Showing posts with label marine battery chargers. Show all posts
Showing posts with label marine battery chargers. Show all posts

YTX16-BS-1 Motorcycle Battery for Suzuki 1500cc VL1500 Intruder C90 T 2005

YTX16-BS-1 Motorcycle Battery for Suzuki 1500cc VL1500 Intruder C90 T 2005
  • Zipp Battery YTX16-BS-1 Mainenance Free and Fully Charged
  • 5.88in (length), 3.44in (width), 6.31in (height); 11.18lbs
  • 18-Month Warranty, 60-Day Money Back Guarantee
  • High Cranking Amps & Low Self-Discharge Rate
  • Heavy Duty Terminals

I usually replace my motorcycle batteries every 2 years. I have been buying them at the local Harley dealer and this model of battery is 154.99. My wife checked amazon and found this battery so I figured I would try it for the price. " What the heck it's only 45.00 shipped lets try it". Much to my surprise the battery arrived fully charged as stated, mounting hardware included, and is the correct size for my motorcycle. Battery is also slightly lighter than the acid filled one it replaced. Great buy in my opinion.

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BatteryMINDer Model 12117: 12 Volt 1.33 Amp (12V 1.33A) Charger/Maintainer/Desulfator

BatteryMINDer Model 12117: 12 Volt 1.33 Amp Charger/Maintainer/Desulfator
  • Full-time battery monitoring automatically tests battery every microsecond, supplying only the current needed to maintain battery at full charge
  • Maintain up to four 12 Volt standard, starting batteries (of similar type - in parallel). Amperage is divided evenly among connected batteries. (NOT recommended for deep cycle batteries)
  • Does not overcharge, regardless of time connected
  • High-frequency pulses safely remove sulphate from battery's plates that prevent the batteries from holding a full charge
  • Adding water references Wet typed batteries. If the water level isn't sufficiently maintained, charging the battery runs the risk of overheating and cooking the battery. The charger applies current to the battery and this can cause the water to boil and evaporate.

...if you own deep cycle batteries. I bought one of these in 2001 as an experiment to desulphate eight 6 volt 225 amp hour deep cycle batteries. The RV park where we were staying used them in their golf carts. They were going to throw 6 Trojan 225 ah batteries in the dumpster. These batteries were in bad shape as evidenced by the constant 6 amps being drawn after being hooked up to their "super" charger for many hours. Essentially, these batteries were so sulphated that they would not accept any more charge. With many chargers the charge current will drop to "0" as battery resistance increases when fully charged.

I mentioned tossing the batteries in the dumpster might be illegal. If they let me have them to do some tests and possibly recover them, I would dispose of them properly if I had no luck. I had just installed a solar panel system with a 2500 watt inverter on my 5th wheel and had only 1 pair of golf cart batteries that was already at least 2 years old. I needed more reserve battery power and calculated that I would need at least 6 of these batteries for the inverter to be of any real use to me. When using batteries in this manner, it is best to use batteries that are in similar condition and ideally from the same lot. Six new batteries were going to cost about $520 with tax.

I got them back to my rig and baselined the charge they would accept on my 10 amp charger. Indeed, they were not accepting any more charge. I paired these old batteries in series to get four 12 volt configurations and spent the next 4 weeks (1 week per pair) on this desulphator. I continued this process until my charger's ammeter would go to zero when the batteries were full, an indication that they were now in good shape. Ultimately, 2 of the batteries would prove to be unrecoverable, but the other 4 plus the 2 I already owned eventually recovered about 90% of their original amp hour capacity based on some standard tests I ran.

My inverter, combined with these recovered batteries, would run my 15,000 BTU air conditioner for nearly an hour, more than enough time to cool our 5th wheel while preparing and consuming lunch in 106 temps in Ca. deserts. The batteries would be nearly fully recharged by the solar panels and charge line from the tow vehicle by the time we reached our destination for the evening. With loving maintenance and care, they had lasted another 5 years providing countless hours of dry camping service! Finally, in 2006, I replaced them with new ones before an extended camping trip.

This charger/desulphator requires 115 vac and a minimum of 11 volts in the battery before you connect to it. So, if your battery is dead, be sure to bring it up the 11 volt minimum before hooking the unit up or it could overheat and be ruined. Also, most of the cheaper old style battery chargers don't have any voltage regulation. Consequently, the voltage these chargers supply to a fully charged battery can exceed well over 14 volts and will eventually "cook" the electrolyte out if you leave them hooked up. They can also overheat the battery, permanently damaging the thinner plate structure of automotive (starting batteries). The VDC model I bought in 2001 can be left on to maintain the charge in lead acid batteries. Check your operator instructions to be sure.

Shortly after recovering these batteries, I bought another desulphator from an Arizona solar supplier capable of desulphating a 1600 a/h battery bank that operates only off of the battery bank. This constant desulphating process along with proper battery maintenance is probably what helped sustain these batteries for an additonal 5 years. In the absence of a desulphator, deep cycle batteries should be "equalized". The interval depends on usage. I was doing it monthly. The equalization process requires a special charger and can be hard on batteries. Desulphation performs a similar function without the harshness of equalization. Desulphation plus judicial use of equalization can extract maximum life out of your deep cycle batteries. I wouldn't be without either one of these desulphators or a 3 or 4 stage battery charger.

A final note: Never let your batteries sit in a discharged condition. As a battery discharges, the sulphate that forms will be easier to return to solution whn prmptly recharged. If you let it sit, the sulphate can harden and be nearly impossible to return to solution.

Buy BatteryMINDer Model 12117: 12 Volt 1.33 Amp (12V 1.33A) Charger/Maintainer/Desulfator Now

Excellent Product; does what it's advertised to do. Comes with lugs/rings and alligator(battery) clamps and a long cord. Works like a cell phone charger, just connect it & plug it in. WILL NOT WORK ON A COMPLETELY DEAD BATTERY!! (If the battery is dead, use your bulk charger to boost it for a couple of hours and then connect the maintainer.) Once the maintainer reaches full charge, it goes into conditioner mode (green flashing light)which is desulphating the battery, exentending its life. Worth the $$$.

Read Best Reviews of BatteryMINDer Model 12117: 12 Volt 1.33 Amp (12V 1.33A) Charger/Maintainer/Desulfator Here

This is something that any guy with a garage and a car should have...especially if you have more than one car. I was more than impressed with this little desulphator/charger's ability to revive a battery that would have otherwise been junked. I have an e34M5 that is notorious for slowly killing batteries. After the battery was dead for over a month, I charged with my "big" battery charger as this cannot help batteries that are on the brink of death without being charged with a larger charger, then I put this on it for two weeks and it was nothing short of a miracle.

If you have a car that sits for long periods, you should get one of these little fellas.

Want BatteryMINDer Model 12117: 12 Volt 1.33 Amp (12V 1.33A) Charger/Maintainer/Desulfator Discount?

