Tuesday, January 28, 2014

Schumacher SE-3000 Manual Fleet Battery Charger

Schumacher SE-3000 Manual Fleet Battery ChargerI needed a charger for a large set of deep cycle batteries, something that would put out lots of amps continuously. And of course I didn't want to spend a lot of money. This charger has worked great, met all my expectations.

But understand what it is, a big heavy manual charger. Left on it's highest setting it will fry all but the biggest batteries. But if you have big batteries, 600 amp hours or bigger, it's great. That's amp hours, not CCA or cold cranking amps.

Why only 4 out of 5 stars? Two flaws. Two of the sheet metal screws on the outside are stripped, easy to fix. The other flaw is worse. The cables are only 6 gauge. If you use the charger at full potential, outputting 60-80 amps, for more than 30 minutes the cables get hot. Once the cables started smoking, melting the insulation, luckily I noticed and turned off the charger. This thing should have a least 4 gauge cables.

But I think most people will use it on car batteries, so the hot cable issue shouldn't be a problem.

The battery charger works wonderfully and it contains the desired features, but the sheet metal box isn't very sturdy. Like other chargers I've seen at various stores, the manufacturer saved a few pennies by using a light gauge sheet metal. The first item delivered was dented even though the shipping box didn't appear to have any damage. The return and exchange was quite easy. I still had the first one when the replacement item arrived several days later. The second item was also damaged. Luckly, I could assemble one good item out of the two I received.

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Ordered two of these for local fire dept. they have trucks with 6 volt all the way up to 24 volt starting systems and one charger is easier to keep track of than four different voltage ones. A couple things i recommend after using this charger are: keeping an eye on the clamps they get hot on high charging rate with high CCA battery, and on 6 volt low it is not a trickle charger, so don't leave timer on to long. All that said it is a good value for a small fleet or farm in a big charger.

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Charger is functional in 6, 12, and 24 volts. Will do lite duty charging. The cables are very lite duty, so be careful if you are charging high amps in 12 volts or using 24 volts. The case is very lite duty also, even though it was packaged well, it was dented but did not affect use. I kept it as it was minor and I figured it would eventually get bumps and scrapes during use. In my opinion not a "fleet" quality charger. I will get by as I am using it as a backup second charger. Bottom line: You get what you pay for. It was about half price of a "fleet" quality charger.

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We use ti the charge our big riggs. It has a 24 volt charging system that most charger do not have.

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Black & Decker 100-Watt Inverter VEC1044BD

Black & Decker 100-Watt Inverter VEC1044BDI bought one of these at Walmart for around $15 when I couldn't find my no-name inverters. This one has worked great, I take it on every plane trip I go on. Normally I use this to power my laptop ($15 for an inverter is better than 50-100 for a laptop-specific DC power adapter, if you can even find one). One time when the battery was low, the inverter kept shutting itself off. It would work for a few seconds, then quit until I unplugged + plugged it back in. My theory is that when the laptop battery was extremely low, the power adapter was drawing more wattage than this little inverter could handle. Other than that one time, I've had no problems. Has a little fan noise, normally not noticeable. Definitely recommended, nicer (better built) than the no-name inverters I've tried.

I believe that if everyone would put one of these in their car they would wonder how they did without. Many uses including laptop charge, cell phone, and cordless drills. The noise that the other reviewer refers to is from the fan keeping the unit cool.

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Excellent product as it is small, light and without an unnecessary power cord. The bending head is ideal for getting the connected power cord out of the way in a vehicle. Replaces a big & bulky unit that I used to use.

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I really liked this product when I first bought it. Then the internal fan started making funny noises (much louder than the operating noise). I exchanged it for a new one. The new unit was much quieter than the previous unit, but then started making the same noisy fan. It seems the fan is wobbly and takes a little tapping to get the fan back to the normal alignment.

I'm taking it back again

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This works fine, the only reason I gave it 4 stars was because it is a bit loud, meaning the fan.

