Harbor Freight tools thread.

I use the same one to make aux fuse mounting plates. I actually like using these clamps with it. They’re quick on and off and it helps to be able to space them out or add multiple clamps according to your workpeice. That’ll cure a lot of the flex you’re experiencing.

 

I actually use vicegrips to help. Using the bolts, the top bar stays in the same place for every bend and makes it easy for me to get the bend right where I want it.

But, I plan to make a triangular back brace welded on the ends with a tension bolt in the middle.

 

I’d like to see that when you do it.

 

Stay away from their compression tester! Needed a quick one for a non running bike but it seemed inaccurate. Tested it on a few dirt bikes (that run great) and it wouldn’t go over 60 psi. Borrowed a Snap On tester from a buddy and got 200psi from the same bike, which is right where it should be.

 

I bought the Cen-Tech automatic battery float charger a few years ago and it performed as expected. A few months ago the wire broke that connected at the transformer (I think wrapping the wire around the transformer many times over the years caused stress to the wire), so I bought a new one. I noticed the few times I used the new one the battery would boil, causing acid to overflow which never happened with the other FC. I measured the output voltage which should be 13.2 VDC maximum output but was 14.2V. I returned the new FC and the replacement measured 13.08 which is less than the 13.2V stated in the owners manual, but I would rather have a slower charge than one that boils the battery and decay electrodes. Someday I would like to buy a better FC from a company with better quality control, in the meantime, this one will do.

 

This is exactly the responses I read while researching it. Older ones are good but new ones are cooking batteries. I decided to skip on it and I’m going to pick up a NOCO. They have a .75a for $30 or 1.1a for $40.

 

yeah I'd get a better float charger considering the price of a battery today. I went with a few of these around the shop, they work really good and if you keep an eye out usually go on sale for around $30

https://www.northerntool.com/shop/tools/product_200589669_200589669

 

I think investing in a quality float charger would be worth it, especially considering the price of batteries and how much I use it. Thanks for the tip on which ones to buy.

 

I got a Noco G3500 for Christmas. I like the different modes it has, so it will do regular lead acid or AGMs at a slightly higher voltage. Plus a few other random types

 

Why not just get the $10 harborfreight. Been using them for years no issues.

 

Never any issues from my battery tender jr. Well I did run the first one i had over with the lawn mower....

 

Ha! I ran my regular BT (1.5a) and Schumacher 1.25a tenders over with the car. Just enough to bend / crack the covers. Still using them.

 

That is something I hadn't considered, paying a little extra would be worth it.

 

Cover was fine. But the wires were all wrapped around the blades/spindles. I have big commercial mowers so there was no chance for the charger.

 

I already had the battery tenders and battery minders for several years. Was just commenting on the above issue that people were having with HF ones to give better options as it seems the quality of the HF ones went down.

I've got about 8 batteries I keep on float at my garage. Not worth saving $30 to trash a few hundred worth of batteries to me.

 

Oh. That kind of 'run over.' Ouch!

 

Agreed, I also don't like the idea of any HF product being running whilst I'm asleep or out of the house.

 

Yeah makes sense. Few extra bucks is worth the piece of mind!

 

I added this to my quad since the battery terminals are difficult to get to. Only works with the Noco's but handy to just peek and see the "charge" of the battery.

NOCO GC015 X-Connect M10 Eyelet Battery Indicator Accessory Genius Smart Battery Chargers

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B009MI9JM...colid=L3O3AEPTGOL0&psc=0&ref_=lv_ov_lig_dp_it

 

Very nice. I think the Battery Tender spare leads are $5 or $7 depending on where you get them.

This Noco is tempting me, esp as I have enough rewards points saved at Amazon.