Harbor Freight CenTech 10/2/50 Charger 60581 60653 vs Schumacher 12/2/75

[@ProTechEpoxyFloors]

My understanding is the centech doesn’t put out a charge until the starter motor is engaged in the engine start mode.

[@94sn95gt]

It does that at 50 amps because its not meant to charge. Mine does it too, but if you use it to boost the starter as soon as you hit the key it gives full boost.

[@ZUria6]

Thank u for your video. Ive been in a bind for hours looking on how to charge my battery. Thanks again!

[@JeromeBeeFarm]

Glad it helped.

[@mightyspuds]

When you hit the starter it will go to the 50 amp setting and hold while you start it,at least it did in another video I saw.

[@JeromeBeeFarm]

Someone else mentioned that. The reason it's cycling is based on the voltage of the battery is coming up to full charged level, where I thought it was cutting out from thermal or overcurrent protection. My old Schumacher 50A start version would hold the 50A on continuously and not cut out. I guess it operates different. Thanks for the comment.

[@OkieRob]

Thanks for a current and electrifying review.

[@JeromeBeeFarm]

LOL. You're welcome OkieRob. You probably could use a couple of them with all the tractor batteries you need tending to. Take care and stay warm.

[@fyt00000]

So the scale that shows how much power - is that showing how much charge is in the battery or just how much power is coming out of the charger?

[@JeromeBeeFarm]

The scale shows the amount of current going into the battery. When the current almost stops, the battery is charged (that's where it shows green or says charged)

[@fyt00000]

@@JeromeBeeFarm Thanks so much!!!

[@Floridays48]

where doe the term crow bar out come from? I know what's going to happen, I just don't get the terminology.........

[@JeromeBeeFarm]

A crowbar circuit is lingo for an overcurrent protection circuit. It's usually a shunt resistor with a parallel higher ohm resistor and the circuit measures the voltage over that resistor that is representative of the current. So when it hits a certain voltage, it 'crowbars'. That's the way I understand it anyway. Thanks for taking the time to watch and comment.

[@reddmann2216]

I was taught positive on negative off when hooking up and disconnecting battery's to car or chargers... referring to cables to post connections...to prevent sparking hazardous..and I still won't set battery on concrete even though I know technology has improved enough not to matter..old dog I am...

[@rpfl5586]

Me to lol

[@Powerpickle68]

Something important that you are missing. Both chargers have an "emergency" start function for when the battery is near depleted. Those are not charge modes on either charger, it is only for starting the engine. The Cen-tech will not "charge" at 50 amps and the Schumacher will not charge at 75 amps. The clicking (crowbar) as you call it is happening so the lead acid battery doesn't get charged at too fast of a rate. Lead acid batteries can't handle high current charging for extended periods.

[@JeromeBeeFarm]

It won’t emergency start if it won’t stay on even briefly. The Schumacher kicks off immediately. I had a 50A Schumacher before I got the 75A and it would stay on 2-3 minutes before the thermal protect kicked in. I think it’s defective, or possibly because I had a 50’ extension cord on it. I didn’t try it plugged in direct to an outlet. If I recall the centech held 50A briefly, but still not what I’d consider emergency start worthy. Thanks for watching and commenting.

[@ramlinman2004]

50 amp kicks in when the starter engages

[@thelittleredbarn174]

My centech will only stay on for a few minutes on 2 amps and won't restart until I disconnect the positive lead and reconnect it before it stops again after a few minutes I'd love to figure out why?

[@JeromeBeeFarm]

Is the battery fully charged when it shuts off?

[@Boothman0686]

Page 10 of the manual talks about how to use the 50 amp start option: manuals.harborfreight.com/manuals/60000-60999/60653.pdf

[@JeromeBeeFarm]

Yes, but it shouldn't cycle on and off when you put it on 50A. If you follow the directions you posted, it should hold 50 Amps for 5 seconds while you try to start it. I'd say this charger was defective for that function. It's protection circuitry is too sensitive. It works pretty good at 10 and 2A though, so I'm ok with the way it performs. I used to have a 50A Schumaker and it would hold the 50A long enough to jump start a car. The 75A in this video won't even provide an output at 75A. I give the centech a B- on performance to cost and the Schumaker a C- on performance to cost.

