Review: Schumacher SC1667/SC1666 Manual Battery Charger and Jump Starter

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Automatic battery chargers can be awesome tools to have in the shop. They take all the guesswork out of making sure your batteries are full of that sweet, sweet juice you need to crank your engine to life. All you have to do is hook up the leads, and let them work their magic for a few hours. Or at least, that's how it should go. 

We've all got stories of automatic chargers giving bad readings, failing to charge fast enough, and leaving us dead in the water. That’s why a lot of car owners prefer to stick with manual chargers. Sure, they’re a little more of a pain to set up, but they’re ultra reliable, which is extremely important when it comes to something as critical as topping off your batteries.

Schumacher Electric needs no introduction. It’s an absolute powerhouse in the world of battery chargers, and has been hard at work since 1947. Recently, it introduced the SC1667 and SC1666 250A 6V/12V Manual Timer-Controlled Battery Charger and Jump Starter for folks who like to take matters into their own hands. I just so happen to have one in my possession, and I'm happy to lay out what it brings to the table for anyone considering snagging one for themselves. 

Schumacher's new 250A 6V/12V Manual Timer-Controlled Battery Charger and Jump Starter comes in two versions: the standard version, which is part number SC1667, and the Farm and Ranch version under part number SC1666. The only difference between the two is superficial marketing stuff. I was actually sent the ladder as the SC1667 was on backorder at the time. I'm totally cool with that because the sweet logo on this one just makes it feel more official. 

These manual chargers have three charge modes, 10 Amp, 20 Amp, and 50-Amp, all of which are controlled by the timer knob, which can be set to run for up to 135 minutes. It can be used on both six and 12-volt lead-acid batteries, including standard, AGM, and Gel types. While that's generally as good as it gets for many battery chargers, it also has a built-in 250-amp jump starter to help get you up and running in a hurry. 

As for physical dimensions,