

Battery type(s) : Standard, AGM, SLA, VRLA, and lithium-ion.For those with a fleet of batteries to maintain, the Genius PRO50 is a good item to keep in your garage.

This charger is expensive and relatively heavy, so it’s not the best choice for those who only need a casual-use battery charger. In addition to offering many voltage and charging modes, this car battery charger features braided cable sleeves and the strongest alligator clamps of any battery charger that we’ve tested.Ĭompatible with both gas- and diesel-powered vehicles, the Genius PRO50 is suitable for just about any battery you’d need to charge, even lithium-ion batteries. The Genius PRO50 is NOCO’s most powerful and versatile battery charger. We recommend several NOCO battery chargers because all are built with reliable quality and backed by top-notch customer service. Perhaps our favorite feature is the LCD display, which can even provide an estimate of your vehicle’s battery charge. This voltage stayed consistent throughout. The voltage was tested at 13.0 amps while the battery charger was in use, which is in the ideal range for a 12.0-volt car battery. The device’s computer automatically detects the proper voltage, so all you need to do is attach the SC1280 and press the start button to enter charging mode. The power cord is also fairly long, making it easy to set up to SC1280. The alligator clamps are a good size with long cables and therefore easy to use.

The clamps are permanently attached to the device, which is designed such that the clamps are easily wrapped and stored. There’s nothing included with the Schumacher SC1280 other than an instruction manual. Battery type(s): Standard (wet cell), absorbed glass mat (AGM), and gel.However, several reports say this automatic charging feature can malfunction. It also has an automatic shutoff feature to help prevent overcharging. This charger includes a two-year warranty, trickle charging, and desulfation mode. While most cars use a 12.0-volt battery, 6.0-volt batteries are common in motorcycles. It can automatically detect the battery voltage and adjust between 6.0-volt and 12.0-volt modes. The SC1280 is lightweight, portable, and easy to set up and use. It can fully charge a 105.0-Ah battery in 16 hours (this is relatively fast). The Schumacher SC1280 is a quick battery charger putting out 13.0 volts at a 15.0 amp current. Ĭons Automatic shutoff feature can malfunction For more information on our testing methodology and how we evaluate every product, check out our methodology page here. We publish hundreds of product and service reviews to bring car enthusiasts detailed guides on automotive tools, detailing kits, car seats, pet products, and much more. Our team of product testers thoroughly researches top products, unboxes and puts our hands on each component, and tests the items on real vehicles before making recommendations to readers. Why You Can Trust UsĮach year, we test over 350 auto products on vehicles and in our testing lab. Our value score is based on the relationship between a battery’s rating in all other categories compared to the price. Battery chargers are also easy to use if they have long outlet cords and straightforward interfaces and instructions. Ease Of UseĪn easy-to-use automotive battery charger has long clamp cables and durable alligator clamps. Such features also contribute to a battery’s versatility rating. Chargers compatible with the most types of batteries scored best in this category.Īdditionally, some car battery chargers have features such as overcharge protection and trickle charging options. While most cars use a wet cell battery, some may use an AGM, gel, or lithium-ion battery. Not all car battery chargers will work with every type of battery. Maintaining a consistent voltage is also important for charging speed and battery protection. A few volts above a battery’s rating are acceptable and even desirable, but a car battery charger must produce at least 12.0 volts to charge a 12.0-volt battery. A higher voltage will charge a battery more quickly, but too many volts can damage your battery. Batteries that charge a car faster received a higher rating in this category.

Charging Speedīy considering a battery charger’s voltage and amp hours, you can determine the approximate charging speed. Evaluation across our review categories is based on our in-person experience and online customer reviews. We started the battery charger according to the instructions and measured the voltage using a multimeter.ĭuring testing, our review team recorded careful notes about each feature of every battery. To test each car battery, we unpackaged it and attached it to a 12.0-V wet cell battery.
