harbor freight float charger

I bought this thinking I could hook it up and prevent having to jump start the B after it had been sittting for a while. $7.99 seemed like a great investment. I read the instructions that came with the unit and I'm thinking twice about using it. The manual says that the battery has to be out of the car and the cell caps removed. It sounds like jump starting is the easier alternative. Any one have any experience with this charger?

I bought one on sale last year and used it on my car over the winter. I didn't disconnect the battery, wanted to keep power on the ECM and everything was fine this spring. As far as removing caps, most new batteries don't have them anyway but mostly that disclaimer is to keep them from being liable in case of a hydrogen gas explosion I suppose.

I think you will find those caveats on most chargers - product liability and such. Hydrogen gas comes off the battery when it is being charged and may accumulate if the battery is being charged in the car instead of out in the open. Those folks are just tying to protect themselves if you mangae to blow something up. You do want to remove the caps.

When I do mine I just disconnect the negative terminal from the battery, remove the caps, and leave the windows open and the rear unzipped. That just about takes care of any accumulation of gas.

I put a battery disconnect behind the passenger seat and turn it off every time I get out of the car for the day.

I've used those HF float chargers for a couple of years now. I first used them on my tractor and scooter batteries, and now use it on my MG battery. So far no complaints, and I did not remove the batteries or cell caps.... I too figured it was just a generic safety warning.

I just bought the same one and have it on my B. Plenty of ventilation in my garage. To me, the whole point of the charger was so that I didn't have to remove the battery!

Dan D

Because of this thread, I just purchased one of these units from HF for (I think) $8.00. I also have a Battery Tender brand that I use on the Nissan. We'll see how they compare later this winter.

Have had good luck with the delmar tenders. Did have 2 fail on me over the years. They will replace it, but the exhange is close to buying new. Oh well. When they work, they work well. Don't know if I would put a $8 charger on my car and leave it. Maybe it is just me.

I switched to Griots Garage brand chargers. I have the previous model to this http://www.griotsgarage.com/product/car+maintenance/battery+care/battery+manager+iv.do and it works great. Not cheap, but they will replace it as long as you own it. No receipt. No questions. Nothing. Best customer service I have seen other than Crutchfield! Nice 4 stage charger.

Bought their big boy charger for my boat - http://www.griotsgarage.com/product/car+maintenance/battery+care/microprocessor+controlled+battery+charger+ii.do Nice workmanship. Great unit! hook it up.. it 'tests' the battery to see what kind it is (wet cell, gell, agm, etc), the condition of it, and what kind of program to charge it the best. Will desulficate automatically if needed as well. Very impressed so far with it. Overkill for most owners, but with the 2 golf cart batteries in the boat, I wanted a few more amps to get the batteries charged in a reasonable amount of time.

I bought the Delmar Battery Tender after reading about it in this forum. The user testimonials sold me I guess. I've seen the HF offerings but am uneasy about leaving one on 24/7 in my garage without knowing it's quality and safety.

[quote=zzzinger]

I bought the Delmar Battery Tender after reading about it in this forum. The user testimonials sold me I guess. I've seen the HF offerings but am uneasy about leaving one on 24/7 in my garage without knowing it's quality and safety.[/quote]

Have had a delmar on my sump pump battery backup for a few years continuously.. very good products (other than the couple failures already mentioned). I would trust it. Time tested. Would I trust my car, home, garage to a charger about the cost of a grande starbucks coffee? I don't think so :)

I have been using 2 of the Harbor Freight "float" chargers, off and on, for several years with no problems. It does occur to me every time I hook them up that I am using "cheap chinese crap" so I won't be surprised at whatever happens. I do check the charge voltage and transformer temp whenever I am out there.

A friend of mine says he just has his battery charger plugged in to a timer,... so every day the charger comes on for a bit.

So simple,... I wish he had told me before I bought the float chargers.

[quote=mayuhm]

A friend of mine says he just has his battery charger plugged in to a timer,... so every day the charger comes on for a bit.

So simple,... I wish he had told me before I bought the float chargers.[/quote]

Some of the better electronic 3-4 stage chargers won't turn on until you press a button to start the cycle (2 of mine are like that). so if loses power, it won't restart until you start it again. The delmars will start on a timer no problem.

Leaving a delmar or other top quality electronic chargers on 7x24 is not a problem. They will cycle on and off only when needed. No reason to start from stage one (bulk load) every day. I would think that would ruin the battery faster than just keeping it floating properly. For a cheap, 1 stage/transformer type, the timer route will work better (but I would never leave one hooked up unattended..or use them at all anymore)

[quote=lars49]

When I do mine I just disconnect the negative terminal from the battery, remove the caps, and leave the windows open and the rear unzipped. That just about takes care of any accumulation of gas.[/quote]

I use a Delmar Battery Tender with my battery left in the car all winter. I do disconnect the negative cable.

I have the hood up and the windows closed tight to keep the mice out with the moth ball odor. Am I in danger of a hydrogen explosion?

[quote=mgacarnut]

[quote=lars49]

When I do mine I just disconnect the negative terminal from the battery, remove the caps, and leave the windows open and the rear unzipped. That just about takes care of any accumulation of gas.[/quote]

I use a Delmar Battery Tender with my battery left in the car all winter. I do disconnect the negative cable.

I have the hood up and the windows closed tight to keep the mice out with the moth ball odor. Am I in danger of a hydrogen explosion?[/quote]

No, the demlars won't boil the batteries like dumb chargers possibly can if left unattended. plus the hydrogen will disappate quite easliy.

I've used the HF ones on my lawn tractor and motorcycle with acceptable results. But, they only lasted about 2-3 years. They are handy 12v sources to play with lights and such, tho. I did, back then , get mine for $4.99 on sale, so not much to lose.