Chargers FAQ's
Can my Charger be used with lead acid and gel batteries?
Possibly. Some chargers can be adjusted manually to recharge
either conventional Lead acid or sealed Gel batteries. This
is usually done by means of an output adjustment screw or
toggle switches. If your charger is not suitable the batteries
will fail prematurely. If you are in any doubt you should
contact the charger manufacturers.
Can a standard automotive charger be used
with my batteries?
If you are recharging a car or van the answer is yes. If you
want to recharge large commercial batteries you must ensure
the charger output is sufficiently high enough before charging
commences. If you are charging deep cycle or traction batteries
the answer is no. Deep cycle and traction wet lead acid batteries
require a higher charging voltage and charge current than
the average automotive charger can produce.
How long will it take my batteries to fully
recharge?
The amount of time it takes a battery to charge depends on
the type of battery and charger and on how long it took to
discharge (slow or fast). As a rule of thumb you can divide
the battery capacity by the maximum charge capacity and add
four hours. The four hours is for the so-called after-charging
time, where the battery determines how much more current it
needs to get back to a fully charged state. For example, an
empty 200 Ah battery connected to a 40A battery charger would
take about 200 divided by 40 = 5 + 4 hours to charge, 9 hours
in total. If the battery had been only 50% discharged the
calculation would be: 100 divided by 40 = 2 + 4 hours, 6 hours
in total.
When do I need to perform an equalization
charge?
Equalizing should only be performed on vented wet lead acid
bateries. How often this might occur with your battery will
vary depending on your application. You will need to monitor
your battery voltage and specific gravity to determine when
equalization is needed. For example, it is time to equalize
if the measured specific gravity values are below manufacturer's
recommended values after charging (recommended value for Trojan
Deep Cycle batteries is 1.277 +/- .007 at 80o F). Equalizing
is also required if the specific gravity value of any individual
cell varies 30 points or more. Reduced performance can also
be an indicator that equalizing is necessary. Equalization
should also be performed when individual battery voltages
in a battery pack range greater than 0.15 volts for 6 volt
batteries or 0.30 volts for 12 volt batteries. A good rule
of thumb is to perform equalize charging once every 10 cycles.
What type of charger should I buy?
An automatic charger offers the greatest convenience. Just
plug the battery into the charger and the charger does the
rest. Manual chargers, although equally effective at charging
batteries, require a greater level of attention.
What size charger should I buy?
A properly sized charger takes into account battery capacity
and the time interval between charges. In applications where
cycling is infrequent, such as weekend users, or infrequent
or seasonal usage, a charger with an output current rating
between 10 and 13% of the battery's rated 20-hour capacity
will suffice. In applications where battery recharge must
be accomplished within 8 to 10 hours, a three stage, automatic
charger, rated at 20% of the battery capacity, may be required.
For any further questions please contact
us here.
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