[@fyt00000]

@@JeromeBeeFarm 5 seconds isn't even long enough to turn it on and jump in your car or grab the key to try to start it, in my opinion.

[@fyt00000]

Please forgive me - one more question - i have a 96 chevy 1500 van and a 92 ford pickup ranger, what is the best Shumacher charger/maintainer or charger ? Thanks!

[@JeromeBeeFarm]

All you need is something simple. Look for one that has at least 10 amps. Probably find one that’s 10 and 2 amps. (10/2).

[@fyt00000]

@@JeromeBeeFarm Thank you!

[@Poordirtfarmer]

hb mine never worked from day one

[@tahquameken]

My Harbor Freight charger stops a 13.17 volts when charging at 2 amps.

[@fyt00000]

Since the Schumacher is not doing the quick start 75 amps, should we get a different charger? What can we do? If the scale shows different charges at different amps, how do we know which is right? (questions from a girl}

[@JeromeBeeFarm]

The scale measures the same no matter what setting you have it on. I don't think you can hardly find a charger with a scale on it any more. Schumachers are usually a good brand.

[@fyt00000]

@@JeromeBeeFarm Great! Thanks-you have helped me a lot!

[@fyt00000]

@@JeromeBeeFarm My daddy died recently and he did all this. Now i have to.

[@JeromeBeeFarm]

@@fyt00000 I'm so sorry to hear that. Here's a link to a good Shumacher with 8 and 2 amp settings. It's simple green light/red light for a good price $50. There's a 6/2 option that's a little less and that would probably be fine as well. Either one will charge a car battery in a few hours. amzn.to/45LBcRD

[@jaleeckflathead9640]

Mines tripping back and forth real fast. Does that mean my battery is at full charge?

[@JeromeBeeFarm]

I don’t think so. I think there’s a green light on the front that will light when it’s charged. I think what you are seeing is over current protection. You didn’t mention what amps you had it set at. I would leave it on 2 or 10. If it’s tripping out on ten, move it to two for a few hours to see if it will level out.

[@jaleeckflathead9640]

@@JeromeBeeFarm okay first it was tripping at 10 amp so I turn it down to 2 amp for 20 minutes. Then, I switched back to 10 amp and now it's steady RED light. Gauges show 25% area.

[@JeromeBeeFarm]

Your battery is taking a lot of current. It may be bad. Leave it on 2A for a couple days and check it again. If you get same results, it’s probably bad. You can take it to an auto part store and they will test it for you.

[@jsimm4587]

You also need to switch the battery type . Deep cycle to the right on the switch

[@noemiseptier6752]

Thanks

[@ogmandin0544]

Noticed your Schumacher has a *deep cycle* switch you did not toggle. =Why? I do not have a lot of machinery to keep up so I use the little $45 Schumacher 15 amp charger. Keep it in my motor home to trickle charge the deep cycle cabin batteries. On the road, I run the fridge off them and recharge at campgrounds (so I don't have to run the Onan generator.) Slow. Does "pulse charge" which is supposed to be better for batteries and faster than non-pulsed. It works...

[@JeromeBeeFarm]

You know, that’s a really good point that I overlooked. I should have checked that setting because it can affect the current cutoff levels. I think it will allow a higher current for a deep cycle. I have a couple ten amps that I keep in my trailer for the same reasons you do. 👍👍

[@letsdance9022]

Do we need to plug this to charge a dead battery? Sometimes my car won't start since I am not using that much.

[@JeromeBeeFarm]

You can put it on the two amp setting and it will shut off when it’s charged and keep it there. Unless your battery is getting weak, it may need replaced. You can also get a battery maintainer that keeps it charged.

[@adanibarra3298]

Gracias por compartir

[@JeromeBeeFarm]

Thanks for watching Adani.

[@Thanny2000]

So can I use these chargers to maintain my battery all winter at 2 amps?

[@JeromeBeeFarm]

You would be better off with a battery maintainer for that purpose. They reduce the voltage some so it doesn’t overcharge. HF Viking chargers have a maintain setting for 6 and 12v batteries.

