The Best 12 Volt Battery Charger For Your Garage
If you’re looking for a reliable and efficient 12 volt battery charger for your garage, you’re in luck. With so many options available in the market, it can be overwhelming to choose the right one. In this article, we’ll explore three great choices, If you need a 12 volt battery charger this list has one that will work for you.
Every garage should have a quality 12 volt battery charger around. Whether you are a side hustle mechanic or just a handy dad, there will be a time when you need to charge a battery. Let’s take a look at some of the best battery chargers on the market today, each one of these options won’t break the bank and will be a great addition to your garage.
Before we dive in, let’s take a quick look at how a 12-Volt battery charger actually works so you can have a better understanding of the charging process.
How does a 12 Volt battery charger work?
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When a 12-volt battery charger is connected to a discharged battery, it reverses the chemical reaction that occurs as a battery is discharging. The reaction causes the battery to store energy in the form of chemical potential energy, which can later be converted back into electrical energy when the battery is used to power a device.
Most 12-volt battery chargers are designed to monitor the charging process and adjust the voltage and current output as needed to ensure that the battery is charged safely and efficiently. Many chargers also include safety features such as spark-proof technology and overcharge protection, which help to prevent accidents and prolong the life of the battery.
A quick note on 12 Volt battery charging safety.
As a 12 Volt (or any lead acid battery) charges it vents off hydrogen gas, hydrogen is VERY flammable, never work over a charging battery without safety glasses on.
The Best 12 Volt Battery Charger For Your Garage
Here are the 3 best 12 Volt battery charger picks for your garage, whether you need a heavy-duty charger or just a battery maintainer this list has you covered.
1. Schumacher SC1353 Battery Charger with Engine Starter, Boost, and Maintainer
This is my favorite on this list, made for more heavy-duty operations while still incorporating the battery maintaining feature makes this an awesome choice. This is the top reason why this is in Scoot’s Garage!
I use this all of the time, the boost feature is great for towed-in cars that have stone-dead batteries, at least I can get them into the garage. Plus the maintainer feature is great, I haven’t had any issues with mine at all. It just works. This charger is ready for lead acid and AGM (glass mat) batteries. I really like the powerful 200 AMP, yes 200 AMP engine start boost feature. The fast charge rate is 40 AMPS which is more than enough to quickly charge up a battery.
Another great feature is the built-in battery and alternator tester, this allows you to see the battery charge level and check the charging voltage from the alternator. Microprocessors built in can determine 6 or 12 Volt batteries automatically.
To make it even better this Schumacher is also a battery maintainer, you can find mine attached to my Duromax 12,000-watt generator right now to ensure it’s always ready to start up. This is a top-rated 12 volt battery charger on Amazon that is under $160.00 bucks!
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2. NOCO GENIUS10, 10A Smart Car Battery Charger, 6V and 12V
Looking for a simple battery charging solution? I totally get it, lots of people want a quick and easy 12 Volt battery charger to use once a year to get the lawn mower started. This is where the NOCO shines, simple and high quality, this top-rated charger is perfect for you if that’s your bag.
This isn’t just a simple 12 volt battery charger, the NOCO is packed with features. Such as precision charging for 6-volt and 12-volt sealed lead-acid automotive, marine, RV, powersport, and deep-cycle batteries, plus flooded, gel, AGM, SLA, VRLA and maintenance-free, and lithium-ion batteries.
All of this for just shy of $100 bucks… This isn’t a monster charger for a auto shop, however it’s perfect for the homeowner that wants an easy and effective battery charger.
NOCO has made quite a name for itself over the years, they make great chargers that are simple and safe. This unit has over 14 Thousand top-rated reviews on Amazon for good reason.
There are smaller models available (as far as charging amperage goes,) however I recommend the 10 AMP model here, when it comes to battery chargers more is a little better, especially if you can get it with the same small footprint.
Who should consider the NOCO GENIUS 10A Smart Car Battery Charger?
If you have light charging needs this is a great option, the real selling point on this however is the maitaner, if you have a classic vehicle or equipment that sits this 12 volt battery charger will keep your battery perfectly charged and always ready to go!
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3. Schumacher DSR121 DSR ProSeries Fully Automatic Professional Battery Charger
This is the best of the best on this list if you are looking for a serious battery charger for your home or a garage side hustle.
Plenty of power and jump-starting capacity make this a monster, although a little more expensive than the others here the money is well spent. Let’s take a look at some of the reasons why…
This DSR charges batteries with ease, plus boasts a huge crank assist power of 250 Amps to get everything from big trucks to the lawnmower started in a jam.
The Schumacher DSR121 charges multiple battery types as well, standard, deep cycle, AGM, and gel cell. The fully automatic microprocessor controls the amperage rate based on the battery condition and state of charge. This ensures the battery charges properly AND stays maintained while sitting.
Who should consider the Schumacher DSR121?
This is the beast of the list, if you have serious charging needs and you want a powerful battery booster this is your model. I like this one because it has a lot of power and can still maintain batteries safely.
The digital display and led indicators are a great touch that I really like along with the touchpad control. Another thing I REALLY LIKE is the 17 Foot reach! This is awesome, you don’t need to drag out the extension cord!
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Should you invest in a 12 Volt battery charger?
Owning a 12 volt car battery charger has several benefits…
- Convenience: With a 12 volt car battery charger, you don’t have to worry about your car battery dying when you need to use it. You can charge your battery at home, saving you time and hassle.
- Cost savings: A car battery charger can help extend the life of your car battery, which means you’ll save money in the long run by not having to replace it as often.
- Versatility: A 12 volt car battery charger can be used for other applications besides just charging your car battery. You can use it to charge other 12 volt batteries, such as those in boats, RVs, or motorcycles.
- Safety: Newer 12 volt battery chargers are designed to charge your battery safely, which means you don’t have to worry about overcharging or damaging your battery.
Overall, owning a 12 volt car battery charger is a smart investment for anyone who wants a well equipped garage or shed. It offers convenience, cost savings, emergency backup, versatility, and safety, making it an essential tool for any car owner, DIY mechanic, or side hustle mechanic.
