Battery Charger recommendations

[81xsproject]

Hey all,
I am looking to get a new charger/maintainer and wanted to see if anyone had any suggestions. Also, I saw this one from northertools and wanted to see what everyone thought about paying another $20 (DK has one for $30) for this one with the "Patented PulseMode desulphation circuitry"

VDC Electronics Battery Maintenance Chargers are designed to both properly charge and maintain all type/size lead acid batteries, without ever overcharging, even after months of non-use. All BatteryMINDer models feature exclusive U.S. Patented PulseMode desulphation circuitry, designed to safely remove the #1 cause of early battery failure, Sulphation. Plus, all units are polarity reversal-short circuit-temperature protected. Never overcharges. Restores weak batteries. High-frequency pulses safely remove sulphate from battery's plates that prevent batteries from holding a full charge. For all batteries including gel and deep cycle. UL listed

[webbcraft2150]

I have used a maintainer for years and I attribute my batteries lasting 3-4 years because of them and a regular schedule of checking the water (monthly). To make things easier, I wired a 2 wire trailer connector to the posts on the battery and the leads on the maintainer. I tuck the connector under the side cover when not in use. I fabbed a bracket to hang the maintainer on the footpeg bracket, plug it in and go. The nice thing about a maintainer is it will not overcharge the battery no matter how long you leave it on, as long as the maintainer is working right. Be sure if you wire a connector to the battery that the "exposed" terminal of the connector is hooked to the ground side of the battery.

[81xsproject]

hmmm, no opinions or ideas about desulphation

[DiverRay]

If the battery is maintained, you should NOT have any sulfation. It usually occurs in batteries that are left for a month or three at a time, and NOT batteries that are used all the time. Just the maintainer should keep it from sulfating.
Ray

[webbcraft2150]

"Desulphation" option would be a good option. While I do not know the exact process it uses, it will extend the life and "like new" output of the battery. Works good on the group of forklift batteries we have.

[Jerry]

I use a $12.95 float charger, am now on my 4th year with same battery / charger and it cranks over like new. Float charger is from Gempler's:

http://www.gemplers.com/a/shop/produ...30236407392253

They also have a fancier one for $22.65, claims to eliminate battery failure due to sulphation:

http://www.gemplers.com/a/shop/produ...30236407392253

I have a couple of the $12.95 units, use one on my garden tractor. Battery in it is even older, still kicks the tractor over fine every time.

[lsippell]

I've been using one of the cheap Battery Tenders for about 11 months now and am real happy with it. I especially like the harness that comes with it that mounts to my battery, and the extra one that has clips so I can hook it up to one of my boys bikes when they need it.

I almost always plug it into my XJ when I park.

Louis

[81xsproject]

I decided to go for the one with the magic desulphation powers. Maybe it will save my old bat. Won't be shocked if it doesn't. I added some water a while back and I don't recall using distilled Oh well, live and learn. Besides it came with the free XS almost three years ago.