CONTENT
- 1 The design and principle of operation of the battery charger
- 2 Varieties of battery chargers for a car
- 3 Advantages and disadvantages of chargers
- 4 How to choose a home car battery charger
- 5 Leading manufacturers
- 6 Popular car battery chargers
The design and principle of operation of the battery charger
Almost all car batteries are charged using pulsed or direct currents. Based on this, a calculation is made of what current strength the charging should have. Often this figure is equal to 1/10 of the battery capacity. So, for example, the full volume of a car battery is 100 A / h, respectively, the type of battery must have 10 Amperes. In this case, the battery will be charged for at least 10 hours. In this case, it is advisable to put the device overnight.
Under no circumstances should flammable objects (matches, lighter) be used nearby when the charger is connected to the battery. This will result in an explosion of the battery and injury to a nearby person.
If devices with high currents are used for charging, then they carry out sulfation during operation, which is not acceptable for every battery. Therefore, experts recommend recharging with low currents, but twice as long.
If you choose impulse chargers, they significantly reduce the level of sulfation. A desulfation mode is provided here, and it allows you to restore the performance and capacity of the battery for a car. What happens during this procedure? The serial current enters the battery electrolytes, where it performs charge-discharge according to a special algorithm.
During the charging process, the readiness of the battery should be monitored, since overcharging is unacceptable and will affect the performance. In the best case, the car owner will start the car again, after which the battery will need to be replaced with a new one. Therefore, when purchasing a charger, make sure that it has such a function as a protective shutdown at the end of the charge cycle.
Be careful: if your battery has a helium base or AGM manufacturing technology, then only individual charging mode is allowed. As a rule, three stages of charging are provided: in the first, the charge occurs with large currents, in the second its strength decreases, and at the end there is an impulse pulsation, which completes the filling process Battery.
What is the difference between transformer charging models
Let's consider the simplest type of charger. His tactics have been used for decades, and therefore are considered the most reliable and safe. The principle of operation of the transformer adapter is to receive direct electric current from the network, which is subsequently converted into the required voltage through the installed rectifier. As a result, the battery receives a charge with a current of 10-15 V.
Before direct charging, you need to set the optimal current, which is equal to 10% of the battery capacity. Accordingly, if the volume of the battery is 50 A / h, then the current strength will correspond to 5 A.
Features of impulse chargers
The impulse equipment for vehicle batteries is manufactured using improved technology. The principle of operation of the device consists in the implementation of the impact of a pulsed current on the electrolytes of the battery. In such devices, there is no wire winding installed, there are no magnetic rods. Therefore, the charger has a lightweight and ergonomic body.
The design of impulse devices is equipped individually, so here it is advisable to highlight two unchanged characteristics:
- charging with constant current and dynamic voltage;
- output of direct and alternating current;
- performing combined or mixed charging.
This type of charging system is suitable for any type of battery: both for a car, and for motorcycles and trucks.
GOOD TO KNOW!
Transformer equipment is considered heavy and difficult to transport, therefore, such charging devices have recently been used less often.
Varieties of battery chargers for a car
There are several types of adapters that differ in their principle of operation and functions. Conventionally, such devices are usually divided into devices for charging only and into devices that are capable of starting the engine after a long idle period.
The latter option will be a real salvation if the car did not leave for a long time, moreover, it will help to quickly return capacity in case you forgot to turn off the light and left the vehicle or left the music to work on night. We will also consider several devices according to the principle of operation.
Devices for charging dead batteries
Such devices are classic and often save car batteries from unexpected failure. Such devices are intended not only for the standard charging method, but are also suitable in the case of a completely dead battery. As a rule, such models have built-in overvoltage protection, which will help inexperienced users to properly charge the battery.
Automatic charger
These devices are designed for 12-volt batteries. This design is controlled by a special program, so the charger will do everything according to a strict algorithm without the risk of damaging the battery. This equipment provides for desulfation, and the built-in controller will allow you to more accurately determine the charging mode.
Starting and charging units
Allows you to activate the vehicle's engine as long as a charged battery is connected to it. Such installations are domestic, they operate on a 12 V network or less. Suitable for garage applications. There are also professional models, they operate on an electrical circuit over 12 V.
Advantages and disadvantages of chargers
Each device has its own type of operation and battery charging features. Based on this, the experts of our editorial office have identified several advantages and disadvantages of owning such a technique. Let's start with the pros.
- The devices are easy to operate.
- All household options are affordable.
- The charge takes place without human intervention.
- There is no need to use a special network, since the device converts the current required by the device.
At this stage, we have finished with merits, so it is advisable to note several disadvantages that can become decisive in choosing a device.
- Some models are not equipped with overheating and short circuit protection. Such a nuance must be taken into account if you do not know how to properly control the charge of a car battery.
- The fan of the internal mechanism quickly breaks down.
- Inconvenient structural features.