I purchased the Battery Minder Plus to restore my boat battery. I am an electronics engineer and had researched what happens to a lead acid battery that causes it to loose its capacity. Though there are other causes, the most common one is sulphation, a coating that forms on the lead plates that is non-conductive reducing their ability to conduct electricity. My battery was so bad that even after many hours of charging on my charger's highest setting, it couldn't hold enough charge to operate the radio, much less engage the starter. I ordered the Battery Minder Plus (at roughly half the price of a new battery). It arrived this past Monday evening. Five days ago. Before I could begin charging, I had to force the Battery Minder into "Maintenance Mode" to start de-sulphating it. Basically zapping the battery with pulses of power that forces the sulphate to disolve. Eventually the battery began to take and hold a charge. This morning I was able to easily start the boat with only the battery. I'm very impressed. Very happy with the product. The manual that comes with it is a bit disorganized and quite redundant but most of the information you need is in there.

Keeps battery charged & conditioned, ready to go. Using it on snowmobile & utility tractor. Just what I was looking for. Appears to be sturdy with strong clips. Easy to use, all automatic.

Dell Latitude Car Adapter D400/D410/D420/D600/D610 AC

Dell Latitude Car Adapter D400/D410/D420/D600/D610 AC
  • This laptop car adapter can be used to run, printers, laptops, power tools, nintendos, TVs and more!
  • Perfect for your toshiba, sony laptop, dell, compaq, ibm, zenith and all others!
  • Guaranteed to work with all laptops! Take your office with you in the car!
  • Quality Products @ Great Prices .... Guaranteed w/SterlingTek!!! Serving You Since 1999!
  • 1 Year Warranty: We always sell new high quality items & we're willing to back them up!

used for battery charger, camera charger, pc, phone charger, and love it. Had it for over 6 months and is working very well. UPDATE JULY 30, 2010. Had it 2 years total. It got stepped on hard about 3 months ago. Stuffed the insides back and taped it up. Still working like a champ.

Love it. Take on every trip. May buy another for the other vehicle. Actually, bought another style/brand did not like it as well.

Buy Dell Latitude Car Adapter D400/D410/D420/D600/D610 AC Now

Put the device in cigarette lighter. After a moment, made a loud noise. Put car in drive, and Shift gear knocked against device. After that, the device made lots more noise, as the fan inside was dislodged. Now, the device is extremely loud, so I deem it worthless. Went and bought a laptop plug, which is what I should have done in the first place.

GTMax White USB Home Travel Charger for Apple iPod Touch 4th Generation

GTMax White USB Home Travel Charger for Apple iPod Touch 4th Generation
  • Very simple and convenient to use
  • Smart design with built-in charging circuitry to prevent overcharge
  • Nice feature with LED charging indicator
  • Made of High Quality Durable Hard Plastic
  • Fast Charges!.Apple iPod®, iPhone®, or iPad® are registered trademarks of Apple, Inc. Products are Apple compatible and not endorsed by Apple, Inc.

I ordered this charger for my son to use with his iPod Touch (4G) when needing to charge in the house. It hooks up to his USB that came with the iPod. I paid more than double the price for my daughter's at our local store but they serve the same purpose so I would definitely recommend it.

Buy GTMax White USB Home Travel Charger for Apple iPod Touch 4th Generation Now

No need to buy expensive Apple products for their devices. This charger works with no flaw at all. You can't beat the price. Recommend it for anyone with an I touch.

Read Best Reviews of GTMax White USB Home Travel Charger for Apple iPod Touch 4th Generation Here

This charger is very convenient and is a great backup if you can't charge your device using a computer. The fact that it lights up makes it more attractive in my opinion.

Want GTMax White USB Home Travel Charger for Apple iPod Touch 4th Generation Discount?

Doesn't charge fast enough :d c c c c c c c c c c c c c c c uuu

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Unfortunately, this charger only lasted for two days and one of the metal prongs came out and got stuck in our outlet. In the process of trying to return it but realized that I have to pay for the return shipping

which will probably cost more than the charger itself. I wouldn't purchase this item if I were you.

Gogo Surge Pink Color USB Travel Kit with Car Charger, Wall Charger and 6.5 FT USB SYNC Cable Adapte

Gogo Surge Pink Color USB Travel Kit with Car Charger, Wall Charger and 6.5 FT USB SYNC Cable Adapter for Apple iPod & iPhone
  • Includes a SUPER EXTRA EXTRA LONG 6.5ft Pink color USB Cable.
  • Compatible with iPad, iPod Nano, iPod Classic, iPod Touch & iPhone (All models)
  • Charge your iPhone or iPod at home, on the road, or whenever it's not connected to a computer
  • Nice Pink Colored Chargers and Cable.

Bought this for my teenager. I like the colors, it keeps the kids from fighting over who's cords are whose! Only been using a few days but so far no issues. I did not expect iphone quality for this price, but the item appears to be well constructed and functional. Super fast shipping!

Buy Gogo Surge Pink Color USB Travel Kit with Car Charger, Wall Charger and 6.5 FT USB SYNC Cable Adapte Now

I bought this specific cord because it said it was extra long but it was the same length as the standard apple cord. Otherwise it works great and is adorable!

Read Best Reviews of Gogo Surge Pink Color USB Travel Kit with Car Charger, Wall Charger and 6.5 FT USB SYNC Cable Adapte Here

I am very disappointed with item & service provided. Product was the wrong size & broke w/1st use & was sent new item but still was the wrong size & wrong color. I DO NOT RECOMMEND!!!! I want a full refund!! I am so dissatisfied!!!

Want Gogo Surge Pink Color USB Travel Kit with Car Charger, Wall Charger and 6.5 FT USB SYNC Cable Adapte Discount?

the car charger and the cord didn't work. in fact the cord broke apart the first time i used it. such a piece of junk this was. and when i put in a claim they assured me they would send me a new product and they did not. They just stopped all contact with me and never sent me a new product or my money back! DONT BUY FROM THEM!!!

Peak PKC0AZ 450 Amp Jump Starter

Peak PKC0AZ 450 Amp Jump Starter
  • Exclusive Low Charge Alert (LCA) Alarm signals owner when jumper needs charging
  • High impact resistant housing with rubberized sure-grip bottom and handle
  • Reverse polarity LED and alarm
  • 5 LED battery power indicator
  • This item is not for sale in Catalina Island

(originally written for a solar power forum, but applies here too)

OK, I wussed out, and bought a commercial product! We have a small sleeping hut built on the ranch now, but no power in it yet. It's going to take a while to mount a panel, batteries, charge controller, wire up lights and such, and we arrive at nighttime, and no where to plug the CPAP in ! So I spent a couple days pricing out different ways to accomplish this, and settled on a portable jump start pack. Found a model with good reviews (Peak PKC0AZ 450), and no air compressor (that often fails after 50 total minutes of use). Located one in stock at local autoparts store, and bought it, taking a chance it's been parked in a warehouse for a year, and then in the back room for 2 more years, resulting in a flat, sulfated battery. (fully half of the complaints at Amazon)

Other choice was to get a AGM battery, rig up a case, cigar jack outlet, charger and hope it still fits into the car.

Upon opening it up, and throwing a voltmeter on it, I was pleased to find it reading 12.85V on a warm afternoon. It's built-in indicator showed it was 4/5 charged also good. I plugged it's wall wart (transformer, not switcher, 12V, .5A) in, and let it top it off for a couple hours, it came to quiescence at 13.37v, and I unplugged it. After an hour, it read 13.13V. Awesome! And the Respironics power cord (for the CPAP) appears to fit snugly into the Lighter jack.

