We have put together these comparison charts on
Battery Chargers that are designed to maintain and sometimes even improve the power of your RV, boat, car, truck or SUV battery.
We have included the top manufacturers of battery chargers which include
BatteryMinder (made by VDC Electronics), NOCO and Battery Tender (made by
Deltran). We have evaluated products from all 3 companies and found quality,
functionality & reliability to be excellent by all three manufacturers.
Products are grouped in small wall outlet units and the larger separate case and
plug chargers. These charts will give you a better understanding of the available functions each unit has relative to the price of the product.
See Below for a detailed description of what each specification in the
chart means.
Remember, these battery chargers are designed to maintain batteries,
they are not quick recover chargers you would need to get a completely dead
car battery charged in a hurry. Small charger/maintainers are used to keep batteries in good
shape when they are going to sit without use over time. Seasonal items
such as lawn tractors, boats, RV's and vehicles in storage will all benefit
from these battery chargers.
Please Note: specifications & prices are
subject to change without notice, please use these charts as a reference only.
All in One Wall Outlet
Car/ Truck / RV Battery Chargers
|
Manufacturer
|
BatteryMinder
|
BatteryMinder
|
BatteryMinder
|
BatteryMinder
|
NOCO
|
Battery Tender
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Model
|
12106
|
12106A8V
|
1500
|
1510
|
Genius G750
|
Junior 021-0123
|
Case Type
|
wall outlet plug-in
|
wall outlet plug-in
|
wall outlet plug-in
|
wall outlet plug-in
|
wall outlet plug-in
|
wall outlet plug-in
|
Output Volts (DC)
|
6v
|
8v
|
12v
|
12v
|
6v & 12v
|
12v
|
Output Current (Amps)
|
1
|
1.33
|
1.5
|
1.5
|
.75
|
.75
|
Input Voltage (AC)
|
105-130v
|
105-130v
|
100-240v
|
100-240v
|
85-130v
|
100-132v
|
Input Current (Amps)
|
.19
|
.19
|
.4
|
.4
|
.18
|
.36
|
Minimum Battery Voltage
|
5.5
|
7
|
3
|
3
|
2 (6v bat) & 7
(12v bat)
|
3
|
Display Information
|
2 LED
on/charging
battery condition
|
2 LED
on/charging
battery condition
|
3 LED
on/polarity
desulfating/low
battery
charging/maintaining
|
3 LED
on/polarity
desulfating/low
battery
charging/maintaining
|
5 LED
charge
error
6v mode
12v mode
standby
|
1 LED
on/charging
|
Diagnostic Mode
|
No
|
No
|
No
|
No
|
Yes
|
No
|
Soft Start Mode
|
No
|
No
|
Yes
|
Yes
|
Yes
|
No
|
Absorption Mode
|
No
|
No
|
Yes
|
Yes
|
Yes
|
Yes
|
Maintainer Mode
|
Yes
|
Yes
|
Yes
|
Yes
|
Yes
|
Yes
|
Desulfation Mode
|
Yes
|
Yes
|
Yes
|
Yes
|
No
|
No
|
Desulfation Type
|
high frequency pulse
|
high frequency pulse
|
high frequency pulse
|
high frequency pulse
|
No
|
No
|
Short Circuit Protection
|
Yes
|
Yes
|
Yes
|
Yes
|
Yes
|
Yes
|
Reverse Polarity Protection
|
Yes
|
Yes
|
Yes
|
Yes
|
Yes
|
Yes
|
Temperature Protection
|
Yes
|
Yes
|
Yes
|
Yes
|
No
|
No
|
Over Charge Protection
|
Yes
|
Yes
|
Yes
|
Yes
|
Yes
|
Yes
|
Flooded / Deep Cycle
|
Yes
|
Yes
|
Yes
|
Yes
|
Yes
|
Yes
|
Maintenance Free / Sealed
|
Yes
|
Yes
|
Yes
|
Yes
|
Yes
|
Yes
|
AGM / Gel
|
No
|
No
|
No
|
No
|
Yes
|
No
|
# of Batteries
|
up to 4 w/ optional access.
|
up to 4 w/ optional access.
|
up to 4 w/ optional access.
|
up to 4 w/ optional access.
