Battery Chargers        (Read down or click here to choose your charger)

Charging your battery must be done with the correct equipment and to achieve this there are many chargers available to us. It's important to keep the battery in a fully charged state whether its being used or not. This will guard against sulphation, a process that will reduce the battery's ability to perform to its maximum specification. The Gel battery uses lower voltages than the flooded and AGM units and must have a dedicated charger. Some chargers have a selection switch for flooded/AGM or Gel.

Automotive Chargers.

Loosely speaking, an automotive charger has a fixed voltage (say 14.7v) and the amperage reduces as the battery voltage equals the charger voltage (water finds its own level).  As the state of charge increases, so does the rate of charge slow and the last 20% of the charge is really slow.

Also bear in mind, that gassing (boiling) of a lead acid battery occurs at 14.4v (at average temperatures) and the automotive charger is insensitive to this. If left on through an extended time frame, the electrolyte will evaporate to a dangerously low level - the battery will overheat and internal damage will result. However, the automotive charger can be low in price but must be managed.

Adaptive Charger

Known for its ability to adapt to the state of charge and condition of the battery. The adaptive charger generally has 3 steps and sometimes 4.

1. Bulk charge. Often over a given time frame, the charge rate is at a constant amperage for fast recovery up to about 80%. The charger will automatically click into the next stage -

2. Absorption. This will maintain a given voltage and reduce current as the charge comes up. This will minimise the recovery period  with minimum electrolyte loss.

3. Float. The battery is now fully charged and the voltage will drop to approximately 13.6v (below gassing voltage of 14.4v) The float mode will guard against parasitic discharge or loss due to the maintenance of memory circuits.

4. The 4th stage when present, could be described as a pulse wake up call. Periodically, the charger will click from float mode back to bulk mode for a brief time and then back to float. This process will guard against stratification (the electrolyte settling into layers of different concentration) Many battery advisors will recommend the battery be equalised every 4 or 6 months to ensure all cells are fully charged which also promotes de stratification.

The adaptive charger is ideal for retaining and holding a battery in a fully charged state over prolonged periods. Ideal for moored vessels, seasonal agricultural equipment and vehicle restoration projects.

Battery Conditioners (Maintainer)

The battery conditioner is a low amperage charger (500mA) at 13.8 volts. It will charge a battery over time but ideal to hold up against parasitic discharge over long periods. It will have a indication LED that will flash on and off when the battery is fully charged. It is quite safe to leave a 'conditioner / maintainer'  charging your battery for long periods of time.

Battery Maintenance Tools

Tools to assist you with your battery care.

(Disclaimer- BatteryDirect does not take any responsibility for any inaccuracy of the information contained herein)

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