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I really wanted to like this charger: Schumacher XC103 SpeedCharge Battery Charger with Engine Start. On paper it seems to do everything I need. The big problem is that it keeps generating an F06 error code when charging on the Fast Charge Rate setting. The manual says this means "The charger detected that the battery may be getting too hot (thermal runaway)." and that "The charger automatically shuts the current off if it detects the battery may be getting too hot or the battery may have a shorted cell. Have the battery checked or replaced." This means the charging is stopped before the battery is fully charged.
The charger generates the F06 code on two different brand new batteries. Also, if I use the Slow Charge Rate setting the same batteries charge just fine so I do not believe that the batteries are defective. There must be something wrong in the charging logic for the Fast Charge Rate setting.
I tried several times to get Schumacher customer support to help me resolve the problem. The Schumacher support staff is useless. They kept sending me the section from the manual that describes the F06 error code. I already knew this information; which I carefully explained on my initial e-mail to Schumacher and on all subsequent e-mails to Schumacher. They persisted in not answering any of my questions, but just resent the F06 error code section from the manual. When I finally insisted that the charger must be defective Schumacher finally agreed to replace the charger with a new or refurbished charger. Since I just bought the charger a refurbished charger was not an option in my opinion.
Another annoyance is the poorly designed cord storage system. Both the AC and the charging cables are very stiff making them difficult to coil. I'm not sure why the cables need to be this stiff. My old charger had cables that were much easier to coil and stow. In addition the two posts provided for cable storage on the back of the unit are totally inadequate for the task; they simply cannot hold both sets of cables (they barely hold just the AC cable) and it's way too much trouble to try and coil the wires around these posts. The only solution I found was to not use the cable storage posts at all and simply coil the wires. I then used a piece of twine or a velcro strap to keep them coiled (all in all this is a nuisance).
Based on thes problems and the extremely poor customer service, I regretfully decided to return the charger to amazon.com for a full refund.
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The charger works great at charging up my auto car batteries. For a nearly dead battery (0.9 volts), it did not seem to charge as it should for the initial charge (shut down after a while and said it was at 80% charge). I then charged a 2nd time (actual charge at startup was then 40 %), and it charged it correctly. Most batteries charge within 1.5 hours time for autos. The LED yellow lights are very hard to see in the sunlight (they should change the color of these). My only complaint is that the clamps are low quality (cheap) and they should charge a few more dollars and install heavy duty (stronger) clamps.Best Deals for Schumacher XC103 SpeedCharge 100 Amp Battery Charger with Engine
I very much wanted to like this charger. After reading the reviews it was clear that trying it was a risk. It was one of the few that looked like it would charge an Optima Red Top 6V AGM battery.Today I took my brand new (as in FedEx is still on the street) charger and hooked it to my equally new battery. Set it to "AGM" since that's what I have. Hooked up the clamps and it recognized the battery as 6 volts. Set it to "turtle mode" (low rate charge) to see what it would do. After about 4 minutes at 6V rather than deciding the battery was charged, it decided I have a 12V battery. Charge percentage went to zero and it showed 12V not 6V. I quickly pulled off the cables (they were warm).
Next I grabbed the Fluke 89 IV to see what's going on. Battery voltage with no charger was 6.426 volts. Set the charger to "snow flake" (trickle). Battery was recognized as 6V. It started doing something. After about 20 seconds the battery terminals were up to 9 volts. ThIe clamps read the same 9V. The internal voltmeter in the charger shows 6 volts. This is not a good thing. Optima (and most outfits) do not like you putting 9 volts on a 6 volt battery. Big spark when I pulled the clamp, so it's running a bit more than low current.
So what's going on? It's doing a high voltage cell equalization charge on an AGM. In the process of that it's getting confused about weather it's got a 12V or a 6V battery. You can do your own research about equalization on AGM's. Mine says it's not a good idea.
I put a (also brand new) Exide Road Force 12V AGM on to check this out. Set it to trickle and AGM. It recognized the 12V battery and took it up to 17.3V. I left it on and it droped back to 15.5V until full charge. It then went down to around 13.5V.
This thing *likes* to equalize AGM's. Double checked several times to be sure the AGM light was still on. Interestingly, to keep from alarming people, they don't show the 17.5V on the "battery voltage" display. They clamp it at 6 or 12 volts while they are monkeying around. The voltmeter is only accurate when it's not in charging mode.
Just for fun, I grabbed another (also brand new) Exide Road Force 12V AGM. This time I set the charger to "GEL" and "Trickle". The battery still zooms up to above 17V. It does not stay there as long as the AGM setting. It drops back about 14.5V on the second stage. The GEL setting does indeed do *something*. Weather you want to do this to your GEL cells is up to you. It's not clear weather the initial zoom charge is timed or current limited. Either way not good for GEL cells.
Bottom line only use this at 6V if you *really* like to blow up batteries or are going to watch it like a hawk (and have a voltmeter). It's probably fine for flooded (put water in them) batteries. It may / may not be a good idea for AGM's. I would not use it on GEL's.
Bob
Honest reviews on Schumacher XC103 SpeedCharge 100 Amp Battery Charger with Engine
I purchased this due to needing to replace an older unit . I have a very short commute and in the winter My car doesnt get driven enough tomantain a full charge on it's battery. I Used this for the first time the other day and it brought my dead DieHard Gold battery back to life after having left my lights on overnight. total charging time in the fast mode was 1.5 hours. I have used this in trickle mode and starting mode and all work perfectly .
Highly reccomend this item
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