|
not specified
|
not specified
|
Temperature Sensor
|
No
|
No
|
installed
on unit
|
installed
on unit
|
No
|
No
|
Cord Length
|
11' + 2' battery leads
|
11' + 2' battery leads
|
12' + 2' battery leads
|
12' + 2' battery leads
|
11' + 2' battery leads
|
10.5' + 2' battery leads
|
Battery Installation
|
clips &
terminals
|
clips &
terminals
|
clips
|
clips &
terminals
|
clips &
terminals
|
clips &
terminals
|
Weather Proof Case
|
No
|
No
|
No
|
No
|
No
|
No
|
Warranty
|
5 Year
|
5 Year
|
5 Year
|
10 Year
|
5 Year
|
5 Year
|
Size
|
3.75"
L
2.5"W
2.25" H
|
3.34"
L
2.5"W
2.25" H
|
3.34"
L
2.56"W
1.18" H
|
3.34"
L
2.56"W
1.18" H
|
4.5"
L
2.7"W
1.3" H
|
3.3"
L/span>
2.3"W
1.9" H
|
Weight (lbs)
|
2.3
|
2.3
|
.75
|
.75
|
.5
|
1.8
|
Operating Temperature
|
0°F - 125°F
|
0°F - 125°F
|
-4°F -
122°F
|
-4°F -
122°F
|
0°F - 125°F
|
-4°F -
122°F
|
Approx Price
|
$39.95
|
$39.95
|
$32.97
|
$59.99
|
$20.86
|
$31.02
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
12V Separate Plug & Case
Car/ Truck / RV Battery Chargers
|
Manufacturer
|
BatteryMinder
|
BatteryMinder
|
NOCO
|
NOCO
|
NOCO
|
Battery Tender
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Model
|
122248
|
2012
|
G1100
|
G3500
|
G7200
|
Plus 021-0128
|
Case Type
|
wall or
vehicle mountable
|
wall or
vehicle mountable
|
Table Top
|
Table Top
|
Table Top
|
Table Top
|
Output Volts (DC)
|
12v
|
12v
|
6v & 12v
|
6v & 12v
|
12v
& 24v
|
12v
|
Output Current (Amps)
|
Selectable
2/4/8
|
2
|
1.1
|
3.5
|
7.5
|
1.25
|
Working Input Voltage (AC)
|
90-140v
|
100-240v
|
85-130v
|
85-130v
|
85-130v
|
100-132v
|
Input Current (Amps)
|
2
|
.65
|
.6
|
1.2
|
2
|
.5
|
Minimum Battery Voltage
|
3
|
3
|
2 (6v bat) & 7
(12v bat)
|
2 (6v bat) & 7
(12v bat)
|
7 (12v bat) &
14
(24v bat)
|
3
|
Display Information
|
9 LED
charging/float
battery
condition
error
/fault
gel
flooded
agm
2A
4A
8A
|
8 LED
power
battery
connection
battery
weak
load
testing
desulfating
temp
compensation
|
10 LED
standby
charge level 25%
charge level 50%
charge level 75%
charge level 100%
error
6v norm
6v cold/AGM
12v norm
12v
cold/AGM
|
14 LED
standby
charge level 25%
charge level 50%
charge level 75%
charge level 100%
error
6v norm
6v cold/AGM
12v norm
12v
cold/AGM
6v small norm
6v small cold/AGM
12v small norm
12v
small cold/AGM
|
12 LED
standby
charge level 25%
charge level 50%
charge level 75%
charge level 100%
error
6v norm
6v cold/AGM
12v norm
12v
cold/AGM
13.6v
supply
16vboost
|
2 LED
charging
storage
|
Diagnostic Mode
|
Yes
|
Yes
|
Yes
|
Yes
|
Yes
|
No
|
Soft Start Mode
|
Yes
|
Yes
|
Yes
|
Yes
|
Yes
|
No
|
Absorption Mode
|
Yes
|
Yes
|
Yes
|
Yes
|
Yes
|
Yes
|
Maintainer Mode
|
Yes
|
Yes
|
Yes
|
Yes
|
Yes
|
Yes
|
Desulfation Mode
|
Yes
|
Yes
|
Yes
|
Yes
|
Yes
|
No
|
Desulfation Type
|
high frequency pulse
|
high frequency pulse
|
high frequency pulse
|
high frequency pulse
|
high frequency pulse
|
No
|
Short Circuit Protection
|
Yes
|
Yes
|
Yes
|
Yes
|
Yes
|
Yes
|
Reverse Polarity Protection
|
Yes
|
Yes
|
Yes
|
Yes
|
Yes
|
Yes
|
Temperature Protection
|
Yes
|
Yes
|
Yes
|
Yes
|
Yes
|
No
|
Over Charge Protection
|
Yes
|
Yes
|
Yes
|
Yes
|
Yes
|
Yes
|
Flooded / Deep Cycle
|
Yes
|
Yes
|
Yes
|
Yes
|
Yes
|
Yes
|
Maintenance Free / Sealed
|
Yes
|
Yes
|
Yes
|
Yes
|
Yes
|
Yes
|
AGM / Gel
|
Yes
|
No
|
Yes
|
Yes
|
Yes
|
Yes
|
# of Batteries
|
up to 6 w/ optional access.
|
up to 6 w/ optional access.