Devices for charging car batteries have individual characteristics of work, therefore, they may not be suitable for specific models of batteries. Therefore, before choosing, it is necessary to take into account all the listed qualities.
How to choose a home car battery charger
The wide range of automotive products makes vehicle owners wonder which charger to choose. The voltage can be restored only with a correctly selected electrical appliance. In order not to make mistakes, we recommend that you study the basic criteria.
According to the capacity of the rechargeable battery
Many consultants in the markets advise purchasing a charger taking into account the capacity of the battery, however, this is not always advantageous. As a rule, your battery parameters will correspond to an electrical appliance that produces a current of 7 A. This indicator is not enough for a passenger car, so it is better to make a start in choosing from options with 12-15 A.
By adjusting the charging current
The charging adjustment method can be automatic or manual. The device for the optimal control principle should be selected in accordance with the available skills. If the car owner is ready to spend several hours charging the battery and knows how to properly adjust the design, then manual adjustment will do. Automatic installation is more suitable for those who have a minimal understanding of the possibility of recharging.
By useful functions and features
Additional battery charging options certainly play a big role in the choice, however, they will not always be used. It is desirable that the device has protection against polarity reversal, short circuit and overheating. The charger, equipped with the function of erroneous start, in the case of incorrectly installed terminals, when trying to turn on the device, will automatically turn off.
If the device is equipped with thermal compensation, the sensor will be able to monitor the temperature of the surrounding space. As a result, the battery boils away minimally. However, this function is optional, but sometimes very useful.
By additional elements
Charger models from the budget price segment do not have any additional equipment. It is very convenient when the equipment has a built-in voltmeter and ammeter. With the help of these displays, the charging process is well controlled.
Also pay attention to the length and quality of the cord. A cable in a fabric winding is considered to be of better quality, since it is less susceptible to bending and cracking.
GOOD TO KNOW!
If, at the time of choosing a charge, you notice a defect in the electrical wire, do not buy such a device. It is strictly forbidden to use a device with such a malfunction.
Leading manufacturers
A huge role in the choice of an electrical appliance is played not only by technical characteristics and additional equipment, but also by the manufacturer. If you buy a little-known brand, it may turn out that the device is not subject to warranty or does not correspond to the parameters that are prescribed on the packaging. Tehno.guru editors prepared five companies whose products are of excellent quality. Especially popular are:
- Sonar;
- Stack;
- Pennant;
- Hyundai (Hyundai).
Nevertheless, it is advisable to study the operational characteristics on any model so that they are as similar as possible to the parameters of the battery and the permissible values โโof its charge.
Popular car battery chargers
Our experts recommend to beware of counterfeits and to bypass models of chargers of dubious quality and a little-known manufacturer. Usually a counterfeit product can be replaced by a non-standard design. It is also a mistake to believe that only eminent foreign brands are counterfeited: unfortunately, domestic brands also have their own "clone". For your safety, please pay attention to the models listed below first.
Charger CTEK MXS 5.0
A high-quality automatic car battery charger that fully completes the eight stages of filling the battery capacity. Such a device is great for home use.
| Voltage, V | Operating temperature range, ยฐ ะก | Parameters, mm | Cable length, m | Security class |
| 12 | -20 โ +50 | 168ร65ร38 | 1,4 | IP65 |
Charger CTEK MXS 5.0
Charger Orion PW 265
The charger, similar to the previous model, is equipped with an automatic charging type. Designed for any type of battery - both for car and for any power tool.
| Output current adjustment, A | Rated voltage, V | Operating temperature range, ยฐ ะก | Parameters, cm | Weight, kg |
| 0,4-0,6 | 12 | -10 โ +20 | 15,5ร8,5ร20 | 0,85 |
Charger Orion PW265
Battery charger VIMPEL 55
This option is more suitable for advanced users. Most often, this charger is used in professional car services and salons. At home, the design is used for starter and traction batteries. Has the ability to adjust the current strength.
| Voltage, V | Maximum charge current, A | Current regulation, A | Terminal type for connection | Display availability |
| 6,12 | 15 | 0,5-15 | crocodile | Yes |
Battery charger VIMPEL 55
Charger HYUNDAI HY 800
The compact charger is easy to carry and store on a small shelf. Such an item is useful for car batteries, as well as removable batteries from ATVs, mini-segways, snowmobiles.
| Voltage, V | Charge type | Charge current, A | Number of modes | Display availability |
| 6,12 | auto | 1,6 | 4 | yes, backlit |
Charger HYUNDAI HY 800
Models of a domestic manufacturer, as a rule, cope with their tasks no worse than imported ones, so the question of which option to choose, foreign or Russian, will be irrelevant.
Dear readers, if you still have questions on the topic of the article or have experience in using one of the types of car chargers, be sure to write about it in the comments. Our team will promptly contact you to clarify all the nuances.
