Battery chargers ABSINA

Battery chargers allow you to recharge the battery when it’s flat as well as to recondition it. They are especially useful in the wintertime as car batteries fail to charge completely in sub-zero temperatures. In these conditions, there isn’t enough charge in them to start the engine, which makes it impossible to replenish it in the usual way.

Battery chargers: 9 key facts

1. Depending on the functions performed, there are battery chargers and battery starters. The first are used only for charging batteries using a connection to an external power supply. The second kind are fitted with an accumulator and allow you to crank your engine with a dead car battery.
2. By operating principle, there are transformer and high-frequency (inverter) devices. The first are characterised by their simplicity of design, reliability, and low price. However, they are bulky and require manual configuration and supervision during operation. Inverter types do not need to be configured but are more expensive.
3. It’s important to take the on-board voltage in your vehicle into account when choosing a charging device. Most cars have a voltage of 12V, large vehicles 24V and some motorcycle models 6V. Universal multi-voltage devices are convenient and cost-efficient. They are fitted with a toggle switch and are compatible with 6V and 12V batteries. The 24V mode can be used for simultaneous charging of two 12V accumulators with the same capacity.
4. There are two possible recharging methods: either with constant voltage or constant current. The first method is completely safe but doesn’t achieve a full recharge. The second approach ensures a rapid and complete charge cycle but there is a high risk of the electrolyte overheating or even boiling. Modern combined devices feature a two-stage charging strategy that produces constant voltage first followed by constant current. This solution allows full energy restoration while avoiding the risk of overheating the electrolyte
5. Most battery chargers are mains-powered. However, some are powered by solar panels. They are connected to the terminals either directly or through the cigarette lighter socket. These are an ideal option when you don’t have access to electricity while travelling.
6. In cheap devices, you have to set a timer yourself. There is a risk of undercharging or overcharging. More expensive models are fitted with a microcontroller. It analyses a number of parameters and based on these results determines when charging has to be stopped.
7. Universal battery chargers are required for gel, calcium, and AGM batteries.
8. As a rule, the more expensive the equipment, the wider its range of options. For example, some models feature a pulse mode to repair accumulators that have been over-discharged. They can also desulfate the plates, restoring the original battery capacity. There are also devices with temperature compensation designed for operation at low ambient temperatures.
9. If you want to track real-time readings on capacity and other characteristics, you should opt for a model fitted with an LCD screen.

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