[@Thanny2000]

@@JeromeBeeFarm I already have a charger so I was hoping not to purchase another device. Would it still be okay? Or should I really be using w maintainer

[@JeromeBeeFarm]

I wouldn’t. It doesn’t operate like a maintainer.

[@ourselfreliantlife]

Thanks for the review. We don't have a charger, but I think it would be a great idea to get one.

[@JeromeBeeFarm]

Always good to have a good charger and a couple of backups, especially in the cold months. Thanks for watching and commenting. Have a great day.

[@rvdboston9568]

That short 50A pulse is not "50% duty cycle". I would be be surprised if it is 20%. The little transformer inside CenTech is NOT capable to give 50A x 12V = 600W continuous.

[@50shadesofgreen]

Another great review Darren !!

[@JeromeBeeFarm]

Thanks Simon and Adam! Springs around the corner!

[@HLRJaysteeMoore416]

Happy Monday

[@mikele3253]

What causes it to crowbar out/tripout like it does??

[@JeromeBeeFarm]

Over current protection. Some folks say it cuts off when voltage comes up. I need to put a meter on it to see exactly. Either way, it’s a good value and I like it.

[@jamesfadden7420]

Great video, I’m taking a 1,000+ mile road trip and I think I might need to get a car battery charger.

[@JeromeBeeFarm]

Thanks James.

[@Floridays48]

I'm thinking that won't happen if your jumping a car or truck battery, that mode is not meant to be used on a stand alone battery.......

[@JeromeBeeFarm]

Hmm, I'm not sure what you are referring to here. The 75A mode on the Schumacher is defective. It won't work on anything. I had one with a 50A and it worked fine.

[@fyt00000]

@@JeromeBeeFarm A newer model?

[@samlogosz8422]

My cen truck dose the same as yours. It's confusing. 😀

[@426superbee4]

i did get the HF battery TESTER on sale for 2 dollars, that give a meter and light mode on the battery. That WORKS VERY GOOD the control got 2 long wires with a alligator clips on it i think there 14 or 7 dollars now

[@JeromeBeeFarm]

That cheap meter has terrible leads that will break and crack and shock the crap out of you. Throw it in the trash and get a Fluke.

[@426superbee4]

@@JeromeBeeFarm he hee really> its been working excellent ok 1st time i get shocked i will drop kick it

[@fyt00000]

Thanks!I need to get one.

[@fyt00000]

@@JeromeBeeFarm thanks for saying that! what is a good one?

[@426superbee4]

@@fyt00000 WC

[@happyhomelesshomesteaders158]

Thanks J 👍 🌹

[@JeromeBeeFarm]

You're Welcome Merry Christmas.

[@eagleviewhd]

In 50 amp mode, one has to be actually cranking the motor to start for it to put out 50 amps! It is made that way.

[@628DirtRooster]

What did you "charge" for this video. wink wink

[@JeromeBeeFarm]

It was a shocking experience. Harr Harr

[@CBsGreenhouseandGarden]

Great review. I have a couple of those harbor fright chargers but they are older models. Never had a problem with either one of them on 10 amp. Only thing I did not like they were not automatic means I have to keep my eye on it. Maybe you got a bad one? They will take it back with no questions asked.

[@JeromeBeeFarm]

It's funny, it says it's a manual charger, but it's an automatic one. lol I like the old chargers that would put out 12V without connecting to a battery. Don't care for that safety feature. I had an old Schumacher 10/2 I bought in 1987 that I had forever and replaced it with the 50/10/2 that my neighbor needed more than me. Take care Mr. CB.

[@fyt00000]

For what do you have to keep an eye on it - what will happen?

[@fatdriver1968]

Only up to 90 days I tried

[@rickyreline]

I bought the centech....used it 3 times and doesnt work...Harbor Frieght said to bad. its my second one that doesnt work...

[@JeromeBeeFarm]

I've heard of failures on the CenTech. I've had good luck with mine.

[@jimmills1862]

I have took 2 back got another one going to change the battery in my boat an it didn't work

[@JeromeBeeFarm]

I've seen a lot of complaints about them, but mine has been working ok for a few years now.

