Schumacher SC2181 Battery Chargers come with a 100A Engine Starter and a pair of jumper cables to jumpstart your car if need be. Quite frankly, no other battery charger we’ve seen has this capability so this gives the Schumacher a huge leg up. Check out our best battery chargers list for more great options! And, if you need to keep your smartphone charged, read our reviews about the best portable phone charger.
Why We Like It – Schumacher SC1281 Automatic Battery Charger
The Schumacher SC1281 Automatic Battery Charger diagnoses electrical problems with your battery which can eliminate an expensive mechanic bill if you already know what’s wrong with it. The digital display is very easy to read, and it can power-up dead batteries too! It may take a few attempts, the battery is dead after all, but it can be done.
- Auto Voltage Detection
- 100A Engine Starter
- Can jumpstart large batteries too
- Flimsy clamps
- Messy and confusing instructions
Performance
The Schumacher SC2181 Fully Automatic Battery Charger and alternator tester provides charge level and can even help diagnose electrical problems. The Schumacher SC2181 also features auto voltage detection and multi stage charging for added precision safety, and battery life. For those who want more than just a charger the Schumacher also comes with jumper cables to help jump start your car battery if need be. It’s a nice added feature, but you can also consider the DieHard 71219 Battery Charger Maintainer if that’s an option that doesn’t really suit you. If you want another portable charger, check out this Poweradd pilot 2GS review.
Design
The Schumacher SC1281 Automatic Battery Charger contains a digital display which makes reading the screen much easier. The built-in reverse hook-up protection means the charger will not operate if the clamps are reversed. An LED indicator let’s you know if this is the case. Unfortunately, these clamps are a little on the flimsy side, so consider the Ampeak Battery Charger Maintainer Automatic if you want, or need, something with more durability. On a final note, the Schumacher is microprocessor controlled and automatically adjusts the amperage rate to charge and maintain a charge efficiently. Keep your car batteries from draining with our Schumacher SP 200 Solar battery maintainer review.
Value
The Schumacher SC2181 Automatic Battery Charger can bring a dead battery back to life. It may take a few attempts, according to customer reviews, but it can be done. And you don’t have to keep to car batteries either. The Schumacher can charge or jumpstart large batteries too. In fact, it can charge all compatible battery types like standard, AGM, gel, and deep cycle. It retails for $79.00, which is a fair price for everything you’re getting, but you can consider the MOTOPOWER MP00205A Automatic Battery Maintainer if you’re on a budget.
Schumacher SC1281 Automatic Battery Charger Wrap Up
It would be nice if the Schumacher SC1282 Automatic Battery Charger’s clamps were a little more durable. It would also be nice if the instructions were written better too. But a veteran, or anyone who knows how to use the internet, should be able to get it to work just fine. And the fact that it can be used for things other than car batteries shouldn’t be overlooked either.
