Are you stuck using a car battery to power your solar power system?
With the more technology we use, the more our power needs increase. Car batteries aren’t big enough to support a power hungry lifestyle!
Most people have a car battery to charge their batteries when the sun stops shining. And it’s a pain trying to charge a battery from a car battery.
But using a deep cycle battery charger is simple.
All you need to do is plug it into a wall socket or even a portable solar power system and you can charge batteries. Plus, a deep cycle battery charger won’t damage or potentially destroy batteries.
| Name | Category | Product |
|---|---|---|
| NOCO GENIUS10 | Best Overall |  |
| ADPOW 5A 12V Automatic Smart Battery Charger Automotive Maintainer 7-Stages Trickle Charger | Budget Pick |  |
| Schumacher SC1281 6/12V Fully Automatic Battery Charger and 30/100A Engine Starter | Upgrade Pick |  |
1. NOCO GENIUS10
Pros:
- Versatile charger
- Automatic technology adjusts to battery needs
- Great for batteries that slowly discharge when not in use
- LCD screen displays a variety of battery details
- Charges a variety of types of batteries including lead-acid, AGM, and Gel
- Provides details of battery types, charging status, and charging time
- Includes a yellow and black test lead that provides an indication of the battery’s state of charge
- Features reverse polarity and short circuit protection
- Other features include an air compressor, flash light, and air pressure gauge
Cons:
- Does not come with clamps for the terminals
- Takes 24 hours to charge
- Manual deluge doses for deep cycle batteries
Our favorite all-around smart battery charger is the NOCO GENIUS 10, 10-Amp fully-automatic smart charger, which has a multitude of features that make it a good choice for charging in most situations.
One of the main concerns for people who use deep cycle batteries is the impact of the cold on their batteries, particularly during the winter months. The NOCO GENIUS 10 offers an internal temperature sensor that automatically adjusts to maintain the proper charge current during cold seasons.
2. Battery Tender Plus Charger and Maintainer: 12V
You want to have a reliable Off-Grid battery system that can provide power for your house when the grid goes down, or even when you are living in a cabin or RV and you want to have power on hand to run your lights, TV, or coffee maker in the morning.
The last thing you want is to have a battery charger that does not work properly and burns through your batteries or makes the problem worse.
The Battery Tender Plus Charger and Maintainer is a smart charger with automatic 3 stage charging and automatic charging current adjustment to suit the needs of your battery.
3. Schumacher SC1281 6/12V Fully Automatic Battery Charger and 30/100A Engine Starter
Pros:
- Multiple charging options
- Has cables
- Reviewers love that it covers many different sizes of batteries
- Battery Analyzer Function
Cons:
- There have been some complaints about the battery power
- The charger is quite large
Everyone wants to get the best possible deal on a charger. However, there is an ever-growing list of chargers to choose from.
An interesting fact about this charger is that the manufacturer has created it to eliminate the need for multiple chargers. This has two sides to it as well for the buyer. It means that you only need to buy one charger instead of two at half the price, but it also means that you have to wait out your current charger to complete its cycle.
Even at its price however, many reviews are positive and pleased with the overall design of the charger. Some of the special functions include a one-click shut-off safety switch, the ability to sense and automatically shut off if the car is not there, and automatic termination.
4. NOCO Genius GEN1
For Cars, Trucks, SUV, SUVs, RVs, Boats, and Motorcycles.
The reason that this particular automatic battery charger is one my best picks is its smart charging features. It is a wet-cell and AGM smart battery charger and battery maintainer, which means it can be used full-time to ensure batteries stay charged and ready to go. It also has built-in diagnostics to identify issues.
What sets it apart from other automatic battery chargers is that this one features high-frequency smart technology, allowing it to charge faster and with the added option of being able to charge two batteries at the same time, which provides users with a handy backup plan in case the first battery fails while the second is charging. If you choose not to use the second bank, you can set the bank to maintenance mode and it will trickle-charge your marine battery. Unlike other automatic chargers, the NOCO features a patented 4-step charging algorithm.
5. BMK 12V 5A Smart Battery Charger Portable Battery Maintainer
Pros:
- An effective way to guarantee your batteries stay charged during the off-season
- Ideal for all sealed lead acid (SLA) batteries
- Widely used and reportedly trusted by truck drivers
- Some say it’s more effective than auto charging systems available on the market
- Widely available, some truck stops even keep them in stock
- Well made
- Relatively inexpensive considering the value it provides
If you don’t like the idea of leaving your RV batteries to die during the winter, this charger offers a viable alternative. A deep cycle battery charger is designed for charging deep-cycle lead acid batteries, which are required by many RVs and boats.