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Wagan 5 Amp AC to 12V DC Power Adapter

Wagan 5 Amp AC to 12V DC Power AdapterI purchased this unit to power the Koolatron Compact Kooler, which uses 4.5 amps. I initially purchased the Sunforce 55520, which was a big mistake. It arrived dead on arrival and after some research I realized that it never really had the power to run the fridge, even though it boasts 5.8 amps.

However, this worked great right out of the box. My first impression was that it was definitely much heavier than the Sunforce 55520 and it seemed to cool the fridge effortlessly. I precooled my fridge for about 12 hours before plugging it in the car and the adapter never got hotter than lukewarm.

If you need an AC/DC Power Converter that will power a device upto 5 amps, go with the 5 Amp AC to 12V DC Power Adapter. You won't regret the decision.

This 12V 110V adapter worked perfectly to power my Coleman thermoelectric cooler that draws a continuous 4.5 amps at 12V

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There's very little to say about a power supply that works properly. I used this to supply power to my QHY8 astronomical camera, which wants 4 amps at 12 volts. I typically use it for 6-8 hours at a stretch, and while it gets warm, it does the job. This supply was reasonably priced, and it's smaller than the similar 12V DC power supply I purchased to power my anti-dew strips.

Gus

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I tried to operate a 12-volt fan that is rated at 2.6 Amps and the voltage dropped WAY below 12 volts-making it severely underpowered. The adapter says it can handle 5 amps, I would hate to think what actual voltage it is putting out if you try to put that much load on it. I have used many generic branded 12-volt adapters and never seen a single one perform THIS badly!

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Worked perfectly with my igloo cooler. Had it running for 2 days in the hotel room when we went away.

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Kicker 09ZCK44 Z-Series 4AWG Amplifier Kit with 4-Channel Interconnects ROHS Compliant

Kicker 09ZCK44 Z-Series 4AWG Amplifier Kit with 4-Channel Interconnects ROHS Compliant
  • Complete kits with Direct-Control components
  • Comes with Signal cables and 16 AWG Super Twist Speaker Wire

If you've been shopping around for a quality amp wiring kit, you probably know there are a lot of imitators out there. By that I mean companies selling "4-gauge" wire that really isn't 4 gauge.

This Kicker kit is the real deal. True 4 awg power/ground cables, true 16 awg speaker wires, and high quality RCAs. The cables are all OFC and super flexible I'm holding the ground cable in my hand now and can easily bend it 180 degrees in a 1 inch radius.

As is typical with Amazon, the item description is a bit lacking here's what you get:

20' of blue 4 awg power cable with a ring terminal and about 3' of tech flex installed on one end.

3' of grey 4 awg ground cable with a ring terminal installed on one end.

20' of grey 18 awg wire for the remote turn on.

16' of 4 channel twisted pair RCA cable.

60' of 16 awg blue/grey speaker wire.

An inline fuse holder with a 100A AFS fuse.

A firewall grommet (not the greatest available, but will do the job)

An assortment of cable ties, spade terminals, and disconnects.

Overall it's a high quality kit with just about everything you need to install an amp and upgrade your car's audio system. I spent who know how many hours looking at different brands and comparing products and 3 companies aways stood out Monster, Rockford Fosgate, and Kicker.

This Kicker kit gives you a ton of value for your dollar, even at the average price found on other websites--but this deal here on Amazon is a steal.

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I actually needed two more channels, so I picked up another set of RCA's and one extra spool of speaker wire, but armed with this I had all components needed to do a complete install of one sub, 2 6x9's, and set of satellites for my Accord. Worth the price and I had piece of mind knowing that Kicker provided true 4 AWG wire. The kit was complete and I had the help of my brother and one other friend (none of us being mechanics) we were able to do a complete install in 2 days. There was no need to worry about having to run to the store and get something else. If you've ever worked on your house or car, then you know what that's like to realize you forgot something or need extra parts.

