Battery chargers/car starter/booster packs

[Silver R/T]

What do you guys have and how do you like it?
I have older Schumacher manual battery charger. It's alright but I can't jump start car with it. It just charges batteries and I better keep an eye on it cause it won't auto shut off.
Recently bought this booster pack http://www.harborfreight.com/12-volt-jump-start-and-power-supply-38391.html

Today I tried to just start my diesel truck with it (low batteries) Truck just clicked as it usually does with low batteries. I guess not enough amps to start my CTD. I'm probably going to return this booster pack, really want something with more power.
I came across this on ebay though, seems like a good price and supposed to be able to jump start car with it.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/New-Schumacher-Battery-Charger-Maintainer-Starter-Tester-Car-12-Amp-Auto-Charge-/261345493254?pt=Motors_Car_Truck_Parts_Accessories&hash=item3cd967c106&vxp=mtr

Any suggestions/recommendations?

[Ghoste]

They're indispensable in the old car auction biz but spend the money for a good one.

[Cooter]

Booster packs are just that a boost for a low battery. Will NOT start a DEAD vehicle...
Btw, how many here like to hear the alternator whine like hell while 'charging' that dead battery after a jump?

Your killing your alternator. It is designed to maintain the battery as needed, NOT charge a dead battery.
A diesel with twin batteries is twice as bad as the above mentioned.
Let the vehicle charge on charger so as to start, then you won't be replacing the alt.

[A383Wing]

I do not see where that ebay charger will start a dead battery car...unless I missed something

and if you have a diesel with one dead battery, replace both

I have the one from HF...no issues with it, but I have nore tried to start a car with a total dead battery either

[Silver R/T]

I do not see where that ebay charger will start a dead battery car...unless I missed something

and if you have a diesel with one dead battery, replace both

I have the one from HF...no issues with it, but I have nore tried to start a car with a total dead battery either

The batteries are not totally dead. They are weak. I just don't drive truck very often and then it's cold and when it starts it cycles grid heater which takes a lot of amps. Batteries were replaced this past summer so they're good batteries and come with more CA's than factory ones did. Yes, truck still had factory mopar batteries on it when I bought it and they lasted till this summer.

[Silver R/T]

I do not see where that ebay charger will start a dead battery car...unless I missed something

and if you have a diesel with one dead battery, replace both

I have the one from HF...no issues with it, but I have nore tried to start a car with a total dead battery either

That's what I was wondering, even though ad description says "starter". I sent email to seller asking if it has starter feature, definitely great buy for under $50

[Cooter]

I'd get a battery buddy ( maintainer) yhat way you plug it up and forget it. Its just like driving the truck everyday.
I got mine at Northern Tool for like $25.00 and it'll maintain up to four batteries hooked up in series.
I got three in the trunk of the Dart right now hooked up.

[Silver R/T]

Truck would've started if not those damn grid heaters that suck juice before start.

[A383Wing]

I'd get a battery buddy ( maintainer) yhat way you plug it up and forget it. Its just like driving the truck everyday.
I got mine at Northern Tool for like $25.00 and it'll maintain up to four batteries hooked up in series.
I got three in the trunk of the Dart right now hooked up.

I got them on my cars in the garage...2 cars connected to one tender

[Silver R/T]

I do have trickle chargers that I hook up to my extra batteries for my other cars in the garage. Unfortunately truck sits outside. I think I'll buy this bolt on onboard battery maintainer.
http://www.harborfreight.com/15-amp-three-stage-onboard-battery-charger-maintainer-99857.html

[A383Wing]

that would be your best bet....all ya need is a long extension cord now....just don't ferget to unplug it when you want to leave

[Silver R/T]

Since my truck has 2 batteries and they're hooked up in series (one on each side of engine bay) do I just need one of these battery maintainers? It should be able to keep both of them charged?

[A383Wing]

both of your batteries are tied together..you just need one maintainer for both batteries..just connect leads up to one of your batteries, it will charge both

[johnnycharger]

I have a cheap booster pack from Walmart and it works great.  Jumps the charger and my jeep easily.

[Tilar]

I bought this one back in spring of 2010 and it works great. I have used it to start my dozer and tractors as long as they are not completely dead, and I have used it to start cars that do have dead batteries but you have to hook it up and let it sit for a couple minutes before you try it.  I think it was $80 if I remember right.

[Silver R/T]

both of your batteries are tied together..you just need one maintainer for both batteries..just connect leads up to one of your batteries, it will charge both

Got one of these and it bolted in perfectly right on the battery hold down bracket, hope I won't have anymore dead batteries. I did install a little disconnect on the trickle charger so that I can disconnect it when not plugged in (so it won't draw juice from the batteries)
http://www.harborfreight.com/15-amp-three-stage-onboard-battery-charger-maintainer-99857.html

[Silver R/T]

Speaking of batteries do AGM/gel cell batteries sulfate over time? I have older Exide spiral technology battery that shows voltage when charged but when I put load tester on it, it shows weak/red range. I was thinking about getting a newer battery charger that has "desulfating" feature.

[A383Wing]

if it shows a voltage but tests weak when a load on it..it's junk....time for a new one

[Silver R/T]

if it shows a voltage but tests weak when a load on it..it's junk....time for a new one

I've read its from sulfation, so if I buy a specialty battery charger that "desulfates" I;ll give it a try, would hate to throw away a $150 battery.

[A383Wing]

waste of money to buy a "desulfating" battery charger...if those really worked, we would never have to buy another battery again....at least I have never heard of one working to bring dead gel-cell battery back to the land of the living

[terrible one]

Honestly I have a battery tender/ charger from CTEK that I bought for just that but it is advertised as "desulfating." Come home to my mom's '06 Pacifica been sitting up about a year, OEM battery. It would not take a charge with the conventional charger. I hooked it up to the CTEK, you could watch it desulfate over a couple of days (interval between lights flashing getting longer and longer until it began charging). After that I put the battery back in the vehicle and drove it for about a year before it wouldn't start one morning, then finally replaced the battery. So that said there IS something to the whole desulfation thing.