadged SOLAR - which you can find for about a third of what he paid for the MAC brand - downside is no jump start.: 20/10/2 Amp 6/12V Intelligent Battery Charger / Maintainer - Clore Automotive
He also picked up one of these: 40-1200 CCA 12 Volt Digital Battery & System Tester - Clore Automotive
Again, he got the MAC version for about three times the price of the SOLAR at Amazon or elsewhere. Reading the reviews, there are mixed feelings about it. People say that it will tell you to charge the battery and then retest - at which point it will give you a good rating for the battery only to have the battery not start the vehicle a day or two later. Sounds like it doesn't actually load test the battery. Should I stick with an old-school carbon pile load tester?
Between vehicles, equipment, motorcycle, and such, I have quite a few batteries to keep track of. I'd like a tester that will give me a quick read on what state a battery is in so that I can check them every now and then and know whether to charge them or replace them. Similarly, I'd like a charger that I can just put on something and come back later (rather than watch over it) and also something that will jump start the vehicle if I need it now. I'd prefer something fairly portable, but am not opposed to a wheel charger if it is worthwhile.
What are people using?