suggestions for battery charger

I would get a 6/12v with the capabilities to charge at 2 amps 12 amps and start 50 amps. you will be covered

bbaley wrote:
Needs to handle proper charging/maintenance of deep cycle - multi-phase Bulk/Acceptance/Float, etc.

Needs to be a plug-in portable unit I can use for all my 6v-12v vehicle batteries - not just my RV. (mowers, tractors, RV, boat, et al)

Both CTEK and NOCO make quality portable chargers but quality does cost. Although it still works "fine" I replaced the crappy WFCO 8955 in my own trailer because it never achieves it's advertised 14.4 volt bulk charge rate and I instead use a CTEK Multi US 7002.



It's a 7 amp charger but works fine for my purposes since we camp without shore power only occasionally, otherwise I'd have chosen either a CTEK 25 amp version or NOCO 26 amp, either of which would work just fine as a general purpose smart charger.

Take your pick,....I never heard of a smart charger out there that did not do a good job of charging and maintaining a battery.

I really like my Pro-Logix PL2320.

SoundGuy wrote:
CTEK Multi US 7002

Thanks !
That looks like a good deal too at only around $100

Progressive Dynamics makes a line of converters.. the 9200 line. These come in several sizes (more on that soon) and two types. Plug in and hard wired.

Get a plug in version (less you plan to hard wire)

Now. the size

Total your battery capacity.. Multiply by 0.30

Example: a Group 29.. about 100 AH. 30 amps
A pair of GC-2 (Golf car batteries) 220 amps. 66 amps (So use a 60)

THis is a top line 3-stage converter/charger designed for the very job you are trying to do.

I think you'll be hard-pressed to find a modern "smart" charger that will do what you are asking without paying an arm and a leg.

I've had a couple (including the noco) and most won't hold an absorb voltage for deep cycle charging (if they even get up to a high enough voltage).

The PD suggestion above may be a decent option - but won't work for your 6v single batteries. I've resorted to having more than one charger.

Do you want a battery charger that puts out 20-60 amps that you would use for dry camping or do you want a maintainer that puts out 5 -10 amps just to maintain the batteries while you are at home. Some of these mentioned will only put out 7 amps, which is fine for a battery maintainer but not good if you want to charge your batteries with a generator while dry camping.

A 5 to 10 amp Battery Minder or Battery Tender brand charger is what I recommend.
Considering the wide range chosen there is not a perfect solution to cover everything.

Sometimes it is not a perfect world and you cannot have your cake and eat it too.

i use the Deltran battery "maintainers". They market both 6 and 12 volt units.

I have a 6 for my 1950 8N Ford.