Vector VEC1088A Smart Battery Charger (2/6/12 Amp)

by Vector

Product Features

• Uses microprocessors to create pure DC current for fast charging
• Includes battery reconditioner, reverse polarity protection and indicator
• Features 3 charging modes: 2, 6 and 12 amp
• Weighs less than 5 pounds
• Compact and easy to store

Product Details

Product Manual [856kb PDF]

• Shipping Weight: 4.8 pounds
• Shipping: Currently, item can be shipped only within the U.S. and to APO/FPO addresses. For APO/FPO shipments, please check with the manufacturer regarding warranty and support issues.
• ASIN: B00009RB0R
• California residents: Click here for Proposition 65 warning.
• Item model number: VEC1088A
• Average Customer Review: 3.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (9 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #283,819 in Automotive (See Top 100 in Automotive)
• Discontinued by manufacturer: Yes

Product Description

Vector's Smart Battery Charger is advanced, convenient and efficient. It uses microprocessors to create pure DC current, allowing for a rapid charge in just 4 minutes. Other features include a battery reconditioner, reverse polarity protection and indicator, 3 charging modes, digital control and more. At just under 5 pounds, it is lightweight and easy to store.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

36 of 36 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Not bad..., November 23, 2003

By 

Eric Uratchko (Howell, MI. United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Vector VEC1088A Smart Battery Charger (2/6/12 Amp) (Tools & Home Improvement)

I've always been a bit of a nerd when it comes to battery chargers. And while this charger doesn't monitor the temperature of the battery as it charges, it certainly manages a good job nonetheless.

Recently I noticed dwindling capacity from the battery in my 2001 Audi S4 Avant ... go figure, it's been cold out in Michigan lately and this is the stock battery that has suffered several complete discharges on accident. Being a non deap-cycle design, letting it sit dead for 24 hours or more at a time is murder on it's lifespan. Its capacity was down to about 25% measured with a state of the art battery tester.

I had the choice of either purchasing a new battery- ~$90 my cost, or buying this charger for $50 at a local Wal-Mart. Not having a good multi-stage charger presently (My prized yuasa charger died a year ago)- I inspected this one carefully. It's "reconditioning" feature drew my curiosity.. and knowing I could return it if it didn't work, I figured what the heck.

My old battery now is up to 80% capacity after 48 hours of reconditioning. It does take a while, each cycle takes 24 hours beyond a normal charge. But, I'm impressed. This isn't some lame surface charge or slow trickle charge, it actually desulfated some of the plates on my battery.

Pros- small, lightweight, heavy gauge clamps and wires. Internal variable speed cooling fan and switching power supply exhibit proper battery charger construction.

Cons- too light. The wires weigh more than it does almost, so it's very easy to 'pull' the charger off of whatever you set it on, possibly making it fall to the ground and damaging it.

Summary: The packaging has a hailstorm of technical information that most buyers aren't going to read, including screenshots from a Fluke scopemeter showing waveform generation comparisons. I think most Wal-Mart buyers are going to look at the $50 pricetag and buy the el-cheapo $19.99 5/50A analog charger and move on, making this excellent product eventually dissapear due to lackluster sales. If you want a good charger, buy this one while it's available. It won't be around forever..

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Best battery charger I've owned, July 7, 2005

By 

J. Krause "AB4CZ" (Atlanta) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Vector VEC1088A Smart Battery Charger (2/6/12 Amp) (Tools & Home Improvement)

I have purchased two of the VEC1088A chargers, the first about a year ago. With its high frequency switch-mode power supply technology it is very compact and light for a 12 Amp charger. The desulfation mode appears to work well. I had a 5 year old car battery with a green 'eye' state-of-charge indicator. No matter how much I charged this old battery, it would never indicate "green" for "full charge". Using the Vector charger, I ran the desulfation mode twice (two days) and then charged the battery. The charge indicator window on the battery returned to green, indicating that the specific gravity of the acid in the battery was back up to 'full charge' state. One caveat ... the charger has circuitry that prohibits reverse connection and also avoids sparking during hookup. This circuitry requires that the battery have some residual charge so the charger can sense a "real battery" is connected. This charger will not initiate charge on a completely dead battery. To charge a completely dead battery you must initially charge the battery for a few minutes with a 'dumb' charger, then hook up the Vector. With the 12A charge rate, this charger will charge a battery enough to crank a car in only a few minutes. I was impressed enough with my first charger to buy one for my brother. He's been equally impressed. I recommend it.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent little charger, September 26, 2004

By 

Loufish (Burbank, CA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Vector VEC1088A Smart Battery Charger (2/6/12 Amp) (Tools & Home Improvement)

I was surprised how well this unit worked for it's size. It has a top line of features, easy to use, light weight, and even has a pocket in the rear to hold the cables. The 12 amp max charge rate may be a little low for for someone who needs a boost type charger, but for deep cycle batteries(which I have)this charger is very ideal.