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Was a good price and apparently higher quality than what most of the radio installers receive from customers (they commented on how nice it was).

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much better than buying all the cables separately. this kit gave me all i needed to install my jl audio amp and kicker speakers.

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I bought this for my friend and this is a great package for anyone who loves sound...No issues so far!!

Monday, January 27, 2014

Stinger HPM Series Pos or Neg Battery Terminal

Stinger HPM Series Pos or Neg Battery Terminal
  • Cutting-edge angular styling finish
  • Fits positive or negative battery post
  • Includes clear cover
  • Lifetime Warranty

these work out very nice clean smooth fancy look and does the job i am very happy with this product easy to work with thx again great sellers fast shipping

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THIS BATTERY TERMINAL DOES NOT FIT WELL ONTO MY OPTIMA AND KINETIK BATTERIES.IT IS LOOSE WHEN TIGHTENED.IT WILL ONLY HOLD ONTO THE BATTERIES WHEN OVERTIGHTENED.SEEMA LIKE STINGER ARE GETTING INFERIOR QUALITY PRODUCTS OUT OF CHINA.

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I searched on Amazon to find the product i was looking for, read the reviews, and examined product carefully before deciding to purchase this product.

I recieved it quickly and was very happy with the design and quality. I cant wait to install to my 1800 Kinetik Battery (second battery for killer system build).

I would recommend this product to all who want a professional looking install. I just wish Rockford Fosgate would follow suite and make some products along these lines.

AAA 70 Piece Explorer Road Assistance Kit

AAA 70 Piece Explorer Road Assistance KitI got this kit from amazon because it came with a bunch of stuff I wanted to use -jumper cables, usb powered air pump, reflective triangle etc. While the kit seems comprehensive, the quality of products is very low. The usb powered air pump is completely useless, every time I've tried it, all it does it just rattle around, with no difference whatsoever to my tire pressure. While I've never had to use the reflective triangle; but it seems very unstable; and just a single one won't be any good anyways. I've since bought emergency beacons (or you could buy flares etc.), also from amazon, which use a bunch of AA batteries, are magnetic so you could stick it to the vehicle itself if you want, are much shorter in height, and way brighter and eye-catching (blinking). The only thing I've really used is the jumper cable; they don't seem very high quality; but they've always done the job. I could have used a bit longer cables though; but we've always been able to push the dead car so make it closer to the live one.

Overall, this is what I've bought over time and use -good jumper cables, emergency flares, tire pressure gauge, first aid kit (voodoo tactical is good). I no longer bother with the air pump, you can always just change the tire; and if there's something stuck in the tire, filling air only won't help. I also keep a torque wrench (80 bucks from lowe's), because it makes it trivial to change tires, and ensure the correct pressure on the lug nuts.

Btw, DO practice changing the tire in your garage. Knowing you can change the tire on your own, gives a big relief to mind when you make that big trip. From my own experiences, while road side assistance seems plentiful in the day, at night things are not the same. There're generally only one or two towing agencies working in the night per city (which means lot of calling around to figure out who'd come), and the minimum wait that you'd have to do for one to arrive would be at least 45 minutes; that is if you have cell reception in the area where you're stuck and can call. If you know how to change tire, its more like a 15 minute affair. Practicing the tire change also lets you figure out where is the jack in the car (lot of people don't know that), where to put the jack (most of the people don't know that), and how to use wrench etc. or, if you even have the wrench.. (or the owners manual for that case).

Anyways, bunch of the other stuff in the kit, I've no idea when I'd need them. There're some bandages etc, but even a basic first aid kit is better than what this kit has in terms of tackling injuries. So, this was an okay starter kit when I didn't know what to keep in the car, but now that I do know, I think its a waste of money. However, this is still better than not having anything, a good first step to safety.. so giving it 3 stars.

purchased this when my car battery died in carpool line one day and i didn't have jumper cables. while i feel better about having an emergency kit in the car at all times now, i feel i really could have spent the money on "really good" jumper cables and and put together the rest of the "kit" myself. not the best bang for the buck, but it serves it's purpose and i'm glad i have it.