It’s a simple 12V DC trickle charger with enough amps to charge your batteries at a decent rate without damaging them. This charger is powered by a 110V wall socket and is rated for a maximum of 12 volts and 5 amps.
This trickle charger is widely used by truck drivers, and can be brought at most truck stops. Truck stops usually carry them for their own vehicles.
6. Intelligent Battery Charger/Maintainer
Pros:
- Advanced charging technology
- Intelligent pause charging mode
- Precision battery safeguards
This product is one of the several products of AutoMeter, which is a prominent manufacturer of auto accessories, tools, and apparels. This product can be more specifically used as a battery charger/maintainer or a trickle charger in reference to your vehicle.
This product has been rated as a number one because of its State of the Art technology that it uses. Firstly, it is safe to use as it has been tested and approved by the ASTM and UL. It also comes with an amazing filter that prevents corrosion in the connection, overheating, and short circuiting.
Secondly, it has been designed to be safe to use as well, and to maintain this property, it has an amazing onboard microprocessor that executes digitized overload and reverse polarity protection. The product also has a patented electronic relay that protects the battery from deep discharge.
7. Schumacher SP1296 6/12V Fully Automatic Battery Charger and 2A Maintainer
Pros:
- Fully automatic
- Automatically switches between charging and maintaining your battery depending on its condition
- Cuts off at 14.1V to protect your battery from overcharging and damage
Cons:
- Extremely prone to error lights due to faulty voltage sensors
- May require a warranty replacement upon arrival
As always, it is very important to buy high quality and long lasting chargers and maintainers. This Schumacher model is manufactured in the USA, so you know you will be getting an exceptional product. It is also very easy to use, and at the time of this review, it has the lowest average rating of all chargers that we reviewed.
Not only does it have a very high overall rating, it comes very close to the top rated Intellicharger ISL6617 in terms of customer satisfaction. Now, it is important to note that this model is also incredibly prone to error lights, and displaying multiple error lights at once. Generally, I would not choose a model that has this level of error prone issues since they will require replacement with a warranty far more often than most other models.
THAT SAID, It is always hard to find a model that has a low error rate AND a high level of customer satisfaction.
8. ADPOW 5A 12V Automatic Smart Battery Charger Automotive Maintainer 7-Stages Trickle Charger
Pros:
- Intelligent charging modes
- Fast charging rate: 5A charge 5 times faster than 1A charger
- Reasonable price
- Anti-reverse protection prevents reversed polarity and permanent battery damage
- Automatic charging cycles and timing make this charger independent of the battery type or chemistry
- Terminals are coated with Protec to keep them protected
Cons:
- Some people found it to be heavy
- Cannot be used for charging lithium and thermal battery
The best battery charger is one that is not too big, heavy and bulky if used when traveling. However, it still needs to be effective for charging the battery. Therefore, it’s important to invest in a charger that will be easy to carry and effective to use. The ADPOW 5A automatic charger for deep cycle battery is one such charger that will suit the needs of most people.
It has an automatic charging mode that can be used for charging and maintaining a wide range of 12V batteries, including AGM, Gel, Free Flooded, Sealed Lead Acid, SLA, VRLA and Deep Cycle Batteries.
In addition, it has a delayed startup mode that allows you to connect the charger 2-24 hours before use. This means that you should be able to charge the battery without worrying about overcharging it.
9. DieHard 71219 6/12V Shelf Smart Battery Charger and 2A Maintainer
Pros:
- Affordable
- Well Built
- Reliable
This smart battery charger and maintainer is best suited for 12V batteries from 2.2 to 12Ah. You can use it to charge anything from a car battery to a boat battery, a golf cart battery, a motorcycle battery to a lawnmower battery. It charges and maintains Flooded, sealed, or AGM batteries. It also comes with a 2 Amp output, so it can even charge the biggest deep cycle batteries.
The biggest technological advancement with this battery charger is the Bluetooth remote control. The Bluetooth does everything from remote control overcharging, manual control, status report, and groups connections. This Smart Charger is perfect for everyone and we highly recommend it.
The DieHard 71219 6/12V Shelf Smart Charger and Maintainer averages 3.8 out of 5 stars on Amazon with over 190 customers leaving reviews.
10. 2/10/25A 12V Smart Battery Charger/Maintainer Fully Automatic
Pros:
- Adjustable current
- Ability to be mounted in multiple positions
Cons:
- Not compatible with RVs
- Overcharges batteries
USB Port from Schumacher.
The Schumacher SE-02012 2/10/25A Battery Charger/Maintainer is an all around great charger that gets high marks from users for the way it handles the charge of many types of batteries with minimal issues.
This small charger is mounted in different ways, depending on what you need. The fast 2-amp engine start is great for getting small boats and RVs going and it has great safety features, including reverse hookup protection, spark-proof protection, short circuit protection, and over-current protection.