Using my kill-a-watt before I was shopping, I'd discovered that the CPAP consumed about 75 watt hours in a 6 hour run, and that for 2 nights, I'd consume about 12.5 ah of battery. The "450A packs" claim to have an 18AH AGM battery in them, but I figured, I may as well have a portable unit, than a hulk that will last me a month. And if I only ran it one night (6.25 AH consumed) and then recharged, it'd live a long lifetime. Well, the power brick for the CPAP is a pig. After running all night (6 hours) , the voltage in the AM, read 12.66v Whoo hooo! Internal battery indicator LEDs still showed 4/5 charge, way less drain than the power brick used (all my testing is done with humidifier OFF) so even though the brick read about 3 watts idle, it was using more with a light load.

So, this will recharge at my shop, and I think I'll get a plug in lamp timer, and set that for a 1 hour charge daily, to keep it topped off between visits. And since the shop is on solar power, now my CPAP is too!

Added benefit, the power pack has a LED lamp built in, and a USB power port, so I don't even need a cigar plug Y cord to charge my phone and PDA.

So, I've owned this less than 2 days, but I think it will do the job I need it to, and it's not DOA out of the box. It can also charge via a running car too, but I've not tried that yet, I think I can also feed it from a 3 stage charge controller set for AGM. And it can jump start the tractor too, if I need it.

And it was a lot less than the $$ soft side 14ah CPAP battery pack. I hope the AMA does not come after me!

Buy Peak PKC0AZ 450 Amp Jump Starter Now

I purchased this thinking this was an outright 900amp unit, when I went to pick it up (Advanced Auto)the unit stated 450 starting amps and 900 peak amps, obviously no one was able to tell me what that meant. But I kept it in the spirit of giving it a try. At home, I was able to take a closer look, to see the features. A switch for some workable LEDs, not to bad when you don't have a flashlight around. the DC plug, though I didn't use it yet, looked good. Nice rubber bottom on the unit to help it stay in place. After putting it through an 18hr or so charge, I plugged into a work van (Ford V8) that had a completely dead battery. Hooked up the unit to the battery, and ... nothing. Though I did hear the buzzing noise that my key was in the ignition, just not enough to do anything else. Now I left it for about 20 min. Didn't know if that was either enough or I had it on longer than needed or not enough for that matter, but came back and tried it again. I got into the van and this time the starter was trying to engage, and I kept cranking, either it was going to turn over or die on me again. Well it finally did turn over, which means I will be holding on to the unit, since the other two cars I own are 4 cyl. I have not plugged back into the charger I will see how it runs its course. But simply impressed enough for the price. I did get it at AA over than Amazon was purely price, a preblack Friday special of 50.00 which I thought was excellent at the time for 900 amps... which is really 450 starting amps.

Read Best Reviews of Peak PKC0AZ 450 Amp Jump Starter Here

I purchased this with the purpose in mind of using it as a portable power source for things like when I go camping it can provide power for lights, an air mattress inflator, etc. The battery rating of "18 amp/hour" tells you it should be able to run something drawing ~18 amps for 1 hour, 9 amps for 2 hours, etc. I've even tried using it to power a small boat trolling motor for over an hour and it didn't drain it, but I mainly kept the motor on the low setting (using ~8 amps, high would use ~15 amps but I used that only ~10 minute of the time I was out).

The only issues I've had with this unit (why I dropped 1 star) is for charging it, I've had to send power thru the lighter outlet or main jumper cables. The red LED indicating "charging" comes on with it plugged in there, but after leaving it plugged in for an hour there was no increase in voltage. I connect up a charger to the other places and instantly see "12.75V, 12.76, 12.77, etc". Also the switch for the outlets doesn't turn them off, but they work fine. Update Dec 2012: I got the guts to open up the case and on the back of the circuit board, I saw a line of solder going across the switch terminals for the "power outlet" switch. I'm 99% sure that shouldn't have been there, so popped it off and now the switch turns off the outlets.

As far as it living up to it's title of "jump starting" a car, I have doubts. I've tested other units like this finding that just like this battery is ~1/3 the size of a car battery, you won't get but about that much power from it. I dislike the labels like "900 peak amp" to make it sound bigger than a cars battery with "500CCA" (yet I'd bet the only way anyone could get that power for even 1/2 a second from it is by putting a thick metal bar between the clamps). Update Oct-2012: I disconnected my car battery and tried starting my Ford Festiva (4 cyl) with this alone on a morning with it ~40 degrees out. It did start it, but the starter struggled just barely being able to crank it. I tested my car battery the next morning and it's labeled as 500cca, but passed as only a 200cca (showing I need to replace it soon). After doing that test (which drained some power) I started the car off of it and didn't notice anything abnormal, so even with a car battery that's not very good, it seems a lot better than this (perhaps just from it's size and how it's built, perhaps from factors like much better connections thru the bolted on terminals versus thin spring clamps).

The cars battery condition will also play a big role in whether or not this can "boost" you enough. If a cars battery is pretty weak (like from leaving your lights on while you went to a movie for 2 hours) but can still provide some power, this can give you some extra power and has a fair chance of getting you going. But if a cars battery is fully drained (like from leaving lights on all night long) and you hook this up to the dead battery, the dead battery will instantly start "stealing" power (to recharge itself) & probably drain this unit before you can even get from the hood to the driver seat & try to start the car. In that situation I doubt you'll get started without a charging source (an a/c charger or car & jumper cables).

Want Peak PKC0AZ 450 Amp Jump Starter Discount?

Used once in two years.... worked fine. Now, two years later, seems it won't hold a charge. Charged regularly each month to have max performance available, but it is time for a new pack.

My choice: Clore Automotive JNC660 Jump-N-Carry 1,700 Peak Amp 12-Volt Jump Starter

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I bought this to use as an emergency jump starter for our cars. Works great, have only charged once and so far no problems. I like the extra amps as opposed to the smaller ones.

Gomadic Advanced Garmin Forerunner 305 AA Battery Pack Charge Kit - Portable power built with upgrad

Gomadic Advanced Garmin Forerunner 305 AA Battery Pack Charge Kit - Portable power built with upgradeable TipExchange Technology
  • Integrated circuitry regulates output voltage specific to the Garmin Forerunner 305. Advanced logic maximizes overall charger efficiency.
  • Specification: Input Voltage (4 X AA Batteries), Cable length (6 inches), Dimensions (5.0 X 1.5 X 0.75 inches), Circuit Design (Garmin Forerunner 305 specific), TipExchange enabled (Yes)
  • Built using the unique Gomadic TipExchange Technology that protects your investment by providing the ability to upgrade charging ports by simply swapping physical connectors.
  • Easy to operate. Simply insert batteries, toggle on/off switch and your Garmin Forerunner 305 will start to charge.
  • This Gomadic Battery Pack is uniquely designed to work with both standard (e.g. alkaline) and/or rechargeable AA batteries.

Attached to bike with velcro strap and plugged into dying 305 battery works well until I can send the Garmin back to the factory for new battery. If I ever buy another Garmim product, I will make sure it has user replaceable batteries.