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I bought this as a gift for my 17 year old nephew who was a new driver (ugh) with a older type car. He was equally amazed how many useful items came within this bag. Add this with a cell phone and an 'emergency-use-only' $20 bill and you'll be able to breath alittle better when he's on the road.

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This road assistance kit is great; comprehensive enough for my needs. I mainly bought it because it has jumper cables and a flashlight that works without batteries pretty sweet considering I probably (hopefully) won't be using it often. It has some first-aid stuff and even a poncho if you get caught in a rainstorm while changing a tire! I feel more prepared for the unexpected having this kit in my trunk.

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Am a bit disappointed by the AAA 70 Piece Explorer Road Assistance Kit. In the first place, the specific reference to 70 piece is somewhat deceptive. The kit will indeed contain 70 pieces if every single band aid, etc. is counted. There are a few major pieces such as decent jumper cables, a flimsy-looking hand charged flashlight, cheap-looking flat headand Phillips head screwdrivers (one each), etc. One could undoubtedly assemble better quality tools at a similar cost. The carrying bag is of decent quality and is luckily left with sufficient room to add one's own tools and first aid supplies (which inevitably I will. This road assistance kit is at best a decent start, but far from sufficient in even minor road assistance situations.

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CLBT/C/245/2002 New 3 Buttons Remote Key Case Shell for Lexus Es300 RX 300 SC 300 GS 300 Gs Is Sc (

CLBT/C/245/2002 New 3 Buttons Remote Key Case Shell for Lexus Es300 RX 300 SC 300 GS 300 Gs Is Sc No Chips InsideIn my situation, the rear part of the key case broke where you screw the 2 pieces together. I was just trying to use the Rear part that has the Lexus logo and discard the front and key blank part.

Since it was aftermarket, it did not fit with the old key. For the record, I've tried About 3-4 of these and none of them fit perfectly. I was able to get a different rear plate to fit somewhat with modification, but it eventually broke because the key had unattached from the front piece and was moving around with each turn.

I didn't want to pay to get the key cut, because I had read the reviews of the durability. If you're like me, and the key has broken from being molded to the front of the case, you are going to have to get a blank and get the entire key cut. They sell them on flea already cut, but I can't attest to those either. I eventually found a friend of a friend who could get me a genuine key for a reasonable price and went with that.

Bottom Line Review: I can't attest to the durability of it. The case is probably a little bit bigger than the original one. Compared to the OEM key, you can tell the Lexus logo is fake because it looks a little cheap, but I don't think you can tell otherwise. On my OEM key, they lettering on the back is "raised" and inscribed in there. On this one, the model and everything is printed on a sticker and stuck on the back. I thought that was a pretty cheap thing to do, but would have been sufficient if you just want a functioning key for however long it lasted.

I returned this item to the sender, but was required to pay the return shipping. It wasn't too big a deal to me though. I just reused the old packaging and the shipping cost was under $1.

Can only use 1 side of the key. The other side is molded to the actual key that would need to be recut.

It's the other part that's cracked.

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was able to fix my broken key remote case with this new case. My key fit perfectly in this new case

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The plastic on the head of the key is flimsy and thin. The key blank is not an exact match and required modification to work properly.

I ordered two and was down to one before I left the locksmith. It broke as we were testing out the key cut.

My locksmith (a friend) sold me an actual Lexus key blank (with case) for $27.00. He claims this was his cost plus 10%.

Do yourself a favor: Avoid this Chinese crap and spend the extra few dollars. You will be much happier and the few extra dollars is worth it.

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Remember though, that you still have to have the dealer cut the key shank to fit your car. The inner parts need to be working as this is just the plastic cover.