Battery Maintainer vs Battery Charger

[dhong089]

I understand that a battery charger does exactly what it's named: charge the battery.

A battery maintainer sort of "conditions" the battery and always keeps it on top shape.

My question is, can I simply buy a battery maintainer and use it as a charger? Or are maintainers too "weak" to actually charge the battery? I'm sort of confused.

I was reading many reviews of the "cheaper" battery chargers, and I don't think I can really trust them. Also I don't have the money to go all out. On top of that, I don't think I can use a charger without blowing up the battery... lol

So what are your opinions?

There is a battery maintainer from snap-on that I am interested in, as the price isn't bad.

Here's the direct link: http://buy1.snapon.com/catalog/item....re&dir=catalog