Harbor Freight Battery Charger

911FASCINATION · 03-02-2010, 02:10 PM

Hi folks, Has anyone purchased the HF battery charger/engine starter?? It's lot no. 66783, and says 10/2/55 amp, 6/12 volt and is currently on sale with a coupon for $25. I did a search and found quite a lot on their float chargers, but nothing in regards to this. I'd like an all-purpose charger for the 911 as well as misc. vehicles from vintage tractors to bikes and antique jeeps. Thanks much!

Nine9six · Nine9six's Garage

Yes, I have had one for years now and it has served me flawlessly.
While I believe in always trickle charging, the 55 amp jump setting has saved my bacon more than a couple occasioins.
Hope this helps...

OldTee · 03-02-2010, 04:23 PM

I have one of those. Charges ok. Wouldn't use it for starting tho, but to be truthful haven't tried.

sfoster13 · 03-05-2010, 04:42 AM

Mine didn't work straight out of the box.

bkreigsr · 03-05-2010, 08:02 AM

spend the extra $30 bucks and get a Vector with smart technology. Looks like you are going to use it on a variety of applications, so the peace of mind would be worth the $$.
I've had a std charger fry my charging system, (okay, mostly user error), but now I'm better safe than sorry.
my .02
Bill K

hessel1974 · hessel1974's Garage

I swear by a C-TEK XS-800 trickle charger. Never failed me and conditions the battery as well. I would spend a little bit more if I where you.

JFairman · 03-05-2010, 10:32 AM

If you buy it, keep it as far from the car while using it as possible...

I've seen some Harbor Freight electrical tools blow up in sparks and smoke in a rather dramatic way.

At the same time some of their stuff works good and is a bargain.

sean m · sean m's Garage

FWIW.....I bought a trickle charge Schumacher from Walmart for $20.00 and it works like a champ....

bklyn · 03-07-2010, 07:35 AM

I bought the sears Die Hard trickle charger for $25.00 it charges and floats. Comes with both the clips and the eye clips so all you have to do is plug it in, not bad. Seems to work real well.

911pcars · 03-08-2010, 11:40 AM

Jumping a dead battery with either a booster battery or high current charger always results in the vehicle alternator to create full output to recharge the discharged battery. In a 911, this often results in shortened alternator service life.

It's recommended to fully charge the vehicle battery before cranking, and for that, all you need is a trickle charger or, for longer term storage, a battery maintainer. The HF units work, but there's a question as to the longevity of some models. I have permanently connected the HF battery maintainer, the model with a recessed 110VAC cord connector, and it has worked fine for about 3 years thus far (about $15).

I just looked and the model described above is NLA. Other models may be equivalent.

Harbor Freight Tools

Sherwood