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MG MGB Technical - Harbor Freight Float Charger

Hi again,

A few years ago, in a moment of weakness (OK, actually cheapness), I bought a couple of Harbor Freight Battery Float Chargers, Model 42292, for the MGs. "Cheapness" because I didn't want to spend the considerably larger amount of money for Battery Tenders.

But, I never actually used them on my cars because I started having visions of incinerated vehicles/garage/house because of crappy electronics.

A few nights ago, I decided to hook one up to a battery that I use to test fuel pumps. No conflagrations yet, but the circuit box stays a little hot and the battery has stayed charged.

So, I'm thinking I'll use them on the TC and B this winter.

Am I crazy?

Cheers,
Greg
Greg Van Hook

Greg - I don't know anything about the HF float chargers, but I have used a battery tender (purchased from Eastwood) for a number of years for the TD battery and have found it to be great. (I will send you an e-mail about my using a battery and a charger for the test site for fuel pumps a number of years ago.) Cheers - Dave
David DuBois

Greg I also bought one of these chargers and have not have the nerve to use it yet. I think I will try it on one of my old batteries. Bill
Bill Mason

I bought one from HF and used it on my lawn mower. No problems.

I used a Battery Tender on my Z-car for the first time this past winter. No problems.
Rick Ingram

LOL! We're all leary of the HF chargers. I put one on a TR6 battery. It stayed on for months and when I checked it the battery was hot and so was the charger.

But the battery was toasted. Had to be replaced. I haven't used the HF chargers since. Although, to be fair, I can't say it wasn't the batteries fault, except it was fine when I put the charger on it.
JM Morris

Don't buy anything from HF that involves electricity or moving parts. :)

Tom
Tom Custer

This thread was discussed between 08/06/2010 and 19/06/2010

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