Manual 10-amp Charger From Harbor Freight Returns?

[MEXICOWANDERER]

Product Overview
Description
This portable automotive battery charger has three modes, making it easy to charge, maintain or jump start 12 volt batteries. This 12 volt automotive battery charger has built-in safety features such as reverse polarity alert, thermal protection shutoff and a self-resetting circuit breaker. Copper plated clamps offer superior conductivity.

Portable unit offers 2-10 amp charging rates plus a 50 amp engine start for emergency starting
6 ft. battery leads with copper plated clamps for superior conductivity
Warning lamps for reverse polarity and charge complete
Self-resetting circuit breaker
Switches to trickle mode when battery is completely charged
Thermal protection shutoff
Auto shutoff

https://www.harborfreight.com/10250-Amp-12V-Manual-Charger-With-Engine-Start-60581.html?ccdenc=eyJjb...

[RLS7201]

I've owned one for a few years. Works as intended. Shuts off at 14.4, comes back on line at 12.8. Seems like a good device for a home garage. Now on sale for $29.95.


Richard

[j-d]

This one from HF bears less of a knockoff resemblance to the Craftsman equivalent that we have, than HF's prior version of the same thing did. Operationally, if it's working, and works similarly to my Craftsman: That brief 50A "Jump Start" feature in fact works, And the cables are adequate for that amount of current for that short period of time.

[MrWizard]

5sec on 4 min off
i think that is the boost/jumpstart mode

NOT the charging mode

[Joe417]

I'm not sure if this charger was OK before as I never had one, but I noticed the duty cycle in the ad is "5 SEC on 4 Minutes off". That would give me second thoughts.

I recently beefed up a 10/2 Schumacher, originally with button diodes, similar to what you described. I used a pair of 35 amp studs, drilling the aluminium plate, and soldered the other connections. I think they will handle the transformer. I didn't install a fan as it lasted about 10 years as designed. It had a lot of use.

As for spending 2 to 3 hours on a $29 charger, well retirement is great. Yes, I know I'm slow but half of it was looking through my junk for the diodes. And yes, I know they cost more these days.

[MEXICOWANDERER]

I've got one of the older ones here to repair. The idiots who made it POP RIVETED a pair of 25-amp button rectifiers against an unplated aluminum flat plate heat sink.

All the chargers are like this now. Like letting a ten year old prepare a martini. Disaster is certain.

I am going to use a pair of TO247 Schottky rectifiers sealed to the plate and install a small fan. And a timer and voltage gauge.

At one time, these were OK chargers. The manual ones. Their transformers were extremely stout, the weakest point on the originals was the switches then the rectifiers.

Well at least there still are Megawatts and Meanwells.

[DrewE]

Not only is it not a manual charger, it's apparently not a very intelligent smart charger. The reviews are not encouraging. Harbor Freight has some reasonably decent stuff and some that isn't, and this appears to be more towards the latter category.

Apparently if the battery voltage starts out too low, it won't turn on based on surmising an incorrect connection. Apparently it doesn't always do very well at switching between charge and maintenance mode (though maybe people were expecting 50A to supply that continually, rather than with the specified duty cycle of 5 seconds on, 4 minutes off). Apparently a fair few are dead out of the box. Apparently also some people find it sufficient for their needs...but I wouldn't chance it myself.

[beemerphile1]

Wouldn't the "switches to trickle mode" indicate that it is not a "manual" charger?

[fj12ryder]

Aren't 16 gauge cables a bit small for jump starting?