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Jabra DRIVE Bluetooth In-Car Speakerphone - Retail Packaging - Black

Jabra DRIVE Bluetooth In-Car Speakerphone - Retail Packaging - BlackI got the Jabra Drive for my wife's car and since she has zero tolerance for anything that takes more than 30 seconds to learn how to use, I specifically chose this model based on it being marketed as simple to use. In that regard, it does live up to it's billing. However ...

The marketing collateral says "...it will connect automatically whenever you get into the car" and this is just not true. Once I read the actual user guide, which by the way has to be downloaded from the Jabra site it makes it pretty clear how it actually works. What the Jabra Drive will do is go into "Sleep mode" when the phones it is connected to go out of Bluetooth range (~50 feet). Then if one of the phones comes back into range within 10 minutes it will automatically connect and go back into "Standby mode" and you are good to make and receive calls. Otherwise, the Jabra Drive will automatically shut off to save battery life. To reconnect, you have to slide the itty-bitty on-off switch to off and then back on again, at which point it will confirm you are connected by saying so.

So the point is that "...it will connect automatically whenever you get into the car" only applies if you get back into the car within 10 minutes from when you left. Good to know ...

That all said; it will connect to two phones simultaneously which is a pretty handy feature in that both my wife and daughter can use the unit together or separately without me needing to reconfigure anything, which is a blessing. Also, pairing was very easy probably the easiest I've experienced with all the various Bluetooth products I've used.

So my recommendation to anyone looking to purchase the Jabra Drive is to understand the caveat regarding Sleep mode and as long as that's not a show stopper for you the product pretty much works as advertised.

Note to Jabra: I suggest once the device goes into sleep mode it could be "awakened" by pressing the "Answer/end" button instead which would be much SIMPLER for the user instead of toggling the itty-bitty on-off switch. Just sayin' ...

The thing about a bluetooth speakerphone or earpiece is that it works best when you actually have it with you. Now, that sounds obvious, and it is, but it's funny how often I'm surprised by how true it is. You see, I have a pretty nice Plantronics Discovery 925 Bluetooth Earpiece (Black, Retail Packaging) but have gotten out of the habit of using it because it's yet one more piece of technology I need to bring along. Plus, I don't particularly like the whole "bluetooth earpiece in the ear all the time" fashion that is supposed to, I suppose, suggest how so very important you are that you have to have something in your ear every second, like you're a communications officer for Starfleet.

I also have a Garmin nüvi 2360LMT 4.3-Inch Widescreen Bluetooth Portable GPS Navigator with US Canada Mexico Lifetime Traffic & Map Updates, which has a really great bluetooth speakerphone built in. Very easy to make calls using voice activation. The sound quality is great. But, I don't like to bring that everywhere I go, especially when I'm going to or from well known locations. I don't want people to steal it, or break into my car looking for it. So, my primitive security measure is to not bring it when I won't need it.

However, even when I know where I am and where I'm going, I still will get calls while I'm out and about. It is illegal here in California to talk on a cell phone while driving. And it's often far too inconvenient to pull over to the side of the road just to answer a couple of questions, or catch up with a friend. Which has meant, in the recent past, that I flout the law at times by talking on my cell phone, all the while hoping that a cop doesn't see me, and all the while wishing that I had brought by earpiece or gps.

That's why I like this Jabra so much. It does one thing and it does it well. Pairing it with a phone couldn't be easier, even older phones that don't usually have any bells or whistles. As long as they have bluetooth, they connect with ease. Two can connect at once.

The sound is loud and fairly good, though my gps is a bit more clear. The best thing, I think, is that this is fairly small, about the size of a garage door opener. It matches that shape too, so is entirely unobtrusive hanging on my driver's side visor.

Easy to use, unobtrusive, good sound quality, good battery life. All these things combined mean that this is the bluetooth speakerphone that actually gets used because it's the one that always stays in the car.

Though, I've also learned it serves a handy purpose beyond just staying in the car. It also makes for a good speakerphone in general, as it is much louder than the one on my cell phone.

So, it works and it is highly convenient.

That's exactly what I need.

Buy Jabra DRIVE Bluetooth In-Car Speakerphone - Retail Packaging - Black Now

I'm not a fan of the bluetooth sets that you stick in your ear so the idea of reviewing a speakerphone version was actually right up my alley. I seem to get most of my phone calls when I'm in my car, so this scenario worked our well for me for the most part.

Here are the pros and cons of my experience:

The Good: Easy to use, easy to set up. I'm slowly getting more savvy with electronics but I'm still pretty much a dim bulb as far as set up and everything goes. This didn't really come with any instructions but then they didn't really need to for the most part. My phone connected rather quickly to the Jabra, which was good, and I was soon on my way to making many, many phone calls. I liked that I could clip it to my visor and let it do its thing up there. Also nice was that I could use it to listen to music that I had downloaded to my phone. The battery charge lasts long enough for my purposes and I liked that you could easily replace the cord if you lost/forgot the one that came with the speakerphone. I hate it when I get things with cords that can only be replaced by the company, so this was a nice touch. I also liked that the phone's volume was pretty loud since I sometimes have trouble hearing things as well as others might. I still had to occasionally ask someone to repeat themselves, but that's more my issue than the speakerphone's.

The Bad and Inbetween: While I liked that I could clip it to my visor, I found that unless I wanted to put myself at risk of getting it stolen I had to either take it down after each car ride or flip it around to where the speaker part was hidden along the ceiling. This isn't a dealbreaker for me but it just got a little irritating after a while. For a speaker of this size the quality was decent. Music-wise you'd be better off with some of the other options out there (radio, speakers that hook up to your mp3 player, mp3 radio transmitters,etc), but as far as phone call quality went it was better than my phone's speakerphone ability. (My phone is a LG Envy Touch, so that might not be saying much.)

My biggest gripe was that you really needed to have the mic close to your mouth in order for the other person to really hear what you're saying and you'll need to turn off your radio and anything else that might distort the sound. That might sound like a no-brainer, but I found that my car's AC system was (at full and semi-full blast) just slightly too loud and the mic picked it up. I also found that people were having a little trouble hearing people sitting nearby, so if you're hoping to have conference calls with this you'll probably want to make sure that any passengers speak extra loud so they'll be heard. (Although I'm glad to say that a passenger won't have any problems hearing the person on the other end, which is probably what counts in this situation.) This kept me from giving it as high of a rating as I would have otherwise wanted to.

All in all this is a pretty decent unit. For people like me, who don't like the bluetooth earpieces for whatever reason, this will be a nice thing to have.

Read Best Reviews of Jabra DRIVE Bluetooth In-Car Speakerphone - Retail Packaging - Black Here

Bluetooth handsfree has quickly become a very desirable feature on new cars, for the obvious safety and convenience it offers. For those of us without a built-in bluetooth capable head-unit, the visor mounted version is probably one of the best alternatives, as its location on the visor so close to the driver's ears and mouth is nearly ideal.

Pros:

Beautiful and beautifully made. I cannot find another visor mounted model with this much quality and design, and the prices is quite competitive for what you get. It doesn't look like a square garage opene, and the shape isn't overwrought. The metal clip with its high grade plastic functional layouts makes this quite pleasant to behold, and should fit in with the best of car interiors.

