SuperCheap battery charger - I suggest you don't buy it.
Submitted: Wednesday, Feb 06, 2008 at 17:56
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Mike Harding
Received an advertising flyer from SuperCheap in my letterbox today (
Melbourne).
Page 2 shows two AC Delco battery chargers: the one for $109 looks overpriced for a 6A multi stage charger but I know nothing else about it.
However... the charger for $199 (12V, 15A, 4 stage) appears to be _exactly_ the same plastic moulding and electrical specifications to the charger I purchased about two years ago from Kmart for $99.
My Kmart charger is not the best in that it is a constant current charger as opposed to (the better) constant voltage chargers - it works
well but it's best to switch it off before it raises the charging voltage too high towards the end of the cycle. For $99 I was satisfied with my purchase, had I paid $199 I would not be. Of course, to be fair to SuperCheap I cannot be certain the electronic innards of that charger have not been redesigned - however I have my suspicions :)
Mike Harding
Reply By: Himble - Wednesday, Feb 06, 2008 at 18:24
Wednesday, Feb 06, 2008 at 18:24
Oh ye of little faith Mike!! ;-)
Just kidding of course - you may be right. All I can say is that the 4 stage jobbie I bought from KMart the other day on special for $74 is a beauty!!
Cheers
Himble
AnswerID:
286002
Follow Up By: Mike Harding - Wednesday, Feb 06, 2008 at 20:27
Wednesday, Feb 06, 2008 at 20:27
$74 sounds good - just keep a
check that it doesn't take the charging voltage about 15V.
Mike Harding
FollowupID:
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Follow Up By: Mike Harding - Wednesday, Feb 06, 2008 at 20:45
Wednesday, Feb 06, 2008 at 20:45
That should read "above about 15V".
FollowupID:
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Reply By: Jim from Best Off Road - Wednesday, Feb 06, 2008 at 21:21
Wednesday, Feb 06, 2008 at 21:21
Mike,
I bought a "Calibre" brand, 17 amp, 3 stage, switchmode charger from SC about a year ago for about $175.
Very compact and seems to work
well. I run it off the genny when the solar panel struggles and as far as I can tell, with the use of a multi meter, it definitely has three stages.
Despite the lambasting I gave SC over their customer support with compressors, they do have some very good value items.
Jim.
AnswerID:
286049
Follow Up By: Rod - Wednesday, Feb 06, 2008 at 23:22
Wednesday, Feb 06, 2008 at 23:22
Interested to know what sort of genny you are using with this charger. Is it an inverter type or AVR type ?
FollowupID:
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Follow Up By: Jim from Best Off Road - Thursday, Feb 07, 2008 at 06:33
Thursday, Feb 07, 2008 at 06:33
Kipor 2000
FollowupID:
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Follow Up By: 2517 - Thursday, Feb 07, 2008 at 14:40
Thursday, Feb 07, 2008 at 14:40
I have the same charger works a treat,make in aus,had it now for 18month wired into the Toyota and keep 2 100amp batteries top up when on power.
FollowupID:
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Follow Up By: Mike Harding - Thursday, Feb 07, 2008 at 16:55
Thursday, Feb 07, 2008 at 16:55
Hi Jim
I'm only referring to this one particular charger, I know nothing about their other products. Given that it's not a particularly good charger and I paid only $99 for it some time ago then for SC to sell it for $199 would suggest there is _much_ better value to be had elsewhere.
Mike Harding
FollowupID:
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