Craftsman 1.5A 6V MAX*/12V MAX* Automotive Battery Charger and Maintainer

Owning a variety of vehicles, from a car to a riding lawnmower, means keeping an eye on the health of multiple batteries. That’s where the Craftsman 1.5A 6V MAX/12V MAX Automotive Battery Charger and Maintainer, model number CMXCESM259, comes into play. This compact charger promises to keep stored and infrequently used batteries in good condition, which is particularly useful for anyone with seasonal vehicles or equipment.

The first thing that stands out about this charger is its automatic operation powered by microprocessor control. This feature ensures that the charging process is efficient and safe, preventing overcharging and extending the life of your battery. It's designed to be compatible with various battery types, including 6V and 12V standard, AGM, gel, and deep-cycle batteries. This versatility is a significant advantage, especially if you have different types of vehicles and equipment, as it eliminates the need to purchase multiple chargers.

One of the standout features of this charger is its auto voltage detection. This means that the charger can automatically detect whether your battery is 6V or 12V and adjust its charging process accordingly. This is particularly useful for someone like me who might not always be sure about the specifics of a battery's requirements. It takes the guesswork out of the process, making it more user-friendly.

The multi-stage charging process is another highlight. It ensures that the battery is charged in phases, which is not only more efficient but also safer for the battery. The charger starts with a bulk charge, then moves to absorption, and finally to float mode monitoring. This last stage is crucial as it keeps the battery at a full charge without overcharging it, which can be detrimental over time.

One of the features I found particularly reassuring was the reverse hook-up protection. This feature prevents the charger from operating if the clamps are connected to the wrong terminals. It's a small but essential feature that can prevent potentially damaging mistakes, especially if you're not always careful or are new to using battery chargers.

The Craftsman charger also comes with quick-connect clamps and ring terminals, making it easy to attach to the battery. The quick-connect feature is a time-saver and makes the process of hooking up the charger straightforward and hassle-free. Additionally, the mounting slots for wall or workbench attachment offer flexibility in terms of storage and usage. It’s compact and lightweight, with dimensions of 7.7 inches in length and width, a height of 2.2 inches, and a weight of just 1.5 pounds. This makes it easy to store and move around as needed.

In practice, I found the charger to be quite straightforward to use. Setting it up was a breeze, and the indicator lights clearly showed when the battery was charging and when it was fully charged. The microprocessor control meant I could leave the charger connected without worrying about the battery being overcharged. This was particularly useful for my car, which isn’t used daily. I could hook up the charger and forget about it, knowing that the battery would be in good condition the next time I needed it.

However, it's worth noting that this charger is not designed to bring a completely dead battery back to life. If a battery is deeply discharged, this charger might not be able to bring it up to cranking amperage. It's more of a maintainer than a full-fledged charger that can revive a dead battery. For my purposes, it worked well as a trickle charger, keeping my batteries topped up and ready for use. But if you're looking for something to revive a completely dead battery, you might need to look for a more powerful charger.

I also appreciated the fact that the charger can detect a bad battery. This feature can save you time and effort by alerting you if the battery is beyond saving, so you don't waste time trying to charge a battery that needs to be replaced.

Overall, the Craftsman 1.5A 6V MAX/12V MAX Automotive Battery Charger and Maintainer is a reliable tool for keeping your batteries in good condition. Its ease of use, automatic operation, and safety features make it a valuable addition to any garage, especially if you have multiple vehicles or equipment that aren’t used regularly. While it may not be powerful enough to revive a deeply discharged battery, it excels at maintaining and topping up batteries to ensure they’re ready when you need them.

I would recommend this charger for anyone looking for a straightforward, reliable tool to maintain their vehicle and equipment batteries. Its versatility, ease of use, and safety features make it a good choice for keeping your batteries in optimal condition. However, if you need a charger that can handle deeply discharged batteries, you might need to look for a more robust option.