Sound: the microphone pick up is fairly clear, and the speaker is quite loud. I wouldn't play music on a speaker like that (see cons), but for phone calls and speech (such as GPS directions), it is quite excellent with emphasis on just the voice sound spectrum.

Longevity: the standby time is really quite long. I haven't really calculated precise numbers, but it has been sitting in my car for almost two months without recharge. It still turns right on. It will hibernate/turn off if left on standby for a while, which probably contributed to the battery life.

Operation: other than the power toggle, which you don't really need to bother with most of the time, everything else (volume, the main button) are all very easy to locate and press, with a good tactile feel. The speaker grille is a giant button in itself, with a discreet, phone handset shaped flashing LED indicator. Pairing and call controls have been nothing but reliable.

Voice prompt: simple things like "Connected" just does wonders in putting out doubts that LEDs never can.

Cons:

A2DP: The headset pairs with A2DP, or bluetooth stereo/media protocol with your phone. The problem is that the speaker is really not made out to play music, and it'll sound pretty tinny and ridiculous. Also A2DP is turned off automatically during a call when Microphone is in use. I wonder if there isn't a way to leave just the call to the Jabra and music to the 3.5mm plug.

Sleep/Hibernate: it will turn off after a while, and so when you enter the car the phone won't automatically pair. It will save the battery and makes sense, but one just has to remember to turn it on if if it doesn't respond with "Connected" as you enter the car. If it's within a few hours it seems to be on standby and it works fine, with automatic pairing happening seamlessly.

I really like this visor headset. Compared to similar products owned by my peers, Jabra Drive's industrial design is almost art. There's little that I can gripe about this, and it worked very well with clear sounds, yet unlike many bluetooth products, also transparently and fairly maintenance free. The long battery life has made that possible, and despite my initial doubts, this has exceeded all my expectations. If you are in the market for a visor mounted bluetooth handsfree, this is definitely worth serious consideration.

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For a test, I had my wife set this up. She's not that familiar or comfortable with blue-tooth devices, so I thought doing this would be a good trial. She has a blue tooth capable smart phone, and she had no problem whatsoever connecting it to her phone and using it.

Sound quality is quite good, both for the user of this speakerphone, and for the person on the other end of the call. It fits nicely and securely on the car's sun visor. We found the product quite satisfactory and confidently recommend it.

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Motorola MT352TPR Giant FRS Weatherproof Two-Way - 35 Mile Radio Triple Pack - Silver

Motorola MT352TPR Giant FRS Weatherproof Two-Way - 35 Mile Radio Triple Pack - Silver
  • The Motorola Talkabout MT352 series is the recommended choice when it comes to battery life performance.
  • It has up to twice the amount of battery life than compared to the standard NiMH rechargeable battery pack.
  • With a range of up to 35 miles, it's perfect for active outdoor excursions or life's every day adventures.
  • The VibraCall silent vibrating ringer is especially useful for locations where ringing can be intrusive.
  • MT352TPR includes:3 radios, 3 NiMH rechargeable battery packs, 3 belt clips, 1 Y cable wall adapter with 2 mini-USB connectors, 1 wall adaptor with a single mini-USB connector, 1 Emergency Preparedness checklist sheet, 1 user guide, 1 accessories sheet.

These radios are great for the price. We use them for camera crews working different areas of large convention centers. Fair communication indoors up to 1/2 mile, nothing beyond that. Still much better than other lesser distance radios. No interferance either way with pro audio equipment. I recommend you buy better headsets, the supplied units all only worked intermittantly, not dependable. battery life needed watching, would go from 2/3 down to zero. Seemed like the display was not refreshing often enough to help, just charge them daily for heavy use, every other day for random day use. great product for this semi-pro price range.

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We own a few radios but this is the best one yet. The audio clarity is great! Flashlight is a cool addition and the fact that it charges through mini-usb. I hated those bulky chargers, never liked carrying those along and never understood why they would not do the same as they do for their cellphones.

Read Best Reviews of Motorola MT352TPR Giant FRS Weatherproof Two-Way - 35 Mile Radio Triple Pack - Silver Here

This product is better than I had expected. I have used this type of two-way radio before with poor reception but these Motorola's far exceed what is posted on the website. I purchased 6 for my organization to use while on outings and so far there have been no issues, even when we get far apart. I am not quite sure about the 35 mile range...maybe on the flat eastern plains of Colorado...not in the city though. Overall, a great product and they do what we need them to!

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These things are amazing. They really feel heavy duty and feel like they could take a good hit. I haven't tried breaking them, yet; that's for next week. The belt clip feels flimsy, but appears to hold up pretty well. The emergency weather radio function is neat, but not useful for me. The flash light should have been brighter, but will do when it's really dark out. The batteries already come charged and ready to use. If you're a frequent user of these, I recommend the desktop cradle charger as the mini USB port can be obnoxious.

The only other SLIGHTLY obnoxious problem is the 1/2 second transmission delay when pressing the talk button. Unless everyone who uses these is made aware, the first word or two of the transmission will be lost. Not a deal breaker, since I'm guessing all 2-way radios like these have this problem.

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These are awesome. If you have line-of-sight, the signal is crystal-clear at well over 10 miles. If either person is inside, the range is more like 1-2 miles.

Hitachi DB3DL2 3.6-Volt 1/4-Inch Hex Drive Screwdriver

Hitachi DB3DL2 3.6-Volt 1/4-Inch Hex Drive Screwdriver
  • Comes with (2) 1.5-amp-hour, 3.6-Volt lithium-ion batteries
  • Handles convert from straight grip to pistol grip
  • Features adjustable clutch with 21-stage torque
  • Built-in LED light for added visibility
  • Comes with a lifetime lithium-ion tool warranty and a 2-year lithium-ion battery warranty
  • Comes with Hitachi's lifetime Lithium-Ion tool warranty

This is my 2nd Hitachi power driver....same one. I had my 1st one for over 3 years , which I totally rely on for work as a PC tech. The forward / reverse switch started getting sticky. I will be sending it in under its life time warranty for repair (a big plus). The new model apprantly is a little thicker with a grip and almost an inch longer....the switch feels better...comes with a brighter LED light...and overall its more quieter / smoother. There's a lot of torque...too much even @ the lowest setting (1) for my personal use most of the time. I also use it for personal home jobs...which has the potential for heavy duty functions. The battery life is good....and uses the same type. It only takes 30 minute for full charge. Great tool!

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Before getting into the review, I need to comment that I am a stickler about my tools. I tend to find one brand that has a great reputation, works well for me and proves reliable, and then I usually stick with that brand. Over the past 20 years, I've been particularly pleased with both my Porter Cable and Bosch acquisitions and have centered my tool acquisitions around these fine brands.

After much deliberation, I decided to get the Hitachi DB3DL2 instead of the Bosch PS10-SA. While the Bosch has excellent reviews and a deserved reputation for being extremely powerful, it was a bit "too much" for what I was seeking to do with a small and compact driver. When I need major drilling or driving, I'll always turn to my big PC 19.2V drill/driver. But, when I want a small driver for general light screw driving around the house, I need something that is fairly compact, light, but still plenty powerful. But, not TOO powerful. And, many of the reviews on the Bosch stated that the PS10-2A was just a little too big, and a little too powerful (in fact, it apparently has a reputation for stripping or over-torquing screws).

