If you're new to this thread, please read it before you comment. This thread is not intended for discussion. We get it. Some people hate everything Harbor Freight. This is mainly a thread for those who have already decided they want one and are looking for a deal.
We use this beast mainly as a manual equalizer. In this post, one of our members, mena661 recently (late June '11) measured 18.88A at 15V from this "10A" charger while equalizing a massive bank of 4 Trojan L-16s! This charger appears to be WAY underrated!
Reviews on the Harbor Freight site are not stellar. We suspect that the problem likely lies with a possible failure of the "Automatic" function. As I said, we use this charger chiefly in manual mode as an equalizer and would never leave it unattended.
***Updated 01/30/12***
Enter the following code and get it for $29.99 from now through 06/01/12...
95537386
This is the charger that our own mexbungalows calls, "...superior in both construction and performance to a 10-amp Schumacher, or a 10-amp Craftsman charger that I own and it is a fraction of the price."
This is the best price I've seen. I waited for months to nab it at $29.99, and here it is for $25.99. You can "Add To Cart" online and then enter the coupon code in the coupon box for the discount.
It has both automatic and fully manual modes ("Start" mode makes it manual for all Amperage settings.) It has a 2A and 10A setting, as well as a 55A "Start" setting. Mex reviews it via a couple of posts in this short thread.
I have also found it to be something of a powerhouse. On the 10A setting, once they're full, it can easily equalize the heck out of my 3 - group 27s all at once and reach voltages in the 17s.
Once again, the reviews on the Harbor Freight site are not stellar.
As always... YMMV.
(NOTE: If you're looking for a good 10A charger for whatever reason, this appears to be a good choice. Many of us in the "Tech Issues" forum have discussed proper battery equalization, which often requires a whole lot more voltage than our safe little converters are willing to provide. This charger is great for that!
But if you're hoping to replace your 60A converter and are expecting an equally fast charge rate, well, then perhaps you might consider looking elsewhere. That or buy 5 or 6 of these. For some reason, this didn't go without saying.)
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Cheers,
Kendall
1986 Winnebago Chieftain 22RC
Our Camper (with no payments)
I bought several power tools and other stuff from Harbor Freight over the years. Granted, they have some good prices, but the quality is sometimes questionable. I'm thankful they're here in Asheville, NC, because if I need an oxygen sensor socket, I know I can get one cheap and it'll most likely get me through the once-or-twice-in-a-lifetime situation where I'll need it. They have become known to me as the 'Disposable Tool Store' on a lot of things, though.
Dave & Jami
1988 Terry Resort 18D, our first TT!
1984 Chaparral 172
2005 Durango Hemi Ltd.
Home is where you park it!
I just returned from purchasing a second charger for $27.99 + 9.25% tax.
Now I have hammer-and-chisle technology that equals a 20 amp charge rate for use over and beyond what a "smart" charger can offer. It's hard to find a 20-amp transformer charger for fifty six dollars and harder still to find one that is selectable between fully automatic and manual.
BTW, it certainly helps to actually open up a device and examine it before making a determination as to whether or not it is or is not of adequate performance and robustness. Also it is useful to understand that if the ROM operated automatic charging circuit should go awry, a flip of a switch will revert the charger to manual mode. The Harbor Freight 10-amp charger uses a pair of 25 amp rated button rectifiers on the center tap transformer which rates the rectification at around 50 amps at 20C and probably around 30 amps at 70C.
Many USA battery charger manufacturers are using the facilities of the People's Liberation Army in China to manufacture their chargers, then slapping on a decal denoting a "respected" USA name. They then price the unit to reflect such a lofty lineage. I know Chinese technique and component design and construction and I have seen no chargers lately that suggest that they are made outside of PRC. A few high freq chargers seem to be manufactured in Korea, and some others in Taiwan.
Unlike high frequency chargers the dinosaur transformer chargers are repairable in the garage. Any home improvement store like Hone Depot or Lowes carries slider switch replacements. A drill of 1/4" diameter would allow replacement of the 25 amp rectifiers with 70-amp stud mount rectifiers, and the on-board circuit breaker is an off-the-shelf item at any part store.
I'm afraid to say that if you looked inside *any* new 10-amp transformer based charger these days it would scare you to death. Also I have to say that for the last twenty years Craftsman end wrenches have been culled from my tool boxes because catastropic failure (breakage) has caused injury to myself and to friends. I guess that I am old-fashioned: No tool works as good as a vice-grip, no water pump pliers work as good as Channel lock, no crescent wrench equals a genuine crescent wrench, and no screwdriver can match a WiHa (Willi Hahn).
The Chinese are getting more sophisticated at manufacturing acceptable hand mechanic's tools. They are using chrome vanadium and where appropriate chrome molybdenum alloy steel. When I recently priced a Snap-On ratchet a three-eights drive ratchet at a hundred thirty U.S. dollars plus tax, I knew that I had been priced right out of the market.
To each his own but I do not believe that anything Harbor Freight sells is superior to much of anything. Like Dave, I put their stuff to be in the "use once and discard" category. Aside from that 10 amps is a bit puny. It is ok for recharging a starter battery but not big enough for recharging house batteries in a dry camping situation.
hwybnb wrote: Aside from that 10 amps is a bit puny. It is ok for recharging a starter battery but not big enough for recharging house batteries in a dry camping situation.
This was never the point.
For those of us that have been discussing how to properly equalize an already charged battery, this charger... with it's manual capabilities is a good option and miles above any "smart" charger.
Obviously if your needs are centered around replacing your 60A converter with a portable for fast charging, this is not the unit. I have a 25A Vector/Black & Decker and a 30A Schumacher for that.
The sale was posted for those who need something like this. Obviously there are other options.
mexbungalows wrote: Now I have hammer-and-chisle technology that equals a 20 amp charge rate for use over and beyond what a "smart" charger can offer. It's hard to find a 20-amp transformer charger for fifty six dollars and harder still to find one that is selectable between fully automatic and manual.
And if you're equipment is ever exposed to an EMP, well your generator and these chargers will still be able to charge your batteries... as long as fuel is available, anyway.
When I get back home to Mexico I'll tinker and putter and see what's what.
A serious EMP will fry the electronics responsible for voltage regulation in a newer style genset. One of the older saturated field 6.5NH Onans and any "self regulating" genset would suffer less trauma.
I'll take my chances in Mexico with a thermonuclear "event". A terrorist would have to be somewhat off kilter to detonate an atomic bomb fifteen hundred miles south of the Rio Grande.
Armed with my group 29 battery, multiple chargers, low amp draw Fantastic Endless breeze fan, inverter, and high wattage LED lighting I am going to be ready for a middle of the night power failure. The BiPap will be running on 12-volts, I'll switch on a fan, and lights if I need them. Many times the power returns for three hours or so then goes back off and in those three hours I can stuff a lot of amp hours back into that Group 29.
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