Schumacher DSR139 battery charger

Hdonly · May 27, 2023

Recently bought a Schumacher DSR139 manual battery charger. I have had Schumacher chargers in the past and they were good chargers. This new one isn't. First thing I didn't like was the junk plastic handle. Picked it up to get over a tree root and the handle came completely out of the unit. Put it back in and it pulled right out again. Finally used a couple of self drilling screws to keep it in place. Next, I hooked it up and turned it on. No indication whatever that it's doing anything. The panel amp meter does nothing. It never moved. Got my meter out and confirmed that it does actually charge. Everything seems to be junk nowadays.

wore out · May 27, 2023

I have a Sears version, and the handle easily pulls out as well.

STUPID!

Stephen Newell · May 27, 2023

I had the same experience with a smaller Schumacher charger. If I had a good new battery which was drained dead it would say the battery was sulfated and turn itself off and refuse to charge the battery. I had to put the battery on a HF battery maintainer and get it 75% charged before the Schumacher would work. Stupid Smart Charger

Russ from MN · May 27, 2023

I have one that works well, but I replaced the handle with a bolted on piece of belting.

Geo-TH,In · May 27, 2023

I bought this charger when I was in HS. Graduated
in 1967.

I had a brain fart. I forgot to unplug it and the
leads shorted together.

While it was sitting on the bench I noticed all
the smoke came out. Everything but the
transformer was toast..

I don't know why my replacement diodes, used one
I had in a box, gave me more voltage and 16 amps.

So I put a switch on the left side to remove one
diode for less charging amps. I also installed a
dimmer switch on the right side to turn the
charger into a trickle charger.

In the first pic I use a dusk to dawn timer to
turn the charger off so I don't cook a battery,
which I've done in the past, brain farts.

I only use this charger if a battery is
completely dead and a smart charger won't work.

I think this charger was made by Schumacher too.

HFJ · May 27, 2023

love it, george. nice job. i have an Atek from the 80s and a somewhat more modern schumacher for the times my smart charger says nope. mildly annoying.

now that i finally own a DC clamp meter, i need to flatten a battery and see what that atek puts out. 25 amps wouldn't surprise me, it pins the needle way past the labeled 15 amp mark. it's a big box with a giant transformer and a board that's about half the size of a credit card, and some cobwebs.

kcm.MN · May 27, 2023

Look at Associated chargers. I have a smaller (portable) one, but they make larger models as well. Also, made in USA.

CKain(MI) · May 27, 2023

Not that it means 'quality' but it's from Schumacher Electric, Chicago. Unless is it contracted
out. DSR equals Don Schumacher Racing, as in Top Fuel Dragster driven by Tony Schumacher. Don's
son. I have used Schumacher chargers for many many years and older was better !! ps, my bil
worked on the car crew for 8 years, now tunes for Kalitta.

Hdonly · May 28, 2023

From the "Schumacher" website:

"With an owned, vertically integrated global supply chain, including plants in China, Mexico, and Belgium, Schumacher designs and produces a full complement of power converting products including battery chargers, testers, maintainers, jump starters, portable power, lithium and electric vehicle charging as well as custom transformers for the electronics industry."

Well, there you go! Sounds like they may be only "based" in the U.S. Manufactured elsewhere. Might as well buy a cheaper one from China in the first place.

Schumacher DSR139 battery charger

Hdonly

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wore out

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Stephen Newell

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Russ from MN

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Geo-TH,In

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HFJ

Well-known Member

kcm.MN

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CKain(MI)

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Hdonly

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