How to choose a battery charger

Even the best quality battery has the ability to discharge in case of improper use. To replenish its charge, you can use the services of a neighbor and simply “light up” it, entrusting the subsequent charging to the generator, or you can remove the battery and connect its charger, set the required current value and replenish the charge with it. All that is required in the second case is to have a compact battery charger on hand.

Top Charger Manufacturers

Modern chargers for car batteries are high-tech devices that allow you to control the generated current up to several milliamperes, thereby providing fine charging. The best are considered models from well-known manufacturers of automotive electronics:

1. Varta;

2. Bosch;

3. Delphi;

4. Htachi;

5. Mitsubishi;

6. Topla;

When selecting a battery charger, it is necessary to focus not only on the device performance characteristics and the parameters of the installed battery on the vehicle, but also on user reviews that highlight the strengths and weaknesses of a particular model. It is easiest to find such information on the Internet, by setting an appropriate search query, as well as in various public social networks and on thematic automotive forums.

Types of car chargers

Modern car chargers are classified in different ways, but the most appropriate is the division into types depending on the functionality of the device, as well as the principle of its operation.

Chargers on the principle of operation

Transformer Chargers

Time-tested models, widely used in the last century. They are based on a step-down transformer, on the primary winding of which 220 Volts are supplied, and 12 Volts are removed from the secondary. Suitable for charging a variety of rechargeable batteries, designed for on-board network voltage of 12 volts.

Virtues

• Inexpensive;

• A wide range of compatible batteries;

• Unpretentious care and maintenance;

• Simple design;

disadvantages

• Very heavy;

• Not suitable for modern microcontroller charge batteries;

• No fine adjustment of the degree of charge;

• Large dimensions;

Pulse chargers

The modern type of devices, which are based on a semiconductor processing circuit of the incoming current. The microcontroller installed in the case allows you to precisely control the output current and change its power with an accuracy of up to 0.1 Ampere, which is important when “resuscitating” completely discharged batteries.

Virtues

• Compact and miniature;

• Convenient and easy to operate;

• Wide range of adjustment of the output current;

• Suitable for the most advanced batteries;

disadvantages

• Expensive;

By the principle of operation, all devices of this class are divided into two categories:

1. Chargers - traditional chargers, allowing to generate current of the same frequency and power. Designed for slow and monotonous replenishment of battery capacity. The disadvantage is often a long charge, which can take 10-12 hours;

2. Start-charging devices in this plan look much better. They allow not only to generate a uniform current to charge the battery, but also to give out a short high-frequency pulse, which allows the car to start even in the most adverse conditions. The disadvantage of such a device can be called the relative high cost.

Charger selection options

Selecting the appropriate type of device in accordance with the battery installed on the vehicle, it is necessary to pay attention to its key features that have the most direct impact on the operation.

Battery charging principle

1. DC voltage, alternating current. A common scheme in which the current supplied by the charger adjusts to the degree of charge, decreasing to the minimum values ​​by the end of charging. This principle is good because the battery practically does not lose capacity over time;

2. Direct current, alternating voltage. Quite an intensive way, which is characterized by fast charging, but can lead to a rapid aging of the battery. For some models of batteries, this method is the only possible.

3. Combined type. The device is equipped with a microcontroller, which allows you to change both the voltage and the strength of the current supplied during the charging process, adjusting to the state of the battery and choosing an algorithm suitable for charging.

The presence of regulatory equipment

An important criterion that makes it possible to fine-tune the current supplied to the battery terminals. It can be presented in the form of an induction ammeter with a regulating knob, changing its position changes the position of the device arrow. The most advanced are digital devices that regulate the supplied current with an accuracy of up to 0.1 Ampere. The maximum current that is delivered should range from 8 to 15 amperes, allowing you to work with a variety of batteries, regardless of the voltage and current they generate.

The adjustment of the output voltage is also useful. Versatile are the models that give the ability to set the voltage in the range from 6 to 24 volts - just such a current is required in order to be able to charge all modern batteries without exception.

Desulfation Mode

Under specific operating conditions, as well as with long-term idle time, sulphates may form on the battery plates, which lead to a significant, up to 60-70 percent, decrease in the battery capacity. This mode makes it possible to neutralize the resulting sulphates, as well as at the initial stage charging with microcurrents, capable of restoring the capacity of the battery.

Test equipment

A special microcontroller, when connected to the battery terminals, measures the residual capacity of the battery, the output voltage and current, and the density of the electrolyte, thus making it possible to assess the general condition of the battery and take appropriate measures for its "reanimation."

Features of the choice of charger for car battery

Given the numerous features of modern models of batteries, as well as a large number of electronic components that are energy consumers in modern cars, the choice of a charger should be given special attention. Save on the device is not worth it, give the choice is better in favor of the device, which:

1. It can not only charge the battery, but also generate a short-term impulse to start the car;

2. It has a range of output voltage from 6 to 24 volts and a current of 0 to 15 amperes;

3. Equipped with a microcontroller that provides a flexible setting of the output current depending on the technical characteristics of a particular battery;

4. It has a battery condition tester, which allows for a primary diagnosis;

5. Equipped with desulfation regime;

 

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Attention! This material is the subjective opinion of the authors of the project and is not a guide to purchase.