While I have seen many different Hitachi tools (with very happy owners), I had never really considered purchasing one for fear of going with a new brand. Also, the 3.6V power source concerned me as being "too light, too little". But, I decided to give it a try with the intent on returning the driver if it didn't prove its worth. Well, this little guy is now my primary driver around the house and will be enjoying a long and fruitful life here at home. This is an outstanding tool.

First, the DB3DL2 is very light and comfortable in the hand. It drives screws in an out like a banshee, and you get a really respectable service life out of a single charge. I haven't had any problems driving screws for the installation of window blinds or tight electrical box screws. I've also driven large #8 and #6 screws into wall studs with ease. The clutch system on this driver is excellent for the small driving work for which the system was intended -very easy to dial in and find the correct torque release setting.

The LED lighting on the front of the driver is welcome for dark area work, such as cabinet installation or electrical work (where you don't have a power source for illumination). Battery installation and removal is easy, though the visual cues for battery insertion could be better (it's a hit or miss type insertion where you may have to turn the battery a little to find the correct orientation to complete the insertion). Battery charging is straightforward and only takes about an hour. The folding pistol grip is great when you need to quickly change the orientation of the driver for a little more torque, but it easily converts back to a typical straight driver configuration (which I find I use most of the time).

No real issues to report. It has been a super-reliable, very well designed and made driver which has been a welcome new tool and brand to my tool box. I won't hesitate to purchase another Hitachi tool from this point on, and will include Hitachi as another "preferred vendor", along with Bosch and PC. I highly recommend this fine tool.

PROS:

Perfect feel "in hand" light but stout, perfectly sized (even for someone with gargantuan paws such as me), and a great rubberized grip which gives you confidence when holding the driver. Excellent ergonomics

LED lighting on the front which reasonably illuminates the work area. The Bosch does not have such a light, and that was a major factor in my decision to get the DB3DL2.

Excellent clutch system which is ideally set for the light-duty torquing that this driver was intended to do. It works perfectly and is easy to dial in.

Very strong driver when you need it -this little guy can really crank when you need it (especially if you have the clutch set in drill mode).

So far, great battery life and consistent torque and power.

CONS:

I wish there was a way to lock the handle in either "straight" mode or "pistol" mode. While I've not yet run into a situation where the driver has collapsed while in use, it would provide a nice sense of security when really pushing down hard on the driver in "straight" mode.

The battery is round and keyed, and it will only fit into the grip in one way. However, there isn't any immediate visual cue that says "insert this way only" -such as a pair of identical symbols on battery and grip, or an asymmetrical shape which instantly indicates how the battery should be inserted. Not a big deal as you will find the correct rotation of the battery in a few seconds, but it could be improved.

There is a single LED light on the front of the driver, but it is not directly centered on the work area (offset by about an inch). DeWalt puts three lights on their drivers for consistent illumination of the work area from all angles. Adding one or two additional LEDs would really help in this department.

Read Best Reviews of Hitachi DB3DL2 3.6-Volt 1/4-Inch Hex Drive Screwdriver Here

I purchased this Hitachi screwdriver to replace a Milwaukee 6547-22 2.4-Volt Two Speed Cordless Screwdriver for which I've had to purchase three additional pairs of batteries beside the ones supplied with it. The third replacement set failed after they had only been in use for five months.

Admittedly, I am a very poor steward of batteries I often forget that I have placed them in the charger. Without a near-perfect charger (which experience tells me the Milwaukee is certainly not) NiCad's quickly fail. When subject to the abuse I give them. Again, citing my own experience, LiIon batteries are much more tolerant of the abuse I give them or the currently available chargers are better suited to my form of abuse i.e. I have never had a failed LiIon battery.

The Hitachi screwdriver is almost identically the same size and weight as the Milwaukee but seems to go about three times longer on a freshly charged battery.

They both have the same torque limiting feature and the very handy rocker forward-stop-backward switch and the speed selector switch is in the same place on each. The Hitachi has a positive action bit holder (that I find the be a mixed blessing because I use a magnetic bit holder) and a marginally useful flashlight led.

Hitachi also gives a two-year battery warranty, which may be useful if my prior experience with LiIon batteries does not persist.

On net: The Milwaukee tool has served me well for a very long time and, but for the battery problems, I would never have replaced it in its time, it was a five-star product. I think that the Hitachi screwdriver is a worthy successor.

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I purchased one of these about 2 years ago and have used it daily for my work. This thing is amazing! The adjustable clutch works perfect and even though it's only 3.8v, it will drive in fairly large screws. I have used, abused, and done more with this screwdriver than any other one I have seen. People often comment on it and say "where did you get that"? I think I am going to buy another one just in case they discontinue it.

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I bought this to primarily use for my son and I's R/C hobby, but it has quickly became a go to tool for around the house jobs as well. It beat's pulling out my heavy 19.2 drill. The battery lasts and lasts and when it starts to fade, just swap it out with the spare ( a nice option as some only come with on battery). The batteries charge quickly as well.

The clutch works flawlessly. It's very sensitive and on the lowest setting is perfect for our r/c cars. They go just far enough that I can finish tightening by hand, which I really like.

The only gripe I have, but is in no way a deal breaker, is I wish there was a way to lock it in either pistol or straight. I hope the hinge doesn't wear out, but since I use it 99% of time in pistol, it shouldn't. Also I like having the option to use it as a straight driver. Some lower priced unit's do not offer this.

For the price, this screwdriver cannot be beat. I have used other's priced twice what this one is and there is no way they are worth it. Give the Hitachi a shot and don't look back!

Gmrs/frs 2-WAY Radios with 16-MILE Range

Gmrs/frs 2-WAY Radios with 16-MILE RangeI needed more coverage than the typical FRS radios provide. I work with people outdoors in hilly terain, reliable communications is vital, so I tried 4 of these SX800R radios from Mot. They where easy to set up and use. The crew trained up in less that 5 minutes. They provided the extended coverage needed and worked reliably. Fast recharge and day long battery life was just what we needed.

The FCC has a quick and pain free way to get the license to operate at the higher power levels of GMRS. Still in use today and very handy.

