ctek is the best for cars.

sla there is a range of choice. i don't have a favorite brand, just getting one thats suitable size. you might want to get one that will charge the 12v lithium batteries. they area good upgrade to a lot of sla batteries.

I bought this - https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005003444679238.html has brought back a few car batteries that wouldn't charge on a basic one for long enough to drive and move the car around a bit. It has an AGM mode on it too for cars that have one. I have charged up some old UPS SLA's on the motorcycle option, it didn't seem to cook them. They're too far gone for the UPS but still hold enough power to use for other things so I keep them around.

I have a Super Cheap Auto one that cost about $120 that works well for both car and SLA / AGM batteries. It says it auto-detects the battery type

https://www.supercheapauto.co.nz/p/sca-sca-12v-2.5-amp-3-stage-battery-charger/577071.html

I've got one of those on my MX-5 that only goes out once every month or so at this time of the year - keeps it topped up no dramas. There is a 4a version for a little more money.

timmmay:

I have a Super Cheap Auto one that cost about $120 that works well for both car and SLA / AGM batteries. It says it auto-detects the battery type

neb:

timmmay:

 

I have a Super Cheap Auto one that cost about $120 that works well for both car and SLA / AGM batteries. It says it auto-detects the battery type

 

I've got a similar one, which I just remembered I've only ever used once on a UPS battery. If you're in Orkland and don't mind picking it up you can have it for half of whatever SCA is selling it for.

The only one around the $120 range that could find is this one ($129), is that what you have?

https://www.supercheapauto.co.nz/p/sca-sca-6v-12v-6-amp-7-stage-battery-charger/587423.html?cgid=SCN010602

lxsw20:

 

https://www.supercheapauto.co.nz/p/sca-sca-12v-2.5-amp-3-stage-battery-charger/577071.html

 

 

 

I've got one of those on my MX-5 that only goes out once every month or so at this time of the year - keeps it topped up no dramas. There is a 4a version for a little more money.

 

Can these chargers be connected/ON 24/7 or do you need to use them periodically?

mokoshakalaka:

The only one around the $120 range that could find is this one ($129), is that what you have?

 

https://www.supercheapauto.co.nz/p/sca-sca-6v-12v-6-amp-7-stage-battery-charger/587423.html?cgid=SCN010602

mokoshakalaka:

Can these chargers be connected/ON 24/7 or do you need to use them periodically?

mokoshakalaka:

 

lxsw20:

 

https://www.supercheapauto.co.nz/p/sca-sca-12v-2.5-amp-3-stage-battery-charger/577071.html

 

 

 

I've got one of those on my MX-5 that only goes out once every month or so at this time of the year - keeps it topped up no dramas. There is a 4a version for a little more money.

 

 

Can these chargers be connected/ON 24/7 or do you need to use them periodically?

 

Yeap if you read the spec sheet, you'll see it's got a float mode - meaning it just measures the battery and tops it up if required - so no issues leaving it on 24/7.

neb:

mokoshakalaka:

 

The only one around the $120 range that could find is this one ($129), is that what you have?

 

https://www.supercheapauto.co.nz/p/sca-sca-6v-12v-6-amp-7-stage-battery-charger/587423.html?cgid=SCN010602

 

It's actually this one, so a UK product rather than whatever Chinese special SCA is selling. Just realised that cost a lot more than the SCA one, in the > $200 range, so 50% of $200? If it's too much then no problem, I'll hang onto it in case another UPS battery needs rejuvenating.

Have PM'd you

I have had this one for many years now.

https://www.mrpositive.co.nz/ctek-12v-5-0a-8-stage-lead-acid-battery-charger/

Gets the job done. Brand is regarded as one of the best in the business.

Does get hot when working hard. And one of the plastic covers on the battery clips has broken off.

I have three small c-tek mxs type chargers for my boat's starter batteries and house battery.  They are connected 24/7,w hen the boat isn't in use.  I replaced one of the start batteries this year.  It was at least 5 years old.  That particular battery also powers the anchor winch, so it's had a hard life.  I haven't tried a CTek charger on SLAs. 

I have a specialised SLA charger for that, which I bought from JayCar (like this but maybe not exact model Automatic SLA Battery Charger 6V/12V/24V 1.2A | Jaycar Electronics New Zealand).  It works well, it has a float mode which is important as SLAs don't do well sitting on a shelf.

Thanks for all the help everyone! Ended up taking Neb's offer for his. Works like a charm