Customer Reviews

Vector VEC1092 Smart Battery Charger (2/10/20/35 Amp)

5 star:		(4)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(3)

 

 

The box and printed manual for this charger say it is "safe for all lead acid batteries including flooded, gel and AGM." But when I set it to charge at 10 amps, the output voltage was 14.9-14.9 volts. This far exceeds the max voltage for every 12volt gel I have seen. A label on my batteries says the max charging voltage "should not exceed... 14.2 volts".

A call to Vector led to their claim "we cannot match every gel battery out there". But on my query they acknowledged they do make more expensive chargers which have a battery type selector switch, w/gel one choice. When I pointed out that obviously they knew some, if not most or all, gel batteries need special settings since their more expensive chargers have a switch for them, and asked, "So how can you claim on your box and in your manual that the 1092 is safe for _ALL_ lead-acid batteries including gels?" I heard only silence.

"_All_ is a pretty inclusive term you know" I added. More silence. After another 20 seconds of silence I hung up.

Bottom line: If you have gel cell batteries, don't buy or use this charger!

Finally a manufacturer designed a battery charger using the same switching technology that makes computer power supplies so small, light, and powerful. Output is insensitive to input voltage drops, meaning, contrary to instructions, you can very conveniently use a light extension cord and still get full output. Disadvantage?: It is light enough to easily topple if not placed securely. Hefty output cables, battery clamps, and case with cable storage compartment. Another disadvantage: it is a multi-stage (several charging plans kick in), but one shot. Once the battery is fully charged, it turns off, and will not turn on again to keep the battery topped off. Suggestion for their next model. You can start your car from dead after 5 minutes. Highly recommend.

This review is for the 2/10/20 Amp version, but my guess is that the technology is the same.

Everything I read on this charger told me it was the best I could get (reviews, the user manual, the product description, etc.) However, they (I bought two) simply would not consistently shut off when done charging my deep cycle marine batteries.

I have fairly large batteries (one series 27 and two series 29) and am not sure if that has something to do with it. They get stuck at about 3.2 amps and don't shut off; one night I went to bed and one battery was at 3.2 amps and the next morning it was at 5 amps and the battery was hot and boiling over (not so SMART!). The other battery had been fully charged and the charger shut off. I switched chargers and batteries around and could not find one charger or one battery that it consistently happened on, so it can only be the charger's design. Yes, my batteries are fairly new and I maintain the water level religiously.

Beware if you have bigger marine batteries...the first few times you try any of the Vectors make sure you are home and can check on them now and then to make sure the charger shuts off!

I have had this charger for over 3 years now and have found it to be the very best!! I use it every year to rejuvenate my car and tractor (now 7 years old) batteries, my brother borrows it every year to rejuvenate his boating batteries and I have found it to be a life saver on those rare occasions when I leave the "lights on" and run the car battery to nothing. A well designed product should not be totally judged by "customer service" or those rare modes of failure. It is a very good charger, it does what it promises to do, and I am very happy with it. You may borrow it if you need it ---- but if you don't return it, I'll come looking for you.

May 11, 2010 Although this model is no longer available, it seems to be similar to the Black & Decker VEC1093DBD Smart Battery 40/20/10/4 Amp Battery Charger. I assume that the VEC designation is a reference to Vector, the original manufacturer. The Black and Decker model has a higher AMP rating.

I've been using various chargers to maintain my household solar system for nearly twenty five years. When I installed a new system two years ago I purchased a VEC1092 2/10/20/35 and it has been an excellent choice. I am surprised at the bad reviews it has gotten in this forum and hope that I was not simply lucky enough to receive a rare "good" one, because I am ordering another one today for a neighbor who also lives off the grid.

I have used this charger nearly every day for 2 years on my job as a professional automobile technician. Today's vehicle batteries need to be placed on a charger to keep system voltage above 12.5 volts while their computer systems are interogated by the technician with a laptop or some other computer. This little charger has always been up to the task as well as charging an assortment of dead batteries. The only glitch I/ve had is that the plastic aligator clips broke but they are easily replaced. I'd recommend this charger to any professional or the do it yourselfer.

This was very tempermental, often giving an error message that something is wrong with the battery. I tried it on the same battery yesterday, and got three different messages in 3 consecutive tries. Saying battery was full, then a bad cell, and finally not connected. I tried it on 2 other cars which were both less than 3 years old, and both had "bad" batteries. I never did get my battery charged. There has to be better choices.

This unit will charge deep cycle marine batteries and auto batteries (Wet Cell only). I would not use this on AGM or Gel batteries.

Within a year both alligator clips broke under normal use on standard battery terminals. Not good. They told me I had to send the entire unit back both times. Instead of just sending me a new termnal, the girl said that would void the warrenty.

Let see , top dollar for the charger itself. 2 UPs shipping charges waiting for the unit to be repaired two times...........

I'd look elsewhere before buying this unit again.


I hope this is helpful.

D.H.