As a former 2/75th Ranger, I found these radios to be satisfactory for what they are. I only use it when I need to be able to speak to the wife while we're working on projects (no, I don't make her transmit properly over the net, but I do tie it off to her body ...lol), but these SX800R radios allow me to talk to her across a city block (approx 200-300m) in downtown Las Vegas. That means trees, homes, apartments, townhouses and a shopping center in between us... just not as loud and with static/white/pink noise. That's downright impressive for a walkie-talkie "toy" radio. There were no battery failures/issues. Follow the directions and DON'T turn them on for the first 16 hours of charging... a problem for most, I'd bet. The belt clips are fine, no breakages there either. There is a lanyard hole for you to tie them off, so that's a non-issue as well. If I have a gripe, it's not to do with the radio, but the need for an accessory mic and earpiece, as it's a PITA having to hold the radio up like a walkie talkie to receive and transmit because my hands are usually full. Personally, I'll fix that issue with a QUALITY throat-mic (whisper mic for the hooahs) and acoustic ear tube setup... or maybe the secret service hand-mic setup. I digress, but overall, after reading all the reviews of the prior Motorola FRS/GMRS online, I'm satisfied with the SX800R, especially the price... almost free, considering my other options. -RLTW

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Just did a A/B comparison between the SX800R (16 mile range)and the Midland GXT-450 (10 or 12 mile range). Neither radio came anywhere near the effective range advertised. The Midland lost communcation after 1/2 of a mile apart in the woods. I then tried both radios on a flat open road. At 2.9 miles apart, neither radio could pick up it's counterpart. It wasn't until we hit the 1.8 mile mark that the Motorola picked up some static from the other Motorola. Still nothing from the Midland. At approx 1.5 miles apart, the motorola worked fine. I gave up with the Midland. The reason I did not give the Motorola a 1 star rating was because I like the weather band feature. Bottom line is, that unless you are in an airplane with no obstructions at all or curvature of the earth to worry about, forget about getting anywhere near the advertised range. A good rule of thumb is, if you can see the other person, then you are in range.

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Range is not as good as claimed. Volume needs to be louder. Fully charged batteries last a long time.

EDITThese walkie talkies are pretty much junk now. May be battery-related but I don't want to spend more money on them.

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+ compact and lightweight

no vibra

no low power transmition (at 0.5W)

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AeroVironment Residential EV Charger, 15' cable (Level 2 EVSE-RS: 7.2kW, 30A)

AeroVironment Residential EV Charger, 15' cable
  • The original UL-listed electric car "fueling" station for the home; charges your Electric Vehicle or Plug-in Hybrid in 2-8 hours
  • The choice of thousands of drivers and the preferred charging partner of the Nissan LEAF, BMW Active-E and Mitsubishi iMiev
  • 15-foot cable lets you refuel multiple cars and install close to your power source, minimizing installation costs
  • Rated safe for indoor/outdoor use and compatible with all major EV models
  • 3-year warranty provided; industry-leading installation warranty also available

I install chargers and I needed a low cost option that was exterior rated. This product has always been great, but it used to be pricey. Now it is almost as low priced as the other brand of interior chargers and it works great!

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I've seen several charging units and this is one of the better quality designs. We have it on the outside of the building and the seals are very tight.

Read Best Reviews of AeroVironment Residential EV Charger, 15' cable (Level 2 EVSE-RS: 7.2kW, 30A) Here

Does a great job, well built, but very expensive for what you get. Easy to modify for portability and built to with stand travel.

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Having recently purchased a Nissan LEAF I was in need of a home charging station since they don't recommend routinely using the 110 volt trickle charger that comes with it. After looking at a range of units at varying prices I decided to not take any chances and go with the unit that Nissan recommends and has worked with. The price on Amazon is attractive (cheaper than other sources). I did my own installation since I am comfortable working with electrical installations. The only thing one must recognize is that you will probably have to install a new 220 volt service dedicated to this device circuit breaker and wiring. Pulling in a new 8 gauge cable is a challenge if you have to go very far and might be best left to the pros. My installation is adjacent to the C/B panel so was not too bad. So far the unit works great and I am fully charged up in no time.

WKA12-12F2 Replacement Battery 12 volt 12ah F2 terminals

WKA12-12F2 Replacement Battery 12 volt 12ah F2 terminals
  • 12 volt 12 amp hour
  • Standard F2 terminals
  • SLA Rechargeable
  • Non Spillable
  • terminal covers to protect while shipped

I just had to buy 2 of these batteries for an APC UPS power supply. This is the second time I have replaced these batteries and the last set of Werker batteries lasted 3 years. I have used Werker batteries and had reasonable success with them and the price was 60% of buying the original replacement batteries.

I did have one battery go bad after a little over a year so that is why I gave it only 4 stars. The warranty is for 1 year. (Same as the warranty on the original replacement batteries)

They are good quality and lower in price for the equivalent performance. They are 12 VDC batteries rated at 12 AH. When you are changing them in a UPS, make sure that you remove any external battery jumper (If you have one on your UPS) for safety reasons. Also carefully remove and save your internal connection cables and make sure that the fuse in still ok that is located between the two batteries.

They will not be fully charged when you get them so they will take at least 24 hours to reach peak performance. Based on the results I have seen in my personal experience these batteries are a good buy.

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It is true that this is not a Werker brand battery, but it is a replacement for the listed Werker brand battery at a very reasonable price. The one that I received from eCom arrived quickly but just packed within bubble wrap and a couple of bubble-wrap envelopes. However, it seemed to survive the trip from New York to Arizona and went right in my UPS and tested fine with almost no charging time before I tested it. The date code on the battery was a little over a year old. So only time will tell how long the battery lasts for me and whether I get the service out of it that I got from the Werker battery that it replaced. I will update this review if I encounter problems--otherwise you can assume that things are still working fine for me.

Read Best Reviews of WKA12-12F2 Replacement Battery 12 volt 12ah F2 terminals Here

Quality, value for product, fit well into battery compartment and I would recommend this product to anyone needing this product.

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The battery I received is the Chinese version of this battery. Still 12V 12Ah, but a different part number. Sort of bait and switch. Because I picked this one because I wanted a Werker battery.

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Battery is working fine so far. This should last a long time so too soon to tell if it is as good as the original that came in the UPS.

Schumacher SP2 1 Amp Battery Charger/Maintainer

Schumacher SP2 1 Amp Battery Charger/Maintainer
  • Automatic 1 ampere battery charger/maintainer
  • Includes 20 feet quick connect harness
  • Auto-voltage detection automatically detects 6 and 12 volt batteries
  • Float mode monitoring automatically maintains optimum battery charge

This charger is a big value in a small package.I live in the northeast.Winter time i am unable to ride my harley so i use this to maintain my battery. Now i dont have to remove it. Getting to the battery was harder than installing the quick connect plug. I would recommend this charger to fellow rider's. It is one small compact unit and priced well with-in anyone's budget.Quality,value and reliability. Schumacher in charge of it all.

Schumacher SP2 1 Amp Battery Charger/Maintainer

Buy Schumacher SP2 1 Amp Battery Charger/Maintainer Now

I connected up the battery maintainer to my 8N 6 volt tractor and so far, every time I have went to start the tractor the battery has been hot! I was really concerned about the positive ground on the tractor. No problem.

Other battery maintainer manufacturers couldn't assure me it would work or how to hook it up.

I have one on my 1973 truck that is garaged and infrequently driven. It sat for 10 years with maybe 200 miles per year. No battery problems.

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Basically the charger lets you know what it's doing; charging or maintaining. That gives a god indication of the condition of the battery.

