Looking for a decent battery charger -2/10/100-200start or thereabout. I would prefer a manual/timer vs an automatic, but I don't see many of those available, so maybe an automatic that doesn't have super sensitive safety cutouts. We have 2 old 200A manuals at the farm, but it takes longer to find them than to use them. A manual 2/10/40/200 bench-top model would be ideal, but I think I'll have better luck finding a unicorn.
Most of what I see on Amazon is Schumacher, and I currently have one made by them, but store-branded. It is a piece of shit. I use it about twice a year & at least once I threaten to throw it away. Last weekend I followed through. It would charge just long enough for me to walk away, then give it's 'bad battery' error & stop charging. I'd come back hours later & it hadn't done anything. I jumped the 4wheeler with the li-ion jump pack, which is what I should have done in the 1st place.

I've had good luck with Battery Tender brand units.

snidera, from a recent thread pertaining to my dead battery from sitting in the garage during this COVID stuff, based on recommendations and Amazon and other reviews I purchased this NOCO genius 5 battery charger and maintainer. I purchased it on Amazon and I'm very impressed with the build quality and though yet to hook her up, was waiting on additional NOCO quick plug cord I'll definitely add a review. Looks quality at a reasonable price also. Here was my recent thread and recommendations from replies.

Battery died topic

I'm guessing you store the vehicle indoors, in the dark. VW used to ship all their Mexican produced vehicles with a solar charger that didn't recharge a dead battery, it just kept one topped off. It was good at that. They placed it on the dash of new cars, plugged it in, and forgot about it. It worked on the theory that giving a new car the sunshine treatment could work to their advantage. Of course it required an always live cigarette lighter to work.

It was a good idea, and eliminated the embarrassment of having to use a battery charger on a brand new vehicle, out on the lot where the whole world could see the thing taking place. The problem wasn't just isolated to VWs. Virtually all makers have the problem. Having a hundred or so vehicles just sitting tends to kill batteries.

Move along to 2003 when my wife wanted and got a VW Passat wagon. It had a flaw in its electrical system that kept the computer alive after you turned it off and locked it up. Embarrassing as hell to go out to her new car and have it deader than a doornail. (anyone know where that expression came from?) Anyway the first time I just jump started it. The second time I was pissed to say the least. The diagnosis was the computer wasn't shutting itself off. Drained the new cars battery over about a week or so. The manager of the dealership walked into his shop and confiscated a few of them from mechanics.

Seemed like it was a valuable item for employees. They stole them from new cars when they could. Caused a bunch of trouble when a new car wouldn't start and the charger was gone.
Anyway, it took a while to get a new computer for the Passat, and the charger solved the problem. Works for cars parked outside and not driven each day.

Not sure if your 4 wheeler could be parked near a window. I'd think it has a tiny battery or could be adapted. I've seen cords with a lighter plug on one end and jumper clamps on the other. That's been 17 years so I'm pretty sure my offspring has stolen my solar chargers. Don't know if VW even uses that system these days. The advantage is your battery is always topped off. Draining one to dead isn't good for long battery life.

I use Ctek chargers for a wide variety of batteries. Trickle/maintenance to large batteries. They make them for a wide range of uses.
Shop around after you look on the site to see what you need for a better price.

https://smartercharger.com/

https://www.batterytender.com/

Based in FL, good company, you can buy direct, Amazon, and many other places...

Still running one on my HD that I bought back in the early 2000's

I second Ctek chargers. I have used them for years, from maintaining to charging a completely dead battery.

If you don't like the CTEK logo, you can spend $100-$200 more for one that has Porsche, Ferrari, etc. These are the same chargers they recommend for their vehicles.

I was going to post Battery Tender when I first saw this but from the OP believe he's looking for a full-on charger to bring neglected batteries back from the dead, not a maintainer.

Ctek here too.

I believe a Ctek can bring a neglected battery back from the dead.

quote:

Originally posted by Jamess1:
I second Ctek chargers. I have used them for years, from maintaining to charging a completely dead battery.

If you don't like the CTEK logo, you can spend $100-$200 more for one that has Porsche, Ferrari, etc. These are the same chargers they recommend for their vehicles.

Another vote for CTEK.

Ctek user here too.

Those are all kinda cute.
I failed to mention that trickle charging/maintaining is covered - batterytender and a couple no-name brands.

I found one.
US made, 200A, should be all I ever need.
Associated US20

quote:

I've had good luck with Battery Tender brand units.

They will maintain but not charge a totally dead battery. Great to leave on a good battery without overcharging.

The early ones were better quality than the latest ones I bought.

The multiunit models are interesting. I like not having to maintain a few of the Tenders.

quote:

Originally posted by Georgeair:
I was going to post Battery Tender when I first saw this but from the OP believe he's looking for a full-on charger to bring neglected batteries back from the dead, not a maintainer.

Delran does make on model that is a 15 amp version.

I think the op is talking a completely different animal than these trickle chargers. He wants 200a of booster starting as part of the deal. I use a Schumacher but if we are talking getting your excavator going in deep winter you probably want bigger.

I have a Noco and am happy with it.

quote:

Originally posted by rscalzo:

quote:

I've had good luck with Battery Tender brand units.

They will maintain but not charge a totally dead battery. Great to leave on a good battery without overcharging.

The early ones were better quality than the latest ones I bought.

The multiunit models are interesting. I like not having to maintain a few of the Tenders.

The Battery Tender units will charge a dead battery , but the smaller units just take so damn long . They do make some larger units as well as Booster packs .

My son and I own alot of vehicles with battery's. We have roughly 14 of the Harbor Freight battery maintainers. they have worked great and keep the batteries "alive".

quote:

Originally posted by selogic:
The Battery Tender units will charge a dead battery, but the smaller units just take so damn long.

Correct, in my experience. My 3A model charged my neighbor's battery to the point it started her car, but it took several days to charge it.

It worked fine to keep our car batteries topped off during our low auto use in the early kung flu weeks.

 
Associated Equipment makes some of the heaviest duty and Made in the USA chargers on today's market, but you buy once, cry once.
 
I have their 9425 20amp benchtop model, which is in their Intellimatic series. That series are smart chargers that can also be left attached indefinitely in float mode, after the smart charge sequence has finished. The 9425 also has a dead battery assist.
 
For the OP's specs, this model 6010B would be better suited. It is not a smart charger, however, but a manual type.
 
Link to the 6010B charger on the Associated web site.