Charger for a car battery: types of devices, selection criteria for products for a battery

Every car owner is periodically faced with problems in the battery. In most cases, battery drain is the cause. A useful tool for restoring voltage is a car battery charger. In specialized stores today there is a huge assortment of various units. To choose the most suitable product, you need to study the rules for selecting a charger for the car.

Varieties of designs

There are several types of car battery chargers: devices only for charging a car, or devices that additionally start the engine, for example, in winter. Classic designs are used as a recharging product.

Many car owners ask themselves a completely logical question, why do they need a charger if a generator is running in the car. Of course, it works, but when additional load is received from the on-board system, the unit is not able to cope with all the devices, therefore, electricity is also supplied from the battery. This causes the battery to drain gradually.

In addition, there are situations when the driver forgets to turn off the acoustics or parking lights at night. Consequently, over time, the car will no longer start. Such situations happen to many. It is in such cases that a battery charger is required. Studying information about the existing types of batteries allows the owner to better navigate when choosing devices for charging.

All rechargeable batteries can be divided into several types:

1. Alkaline, which include nickel-cadmium, lithium-ion, and nickel-metal hydride products. The first batteries are considered to be the most unfortunate ones. This is due to the fact that the product must be completely discharged before connecting the charger. Alkaline constructions require a discharge / charge manipulation for three cycles.
2. Lead, which is also called acidic. These units love regular recharging. Experts advise charging them as often as possible.

Main characteristics

All chargers for car batteries are characterized by the same principle of operation: they must reduce mains voltage to the rated power of the product, then rectify the current and provide automated charging batteries. Ideal when the car owner fixes the terminals of the device to the battery in the evening, plugs the device into an outlet and goes home until the morning.

There are several ways to charge:

• D.C. The disadvantages of this method include a turbulent process at the beginning and weak at the end.
• Constant pressure. A significant advantage is the fast charging procedure. A significant disadvantage is the fact that batteries quickly deteriorate.
• Combined is a better option. Most modern chargers work in this way.

Criterias of choice

Before going to the store to buy a battery charger, you must carefully study the instructions for use of the battery and the on-board network. Thanks to this, it will be much easier to find the right unit. Experts recommend paying attention to domestically produced products. This is due to the fact that today there are many counterfeit products on the shelves.

You should buy products with an upward current reserve. This is necessary so that the unit does not function at maximum. In addition, there are situations when you need to charge a battery with a larger capacity.

It is advisable to choose automatic devices that provide combined charging. The indication method is selected at personal discretion. Models with LED backlighting are cheaper, but less accurate.

This is sufficient for normal use. Systems equipped with more accurate instruments will certainly cost more. It is important to note that today the domestic manufacturer produces fairly high-quality devices that successfully compete with European counterparts.

Features of operation

Many car enthusiasts are puzzled by the question of which battery is considered discharged. The first signal is a voltage of less than 11 V after a certain standstill of the car, for example, in the morning. In addition, a sharp drop in battery voltage after turning on the headlights also signals the need for recharging.

Experts recommend purchasing a device equipped with an ammeter. It is also advised to set the current strength at a value of 0.05 of the total capacity of the product.

So, if the battery has a capacity of 77 A / h, then the current strength should be approximately 3.85 A with a voltage of no more than 15 V. If the car owner has time, 2 amperes can also be set. Charging with reduced current will be much more effective than charging with high current.

The device is considered fully charged when the voltage at the terminals varies between 14-15 V. It is recommended to discharge the battery periodically. An ordinary lamp can be used for loading. When the indicators drop to 10 V, the unit can be put on charge.

Charging and starting systems

There are situations when it is highly undesirable to disconnect the battery from the network. For such machines, charging and starting units are produced. An important property of such structures is the ability to charge the battery without dismantling the unit from the car. With such products, you can not only recharge the battery, but also start the car engine.

Types of devices

All starting and charging devices for batteries can be conditionally divided into several types. Some of them:

• combined;
• professional;
• household.

The latter are recommended to be used exclusively in garage conditions. Often these devices are designed for operation on a 12 volt automotive network. There are units operating in the range from 6 to 12 V. With the help of such products, you can not only charge the battery, but also start the engine of a car and motorcycle with a voltage of 6 V.

Professional devices are designed to operate products with power values ​​of 12-24 V. Similar designs are used not only for passenger cars, but also for commercial ones, with a rated voltage of 24 V. There are units with a range from 6 to 24 and even from 6 to 36 V.

Most experts agree that the best option would be to buy a combined device. With it, it is more convenient to regulate the switching of the output currents required for the functioning of the on-board network and the battery. These are multifunctional devices, but their work in everyday life is rather complicated.

Appointment of units

Consider the location of the vehicle when the device is not in use. For owners with a garage with electricity, stationary appliances are suitable. Modern launchers are characterized by small dimensions, do not take up much space and, if necessary, are at hand.

If the car is in the parking lot, it is recommended to buy a stand-alone unit. Such devices are equipped with a built-in battery, which makes it possible to charge and start the motor without being connected to electrical networks. However, the product requires additional care in terms of periodic recharging of the battery. Then you need to decide on the type of charging and starting structure. If the system will be used for a passenger car, a household unit is sufficient. Professional designs are recommended for commercial vehicle owners.

Technical properties

Before purchasing a starter, there are certain factors to consider. It all depends on which battery the product will have to work with. There are many types of batteries, each of which has its own characteristics. It is necessary to clarify which unit is in the machine. If this is an acidic design, then the launcher must also be compatible with similar products.

Further, it is important to take into account the indicators of the output voltage of the unit. If the device will work exclusively with a passenger car, 12 V is sufficient. Starting devices function for quite a long time, so there is a possibility that the car will change over time, and, for example, an apparatus with a 24 V output will be required. Therefore, it is optimal to purchase a design with an operating range from 6 to 24 V.

An important factor is the current strength that the device produces to start the motor. This information can be found in the vehicle specifications.

In addition, you must also take into account the amperage of the device required to charge the battery. If the output values ​​are less than those required for the battery, this will quickly lead to system failure due to regular undercharging. In addition, it is important to consider that a certain margin is required upward.

Equipment of the product

After selecting a product for all technical characteristics, attention should be paid to the equipment of the unit. Important aspects:

• First you need to carry out a visual inspection of the product. The body of the device must be well fixed, all toggle switches and switches must be securely fastened.
• It is important to familiarize yourself with the design in detail. The more additional functions and protections a product has, the better. A person can inadvertently confuse the terminals when connecting the device to the car, and this will lead to various breakdowns of the automobile on-board network.
• All clamps and wires should also be carefully inspected. The cross-section of the conductors must be sufficient, because when the car engine is started, current flows through them. If the section is of poor quality, the elements will melt and need to be replaced.
• The clamps must be copper, at least 3 mm thick. If the products are thinner, there is a risk of burning them at the points of connection with the terminals.
• It is important that the device has additional functions for adjusting the current and voltage indicators. This also includes indicators of operating modes and sensors that display these values.

A high-quality and correctly selected battery charger will save the car owner from many problems. In addition, with its help, you can significantly extend the operating life of the battery and significantly save your budget.