[@901ronnie]

Scunacher has a deep cycle verses lead acid. You left it on lead acid. Centech had Agm and or lead acid.

[@JeromeBeeFarm]

Deep Cycle and AGM settings charge the battery longer before the automatic mode kicks it off as fully charged. Deep cycle and AGM are a type of lead acid batteries.

[@waynebooker498]

Anything from Harbor Fright that has an electric wire anywhere on it should come with its own death certificate for the owner.

[@harryglotz3528]

mine only reickle charges since almost new

[@UrbanFisherman]

Nice

[@JeromeBeeFarm]

Thanks Urban Fisherman. Have a great day!

[@workingcountry1776]

2 amps is a cell phone charger.... just think about that..... guess i'll keep the old USA no name I have. It will charge at whatever amps for whatever amount of time. I've used it doing diag on vehicles/equipment and 50amp force fed a number of mower batteries on equipment ive owned or worked on.

[@JeromeBeeFarm]

I like the older ones too that will put out voltage connected or not. You can use them for a 12V Power supply. Thanks for watching and commenting.

[@workingcountry1776]

@@JeromeBeeFarm exactly. My dad used one to run the "garage radio" which was a car radio with car speakers. Wow, I haven't thought about that in years. I don't think there was a battery in the loop either

[@JeromeBeeFarm]

That's hilarious. I did the exact same thing many years ago. I think back then I had a 10/2 Shumacher and a Pioneer car stereo and some kicker speakers. I gave the kickers and a Denon amp to my grandson last year and he's running them in his little pickup. lol.

[@ClayBlasdel44]

I've never heard the term "crow-barring". I couldn't find any definition of it. I dont know what you're talking about.

[@JeromeBeeFarm]

A crowbar circuit is an over current protection circuit. It 'crowbars' and opens the circuit shutting it down completely. They monitor the current by measuring the in line voltage over a shunt resistor.

[@ClayBlasdel44]

@@JeromeBeeFarm That sounds like a circuit breaker.

[@JeromeBeeFarm]

Clay Blasdel same concept except a circuit breaker works off heat. I don’t know what’s inside the chargers, I just use the term crow barring because it shuts down the output I assume for over current protection of the transformer.

[@426superbee4]

i was going to get 2 of them> but went up on price 35 dollars each: ( he hee the 50 amp only way to charge up a dead battery, for 30 min then switch to 10 amp lmao the 2 amp Triple charger want do it, nor the 10 amp> THERE ALL FUNKY ANY MORE> OMG MINE DON'T DO THAT that crazy TAKE EM BACK defective They shouldn't do that > Unless it throw out more AMPS than what the battery can take

[@JeromeBeeFarm]

It's a good backup in case you need to run two at the same time. Thanks for watching and commenting SuperBee.

[@noemiseptier6752]

👍

[@pl747]

Nobody makes a "good" charger anymore.

[@JeromeBeeFarm]

I think you are right. Too many safety controls. Kinda like gas cans. lol. Thanks for watching and commenting.

[@gamingandvloging1117]

True!!!!!

[@Poordirtfarmer]

75 ft lol

[@samsen3965]

Wow...HF charger was $26 some 4 years back... and WTH did this corona to us that made all the rich guys go super-rich, Trump rich, and make us pay $65 currently for the same junk Chayniz (non-virus) charger that will burn out the day warranty is over!

[@JeromeBeeFarm]

I think this one was $59 when I got it. It's still working just fine. It's 4 years old I think.

[@samsen3965]

@@JeromeBeeFarm You ought to be lucky. But I've gone through 3 of these and don't think I'll get another one. Maybe I used them frequently and connected for too long but somehow this brand isn't for me.

[@JeromeBeeFarm]

I used to be a big HF fan, but not so much lately. I have three of the smaller viking micro controller chargers. I think they are 8 amp. I put one on my 7.3 diesel (2 batteries), on maintain mode for winter. I mostly use those now and don't have a need for these others. Maybe that's why my CenTech has lasted so long. lol I also keep one on my HF Generator battery that's my house power backup. I have the biggest gas generator they make (predator), with the electric start.