|
not specified
|
not specified
|
not specified
|
5 to 10 w/
users supplied cables
|
Temperature Sensor
|
Yes
|
No
|
installed
in unit
|
installed
in unit
|
installed
in unit
|
No
|
Cord Length
|
5.5'
Power + 5.5' DC + 2' battery leads
|
5.5'
Power + 5.5' DC + 2' battery leads
|
6'
Power + 5' DC + 2' battery leads
|
6'
Power + 5' DC + 2' battery leads
|
6'
Power + 5' DC + 2' battery leads
|
6'
Power + 6' DC + 2' battery leads
|
Battery Installation
|
clips &
terminals
|
clips &
terminals
|
clips &
terminals
|
clips &
terminals
|
clips &
terminals
|
clips &
terminals
|
Weather Proof Case
|
Yes
|
Yes
|
Yes
|
Yes
|
Yes
|
No
|
Warranty
|
5 Year
|
5 Year
|
5 Year
|
5 Year
|
5 Year
|
10 Year
|
Size
|
5.7"
L
5.5"W
2.86" H
|
5.69"
L
4.06"W
2.13" H
|
6.1"
L
2.5"W
1.6" H
|
7.7"
L
2.7"W
1.9" H
|
8.9"
L
3.8"W
2.4" H
|
4.875"
L
3.25"W
2.875" H
|
Weight (lbs))
|
2.2
|
1.56
|
.8
|
1.1
|
1.7
|
2.3
|
Operating Temperature
|
14°F - 104°F
|
14°F - 104°F
|
14°F - 104°F
|
14°F - 104°F
|
14°F - 104°F
|
-4°F -
122°F
|
Approx Price
|
$139.95
|
$79.95
|
$36.27
|
$41.28
|
$85.16
|
$66.04
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Coming Soon Specialty Chargers
|
Specification Definitions
Output Volts: The
voltage that the charger puts out, this will correlate with the voltage of your
battery. A question brought up often: Can a 12v charger be used with (2)
6v batteries and the answer is yes when those 6v batteries are wired in series.
Output Current:
This is the power that the charger puts out measured in Amps. The more output
current the faster a battery requiring charging will be back to full capacity.
Input Voltage:
The voltage required to power the battery charger
Input Current:
The power that the charger will use at maximum charging, measured in Amps.
Minimum Battery
Voltage
:
This is the lowest voltage a battery can have to be recharged by one of these
chargers
Display Information: Details provided by the charger to keep you informed
on the status of the battery or charger.
Diagnostic Mode:
The ability of a battery charger to test a battery to determine it's condition.
Absorption Mode:
A point in the charging process that takes a battery to full charge by way of a
slightly higher voltage but decreasing current so as to not overheat the
battery.
Maintainer Mode: A constant voltage (varies depending on the battery
type) is maintained with very little current (less than 1% of the batteries
capacity) for extended periods to keep a battery at full capacity.
Desulfation Mode:
The removal of sulfation that has accumulated on the lead plates that leads to
battery failure. Both Batteryminder and NOCO use high frequency electronic
pulses to remove this and ultimately extended battery life.
Desulfation Type:
The two best known ways of desulfation is high frequency electronic and high
voltage pulses. At present time it is believed that electronic pulses are a much
more efficient and thorough way of doing this
Short Circuit Protection:
This is also known as spark protection which does not allow the charger to begin
charging before the connections have been completely made.
Reverse Polarity Protection: If the charger senses that the leads have
been put on the wrong side of the battery it will not try to charge the battery.
Temperature Protection: When the ambient temperature of the air gets to
extreme levels (whether that is cold or hot) the charger goes into a mode to
lessen the chances for battery damage.
Over Charge Protection:
A feature that shuts off the charger if full charge is not achieved after a
specific period of time.
Flooded / Deep Cycle:
This is the most common battery type found in RV's (commonly called house
or coach batteries) and requires a user to monitor the water level replenishing
as needed.
Maintenance Free / Sealed:
This type of battery is common in vehicles as a starting battery and is sealed
so it does not require any maintenance.
AGM / Gel:
AGM stands for absorbent glass mat and are a very efficient deep cycle batteries
which are maintenance free. These react differently than lead-acid batteries and
require a different type of charging. Make sure to select a charger
designed to charge AGM batteries.
# of Batteries:
All chargers can charge multiple batteries, but you must ensure that they are
the same type and capacity when doing so. You also have to consider if
there will be any parasitic load on the batteries and if the charger you
selected can cover those power requirements. And last that they are
connected properly together to equal the chargers output voltage.
Temperature Sensor:
The ability to remotely monitor the batteries temperature ensuring that it is
never over or under charged or experiences overheating. This is best done
with a sensor placed on the battery versus in the unit itself.
Cord Length:
This will help in determining how close the battery needs to be to the power
source. All battery charger companies frown on using any type of extension
cord, so check with the manual on how to do this safely.
Battery Installation:
What type of method is provided to attach the charger to the battery. Grip
Clips are a fast way to attach to a battery but can work loose. Terminals
are attached to the battery post or battery terminal and provide a secure
installation that will not come disconnected.
Weather Proof Case:
Not everyone has a nice cozy garage to charge in and so you may want to look at
weather proof chargers for outdoor applications.
Operating Temperature: This is the manufacturers recommended operating
temperature for each type of charger.
Car/ Truck / RV Battery Charger Comparison