Newb with float charger question

[Stubbyie]

Stay with known quality brands that will stand behind their product.

I use Schumacher exclusively for years with excellent results. One failure of a float-type that never lit up when first plugged in. Called 'em up and they popped out a new one right away.

There are probably a dozen on the place---everything that has a battery has one mounted or rigged to move one device to another.

Tried a Harbor Freight and it started boiling the battery within the hour. I was watching closely because it was a new thingy and I was experimenting.

Some wheel chargers (200-amp 'start' type) have a float setting. I'd be real leery about using them, especially if a timer is involved.

Had a timer fail once in service. Schumacher replaced it no questions asked. Note these two warranty instances were the ONLY two involving that brand and were twenty years apart. The replacement timer still works.

 

[jgdusc]

I think I was in a bad mood and shouldn't have made the comment. I thought it was pompous to say you didn't know if you needed it but wanted it. I worked a long, long time to be able purchase my BX25. These little tractors are built to be run. Inactivity will cause more deterioration than regular, maintained usage. Sorry if I offended you... it's not my place to judge.

Didn't mean to come off pompus by any means. Guess thats the written word vs the spoken. I have for a long time wanted a tractor. Couldn't justify the expense. I drive a 16 year old truck while my wife has had 5 during that period. She gets what she wants. I deprive myself and put money into the house and other things, but when she got the pool she wanted and there was plenty of backfilling to be done I jumped a the chance to get my new toy. I have used it to remove trees solving the septic problem and several other justifiable uses but if I was honest with myself a want vs need argument could have been made. We still have several projects to do and I feel it will help tremendously in the process. I desperatley want to take care of it so that it retains it value as they appear to do so.

Thats my hope is to use it for my projects, and when done sell it for at least less than what I would have spent at the rental yard. But hopefully more. Its garage kept and I am trying to maintain the best I know how. Would love any help this forum could provide in that department.

For zero % interest over the life of the loan made sense to me to have have it when I needed it. Maybe even make a few bucks along the way helping out friends.

 

[SteveF]

Didn't mean to come off pompus by any means. Guess thats the written word vs the spoken. I have for a long time wanted a tractor. Couldn't justify the expense. I drive a 16 year old truck while my wife has had 5 during that period. She gets what she wants. I deprive myself and put money into the house and other things, but when she got the pool she wanted and there was plenty of backfilling to be done I jumped a the chance to get my new toy. I have used it to remove trees solving the septic problem and several other justifiable uses but if I was honest with myself a want vs need argument could have been made. We still have several projects to do and I feel it will help tremendously in the process. I desperatley want to take care of it so that it retains it value as they appear to do so.

Thats my hope is to use it for my projects, and when done sell it for at least less than what I would have spent at the rental yard. But hopefully more. Its garage kept and I am trying to maintain the best I know how. Would love any help this forum could provide in that department.

For zero % interest over the life of the loan made sense to me to have have it when I needed it. Maybe even make a few bucks along the way helping out friends.

jgd, well your story sounds a lot like mine. I am truly sorry for over-reacting... as you say "the written word" is sometimes a problem especially when you don't know someone. You sound like a guy that would be a good friend!

On the maintainer, I agree with Stubbyie on the brand, I have 4 Schumacher units and all have performed well over time.

 

[jgdusc]

jgd, well your story sounds a lot like mine. I am truly sorry for over-reacting... as you say "the written word" is sometimes a problem especially when you don't know someone. You sound like a guy that would be a good friend!

On the maintainer, I agree with Stubbyie on the brand, I have 4 Schumacher units and all have performed well over time.

Well then friends it is! Freezing nastiness here this am. None of the fun white stuff just ice. Hoping the power stays on since power company just finished Edward scissor handsing the whole town. Looks like heck but on days like today makes a lot of sense.

I am pleased with the brand I bought. Have had one on my other truck for several years. Although I may get a new one for my accessory battery on the golf cart. The HF one is okay but what I read here may not be for long.

Maybe since I don't have to work I will go out and see if I can find a route for the cables coming off the battery. Plus that's where the special adult beverage fridge is.

 

[85Hokie]

Didn't mean to come off pompus by any means. Guess thats the written word vs the spoken. I have for a long time wanted a tractor. Couldn't justify the expense. I drive a 16 year old truck while my wife has had 5 during that period. She gets what she wants. I deprive myself and put money into the house and other things, but when she got the pool she wanted and there was plenty of backfilling to be done I jumped a the chance to get my new toy. I have used it to remove trees solving the septic problem and several other justifiable uses but if I was honest with myself a want vs need argument could have been made. We still have several projects to do and I feel it will help tremendously in the process. I desperatley want to take care of it so that it retains it value as they appear to do so.

Thats my hope is to use it for my projects, and when done sell it for at least less than what I would have spent at the rental yard. But hopefully more. Its garage kept and I am trying to maintain the best I know how. Would love any help this forum could provide in that department.

For zero % interest over the life of the loan made sense to me to have have it when I needed it. Maybe even make a few bucks along the way helping out friends.

Jd,

you took the words right out of my mouth! I will use mine A LOT more in the summer than winter....but having said that, we are about to get some of that thar white stuff that falls from the sky like our northern friends get a lot of!!! Might even get a FOOT of that stuff! The BX will be outside making into small piles later today and tomorrow! I hope........

I think you will find more uses for you machine than you thought of originally, and like you said, helping friends, making a little $ here and there is fun too. AT 0% - hard to pass up too, have fun and tell everyone what you do with yours!

 

[SteveF]

Well then friends it is! Freezing nastiness here this am. None of the fun white stuff just ice. Hoping the power stays on since power company just finished Edward scissor handsing the whole town. Looks like heck but on days like today makes a lot of sense.

I am pleased with the brand I bought. Have had one on my other truck for several years. Although I may get a new one for my accessory battery on the golf cart. The HF one is okay but what I read here may not be for long.

Maybe since I don't have to work I will go out and see if I can find a route for the cables coming off the battery. Plus that's where the special adult beverage fridge is.

Whew, thanks... friends it is! National news is reporting extreme ice and power outages in your area. Hope you get thru this barrage of cold and ice okay.

Here in central PA they are calling for 6" to 8" of snow, the amount was just upped saying the storm is starting to track more westward from the coast - hope not.

I just came in from outside gasing up the yellow plow machine and mixing some Power Source in with the orange unit diesel. My adult beverage refrig is there in the garage too but there are a bunch of "slushies" in it. Was 10 below last night and 18 degrees now.

Keep safe!