11. Ampeak 2/8/15A 12V Smart Battery Charger/Maintainer Automatic
Pros:
- User-friendliness
- Easy to use
- Battery maintenance mode
- Quality design
Cons:
- Indicator lights may be confusing for some
- A bit pricey
Battery Minder, Trickle Charge, Maintenance Mode for RV, Auto, Motorcycle, Marine.
This battery charger from Ampeak features a preset winter maintenance mode which helps reduce how often you have to charge your batteries. It features an “intelligent” charger which is attached to a car battery terminal. It can charge your battery fully, by reversing polarity to avoid overcharge, and restarts drained batteries as well.
You can also charge your smartphones and tablets using the external USB outlets. It is designed to bring the batteries back to life when they malfunction. It comes in handy when you use your car battery in an emergency.
12. NOCO Genius G3500 6V/12V 3.5 Amp Battery Charger and Maintainer
Pros:
- Simple yet sophisticated design
- Approved for use in RVs, marine, trucks, cars, SUVs, ATVs, boats, and more
- Charge speeds rival much more expensive models
If you love clean, sharp lines, the NOCO Genius G3500 might be the right charger for you. The G3500 is a six-and-a-half-inch square, with a glossy black top and white buttons. The glossy surface and sharp corners accent the overall feeling of quality that you get from this charger.
This charger is a very versatile model that is ideal for all lead-acid and lithium-ion batteries found in vehicles, trucks, cars, and motorcycles as well as ATVs, RVs, and boats. This model also includes a 12-volt DC power inverter, allowing you to charge many devices while driving.
One of the most convenient aspects of the NOCO G3500 is the visual indicator that allows you to check your battery life at a glance. The three-light system clearly indicates whether your battery is charged, charging, or needs to be replaced.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What is the best charger for a deep cycle battery?
Remember that a smart battery charger is utilized differently than a normal battery charger.
A deep cycle battery is a battery that is constantly being used and recharged, such as in a golf cart.
It doesn't typically offer as much jump starting power as a normal car battery.
The best will equalize the battery before charging, add more life, and help the battery to last longer.
They are usually made for use with golf carts, snow mobiles, ATVs, and other vehicles that don't usually start without some help. If you care about maintaining a long life for your golf cart, you'll want to look for one of the best deep cycle battery chargers.
Do I need a special charger for deep cycle battery?
Most of the deep cycle battery chargers are suitable for both, so you can use them for both conventional and deep cycle batteries. The exception is Gel batteries. If you have a gel battery, then you will need a specific gel charger.
The three types of chargers (four if you consider gel) are all maintenance free, and should be ideal for most people. They are all capable of charging a battery back up to 100% again.
We recommend buying a smart charger. Smart chargers automatically adjust to the batteries needs and stop charging at the optimum point. They are usually the most expensive option, but they are certainly the best value for money.
What is the best 24 volt battery charger?
First of all, 24 volt is not a battery, it is an electricity supply that is controlled by a battery charger for a 24 volt battery.
24 volt battery chargers have advantages over 12 volt battery chargers:
24 volt chargers will charge a 9 cell battery twice as fast as a 12 volt charger.
If you have two 60ah batteries in series, the 24 volt charger will charge both batteries in less than 1 hour. If the batteries are 6 volt, it will take 2 hours.
There are several factors to consider when picking a 24 volt charger.
The power rating of the charger is one factor, because if the power rating of your 24 volt charger is less than the amp hour rating of your battery, the charge time will be longer (because the charger will have to energize the battery in smaller amounts.)
What is the best marine battery charger?
The best marine battery charger is the all-purpose Schumacher SE-4022 because it is very easy to use and it has a great price tag for someone who is looking to save a few bucks on the purchase.
If you're looking to save some extra money and don't mind having to use a bit more time to get the job done, then we'd suggest the Schumacher XCL5.
If you're looking for an advanced charger that is likely to save you money in the long run and doesn't cause any troubles, then skip nothing! The Schumacher XP-40 will do the trick and it leaves your batteries fully charged and revved up for a fun day on the water.
Conclusion
There are many types of deep cycle battery chargers in the market and finding the right ones for your deep cycle batteries can be tricky given that there are so many options from different brands. That’s why we’ve complied a list of what we think are the best deep cycle battery chargers for 2022. Check them out and see if any of these suits your needs.
Our Recommendation
| Name | Category | Product |
|---|---|---|
| NOCO GENIUS10 | Best Overall | |
| ADPOW 5A 12V Automatic Smart Battery Charger Automotive Maintainer 7-Stages Trickle Charger | Budget Pick | |
| Schumacher SC1281 6/12V Fully Automatic Battery Charger and 30/100A Engine Starter | Upgrade Pick | |