Battery float charger (HARBOR FREIGHT)

[Guest]

Well it's time for the winter storage routine, change oil, shine the chrome,seafoam the gas in the tanks, check air in tires, drain the fuel bowls. Now time to hook up the new battery float charger that I bought from HARBOR FREIGHT for, get this ( $ 5.99 ) made by Chicago Electric (Model #42292) Whoever they are.I purchased 5 of these for my bikes.
I generally take the batteries out of the bikes and maintain them with spot trickle charges. I have been looking for easier means and came across the cheapest means at harbor freight. First time in the store for me and I was like a kid in a toy store. Now I admit, I don't recall seeing any name brands of Manufacturers. I had found many items there that would make my life a little easier, at less expensive price. I question the items there as far their integrity, but in a pinch if it gets you through your project without you getting hurt or dismembered, that's a good thing, right. So, for one stop shopping at cheap prices it's Harbor Freight. Bob

[Octain]

Sounds kinda like a "Nothern Tool" company. Great finds but ya have to steer clear of the Japanese made electric and hand tools. They suck.
Tried an angle grinder a few years ago and burned it up in matter of minutes.

I wont even try the hand tools.

[Hammered]

I have the Wally World version. I used it all last season for the lawn mower. This one is adjustable to also allow for jump starting. Seems to work fine so far.

[willie]

I dropped by HF last yr to get one of those same chargers while they were on sale. Unfortunately(?), they were sold out when the mgr pointed out where they were supposed to be on the shelf. During a conversation with him about my lousy luck he commented that I was luckier than I thought because those units were junk. He suggested I buy the larger one intended for boat batteries. Nice try, I thought, the ol bait and switch game. I jokingly asked if he'd sell me one for the price of the one on sale. He laffed but agreed. I bought two. Funny thing is, I wound up using them on my boats. I still use my Battery Tenders for my bike batteries.
Willie

[Ponderosa]

Hf

I still buy some of the stuff from HF, I have a tire machine that after doing some support welding on it it has turned out to work quite well. It is all cheap chinese stuff, expect breakage.. You get what you pay for...

[omaharj]

I bought one from HF about 3-4 years ago ($5.99?). Works great still!

[tkent02]

Like any cheap tools, some are OK, some suck.
The battery tender works fine, but I don't just plug it in and forget about it all winter, just use it as a regular charger, if I realize I have not ridden one of the bikes for a month or more I plug it in. Crank one until the battery is low or leave the lights on or whatever. Harbor Fright stuff in general, look at the quality of each piece and if it looks good enough for your intended purpose, give it a try. If it is something that you use every day at work, or if your life depends on it working forever, better look somewhere else.

[omaharj]

Like any cheap tools, some are OK, some suck.
The battery tender works fine, but I don't just plug it in and forget about it all winter, just use it as a regular charger, if I realize I have not ridden one of the bikes for a month or more I plug it in. Crank one until the battery is low or leave the lights on or whatever. Harbor Fright stuff in general, look at the quality of each piece and if it looks good enough for your intended purpose, give it a try. If it is something that you use every day at work, or if your life depends on it working forever, better look somewhere else.

Exactly my thoughts on HF If it's a high use hand tool-try and do better.

[kparkfan]

Wow I'm going to have to go and pick me up a couple for my bikes. If they dont work to well oh well its only $12.00 lol.

[duaneage]

I have a solar panel battery tender on the roof of my shed. Keeps the batteries topped off on both bikes without extension cords. Cost about 20 bucks.
it's nice to pull them out in the spring , turn the key and they crank right up.

[kparkfan]

I have a solar panel battery tender on the roof of my shed. Keeps the batteries topped off on both bikes without extension cords. Cost about 20 bucks.
it's nice to pull them out in the spring , turn the key and they crank right up.

Where did you pick that up at?

[duaneage]

costco was selling them 2 for 39 dollars. Harbor Freight has them as well. The model I have is the smallest, designed for battery maintenance. They have them large enough to run a TV or laptop with.

[1_v8_merc]

I just picked up some cheapy battery charger(speedcharge or some brand) for $20 at wal-mart, it's for ATV's, bikes, jetskiis,etc....9v and 12v, it's completely automatic.

So far it works REALLY nice....jumped my battery back up to full speed in a couple hours.

But we'll see how long it lasts over the winter......even then who cares, it's only $20....but i wont leave it unattended for too long because it IS cheap, and i dont want a fire hazard.

[duaneage]

I like the solar powered one. It can't start a fire.

[bmac]

charger

I like the solar powered one. It can't start a fire.

I had seen that item also, solar panel for charging batteries. On my next rain day, I plan to pay harbor freight another visit. That panel looked pretty good. I will have see what it's output is for intended use. I really don't like the idea of 5 bikes on chargers but, it is better than the parallel set up I used before. I had checked over the Chicago Electric (float charger)direction sheet and there wasn't any Chinese writing or anything claiming it is made in China, Korea, Japan or any other country. Come to think about it......... I don't recall seeing anything about it being made in the USA????????????? It maybe just a given. Pick a country!!!!!!!!!!!! Bob Mac