logdog
logdog GRM+ Memberand UltraDork
7/8/18 9:22 a.m.

The Die Hard battery charger I bought sometime in the early 2000s has died, hard.  I need to replace it and figured I would check with the hive for recommendations.  It must be the table top style, I don't have room for a floor stlye.  It must have a engine start boost, ideally either 75 or 100 amp instead of the 50 this one had.  Budget is 100 bucks.  Thoughts?

 

mtn
mtn MegaDork
7/8/18 1:02 p.m.

In for the replies. I thought I had one but cannot for the life of me find it anywhere. 

stuart in mn
stuart in mn UltimaDork
7/8/18 1:32 p.m.

I've had a Schumacher battery charger for years and years and it still works great.  I assume they still sell a quality product.

Ransom
Ransom GRM+ Memberand PowerDork
7/8/18 2:20 p.m.

I think mine's a Schumacher as well. I don't use it a ton, but am glad it's there when I do. It replaced an even cheaper one that didn't have any start mode.

Not strictly on topic, but relatedly, I love my Battery Tender Jrs. I don't think about things for a long time, then they start. It's awesome.

hoochmcfluff
hoochmcfluff New Reader
7/8/18 3:41 p.m.

Battery tender. I I use it for marine batteries and they work. Get the 1.25 amp model. 

 

logdog
logdog GRM+ Memberand UltraDork
7/8/18 8:51 p.m.

I think it's going to come down to a Century or a Schumacher.  I need to get my hands on some at the store.  My biggest beef with my Die Hard one was the thin wire in the leads.  It would get really hot when using the boost, even only for a few seconds.  The Battery Tenders would be too small for what I need.  The new digital controls look interesting but I am leaning towards the old style like this

 

Pete Gossett
Pete Gossett GRM+ Memberand MegaDork
7/9/18 5:42 a.m.
stuart in mn said:

I've had a Schumacher battery charger for years and years and it still works great.  I assume they still sell a quality product.

They don’t. They moved all manufacturing overseas around the early 2000’s and the quality quickly went to E36 M3. I have an old 8050 from the early 90’s though & it’s a beast. 

Full disclosure: I worked there in the early 90’s and Don Schumacher is a prime example of...well, I’ll just stop there. 

Edit: At some point after I left Schumacher bought Exide, and many of their models were rebranded as house-brands for retailers(I remember Sears Die Hard, for example). I bought a Harbor Freight charger/maintainer for ~$40 and have been very happy with it. 

RX8driver
RX8driver Reader
7/9/18 7:23 a.m.

Nothing to add other than watch for "smart" chargers that won't charge a dead battery. Had to buy myself a second, dumb one to do that.

Toyman01
Toyman01 GRM+ Memberand MegaDork
7/9/18 7:43 a.m.

I have a Schumacher. It gets the job done and has held up well. 

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