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I have purchased 4 of these for my atv's and have had no problems. Nice long cords. Good clamps. Easy to see what mode it is in. would highly recommend

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The hardware is good, but the instruction manual could be improved upon. But the price is very good for the value

Schumacher SE-4020 10/40/200-AMP Wheel-Style Charger/Starter

Schumacher SE-4020 10/40/200-AMP Wheel-Style Charger/Starter
  • Heavy duty, wheel charger is recommended for home, farm, garage and recreational use on maintenance free, low maintenance, deep cycle and conventional 6 and 12-Volt batteries
  • 10-Amp high rate continuous charger will recharge batteries in 3- to 5-hours
  • 40-Amp fast charge will quickly recharge dead batteries in 40-minutes to 2-1/2-hours
  • 200-Amp starter charger provides up to 350-Amps of engine cranking power to assist in starting cars, trucks, vans, RV's and most large industrial or farm equipment
  • 150-Minute timer automatically shuts charger off or use the hold position for continuous or overnight charging

Ive had this a couple of years and it really hasn't measured up. It can charge quickly but not fast, has no over charge protection, most of the parts are on the low end (ie wheels, handle, cables, clamps). It seems to be twice as large as it needs to be. But the 2 biggest issues with this is the poor performance of the 200-amp start and the cables literally melting every time you use it. I have used this 15 20 times over 2 years and the cables have ROTTED off. First the cable insulation would melt and smoke when I used the 40 or 200 amp settings, then, when I could see the wire I realized it was corroded and soon broke. Its obvious the cables were the cheapest they could get away with and thats just dangerous. It makes me question whats inside. I wouldn't mind all the trim being low end but when you cut corners with the core product thats just not safe.

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I have been trying to locate from Amazon.com a charger that would individually charge Trojan 105 Batteries used for Golf Carts. The description said the SE4020 would do this but when I tried to charge a six volt deep cell battery it did not do the job. The clamps are not heavy enough to clamp heavy duty batteries, nor are the wires. I believe the wires should be a heavier guage to prevent over heating. The only reason I gave it 4 stars is because of the reason specified above. Also I really think Schumacher should have used a more heavier metal in the construction of this charger. The edges of the charger on the bottom are very sharp and could cut you easily if you are not very careful. The wheels are also what you would find on a toy doll carriage, not a good quality battery charger. As for being a charger for all other types of batteries this charger would probably do the job it as designed. Just cheaply constructed!

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i use the charger all the time..works great and its pretty tough..it gets knocked around all scratched up forgotten outside in the rain and snow..keeps on workin !!the 200 amp will start stone dead car...the trickle charge will bring a battery back from the dead{depends on the battery's condition}...what else could you ask for ???

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I received this Schumacher SE-4020 BATTERY CHARGER today, first of all let me say it was packed real good and no damage and I received it in a timely manner. Now having said that there are some things I was not too happy with and somewhat disappointed. First of all a reviewer before I ordered this said in his review that he felt the battery leads and clamps were not heavy enough, I TOTAL AGREE WITH HIS ACCESSMENT COMPLETELY, they may work but pretty light duty in my opinion too! They wire is pretty light guage and the clamps are not too empressive, somewhat chincy if that's a word!! Secondly the screws for the clamps that hold the axle to the bottom were way too small for the pilot holes that were pre-drilled and they would not tighten up, now I have to get larger ones it appears and that sucks. Thirdly the self tapping screws for the handle, the Chinese needs to have someone show them what a self tapping screw is, the attempt was made to make them that way but NO CIGAR! And those little drive on caps that hold the wheels on the axle, THEY DO SUCK OUT LOUD FOR SURE! The wheels themself are pretty generic as well. All in all I haven't used it yet and it may work fine, definently a good looking battery charger but not too empressed with the thought or better yet VERY LITTLE THOUGHT for the screws, clamps or guage wire used or the rest of the hardware, by the way the 110 volt wire for the plug-in is heavier than the battery clamp wires, go figure if the clamp wires had of even been as heavy wouldn't have been as bad! Just being real and upfront here, again nice looking battery charger but there needs to be some attention paid to detail items. Just maybe if it wasn't such a hassle I would send it back, again have not used it yet so we'll see first, but NOT a real happy customer on this purchase!!! More than likely will keep it if it WORKS!

This is my personal opnion and now at least you have the truth as I see it, and rest of the story. Maybe in somes eyes I am too picky too much but truth is the truth in my mind! I do think it is a good looking charge so gave it the benifit of the doubt on 3 stars, did think about 2 but darn good looking charger, lets hope it works when I need it!

Thanks for reading my novel, guess you get what you pay for and this wasn't a fortune by no means.

Bill

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I work on old classic cars at home and most of my life. This charger is great for the guy at home that needs good instant starting power quickly. It will also charge 6 volt batterys. The instant 12 volt start system on the unit works great. Unit is not professional quality but works absolutly great for home use. It could be used in a professional shop but every day use would shorten it life span. If you want a nice item to add to your home shop that will not let you down this is the one and priced well.

Garmin GPS Nuvi 255w Accessory Bundle - Car Charger + Home Travel AC Charger + USB Data Cable

Garmin GPS Nuvi 255w Accessory Bundle - Car Charger + Home Travel AC Charger + USB Data Cable
  • This Combo Pack Includes: One rapid car charger (non-OEM), One home charger (non-OEM),One USB data cable , One Microfiber Cleaning Cloth with Retail Packing ( 1-pack, color may vary) + One Stars Stripes Silicone Wristband
  • Home Travel Charger (AC) allows charging from any outlet and compacts for easy traveling.
  • Car Charger (DC) allows you to rapid or slow charge your phone from any vehicle 12 volt "cigarette lighter" style adapter.
  • USB Data Cable allows you to sync from computer (software not included)
  • Travel Charger, Car Charger, and USB Charger Cable

I ordered these to put into a second vehicle, and to charge my new GPS from wall outlets. Neither the car charger nor the wall charger would charge the GPS. The GPS reacted to being plugged in as if it were plugged into a USB cable to a computer, or cycled through an attempt to open maps.

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The AC charger in this combination destroyed the battery in my new Garman. I thought the problem was the Garman itself. I was wrong. When I received the replacement Garman from Amazon I called the Garman help line. Under the guidance of the Garman representative I hooked up the AC charger to my replacement Garman. The displays I should have gotten in that charging situation did not occur. What I did experience during that charging raised concern with the representative. He told me to disconnect the AC charger immediately. He then instructed me to charge the unit using a usb connection to my computer. When I did that the charging procedure worked perfectly.

I returned the AC Charger to Amazon and was told I would get a full refund.

I ordered a new AC Charger directly from Garman. When I received that AC charger I immediately hooked it up to my Garman and it worked perfectly.

I'll most likely deal with Garman directly if I want to obtain any other additions to my new Garman.

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I want to say at the outset that I have absolutely no complains with either the functioning of my GPS and nor with the accessories bundle. My complaint is with item presentation on Amazon's website. T

There was no explaination on why a newbie to GPS purchasing would even need such items. I, in my ignorance bought the total package. But, I had bought the GPS and the accessory bundle under the false assumption that all items would be shipped together from Amazon. WRONG!!! They are from separate vendors. I paid full shipping on each individual accessory. In one case, a 0.75 connection cord cost me five dollars.

Buyer Beware !!!

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Was grateful for this package of replacement chargers. Didn't need all three, but it was a good price. And it was posted and arrived quicker than I expected.

It came with everything it says. It was well worth the buy. My mom is very happy with it. Everything works properly