Stuart,
I think I thoroughly checked out about 100 chargers and am going stare crazy at all the facts, all the positive and negative customer reviews on each charger. It seems that nothing is simple anymore except maybe my brain capacity. Ctek had all positive reviews. I finally ordered the "Ctek Polar Charger" from Amazon.com. It is on back order. Thanks for the suggestion. Thanks to all the listers who helped with their personal experience some are certainly scary.
Looking forward for some spring weather.

Dennis Jowell
Scotch Hollow Farm
Newbury, Vermont 

> On Jan 10, 2015, at 12:58 PM, Stuart MacMillan <stuartmacm@gmail.com> wrote:
> 
> I've been using Ctek chargers for years now, and have three, one on each of
> the three cars I store.  On the two vans I plug it into the cabinet socket
> and hook up shore power.  http://smartercharger.com/ 
> 
> I have the basic model, and now they have a "polar" model that looks just
> right for you!
> 
> I too have exploded a battery.  It happens when the electrolyte gets below
> the grids and a spark is generated inside the battery, usually during
> charging or jumping.  The Hydrogen gas in there goes ka-boom!
> 
> The Ctek justifies the term "smart charger."
> 
> Stuart
> 
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Vanagon Mailing List [mailto:vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com] On Behalf Of
> Dennis Jowell
> Sent: Saturday, January 10, 2015 3:26 AM
> To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
> Subject: Westy battery charger
> 
> Good morning to all
> My 20 year old Sears craftsman battery charger went south yesterday trying
> to trickle charge my Westy main battery! Does anyone have a recommendation
> for a new charger? Reading all the reviews of all the ones out their sure is
> confusing. Many horror stories of the Chargers burning etc. batteries
> exploding etc. any thoughts? Any suggestions?
> Dennis
> 
> Dennis Jowell
> Scotch Hollow Farm
> Newbury Vermont =
>