If you have to resurrect a dead battery, you've been neglectful. Shame on you. Okay, so I'm being harsh, but to prevent this kind of situation, or recover from it, the TecMate Optimate 4 charger has a few features that are pleasantly surprising in a charger that only costs around $70.

It is waterproof and can be used outside, which is a boon for riders who rent and want to avoid the hazards of charging a battery inside an apartment. In constant communication with your battery, the Optimate 4 has 19 possible messages it can transmit using an LED display. It will let you know how far along the charging process is or if you have a dead cell. To save electricity, the Optimate 4 will stop attempting to charge a shorted-out battery after 48 hours. When your battery does take a charge, you can leave it hooked up to the Optimate 4 for maintenance.

Batteries at different levels of neglect have different needs, so the Optimate 4 will begin charging the battery according to its condition. Charging cycles are different for sulfated batteries, batteries that have at least a 2 volt charge, and batteries that have been sorely neglected. This microprocessor-controlled charger will periodically check in on the battery's status and adjust the charge in order to preserve the overall life of the battery or diagnose any problems for you.

Now, you have to ask yourself if you need all of this. If not, you can pick up a charger for 1/3 the cost, but the diagnostic feature could save you a lot of wasted time trying to charge a battery that's already given up the ghost.

Find this TecMate Optimate 4 Battery Charger:

• Click here to find this product at Amazon.com

Find this battery charger on eBay:

OPTIMATE 4 DESULFATING WEATHERPROOF CHARGER MAINTAINER US $66.95   Auction Ends: 28d 1h 15m Make it yours...

TECMATE OPTIMATE 4 BATTERY CHARGER MOTORCYCLE ATV US $60.49   Auction Ends: 6d 18h 18m Make it yours...

TECMATE CHARGER OPTIMATE 4 TM141 US $65.95   Auction Ends: 26d 3h 10m Make it yours...