A car charger is a very primitive device, consisting of only a few elements and capable of performing only one function: to recharge a smartphone from the cigarette lighter while the car engine is running. However, despite the simplicity of car charging for the phone, the choice of this accessory must also be approached very responsibly. A motorist using a low-quality memory runs the risk of being without means of communication at any time - if a charging failure occurs during a long trip, this will become a real problem for the driver.

How to choose a car charger for a smartphone: the main criteria

First of all, the motorist must decide what he needs: complete car charger or USB adapter. The adapter is an adapter from the cigarette lighter to the USB cable.

The adapter has a significant drawback: it turns into a completely useless thing if the motorist has forgotten the USB cable at home. Therefore, when contacting a communication salon, the driver is recommended to take a full-fledged memory - it costs only a little more than a USB adapter in retail.

Other criteria for the selection of AZU include the following:

Output current. To charge smartphones, a current of at least 1 A, and given modern smartphones, this may not be enough, so the best option is 2 or 2.4 A per port. If you choose an AZU with a current strength of 2 A, then the motorist will be able to recharge both the smartphone and the tablet. Worry about what the smartphone is from 2 A burn, it shouldn’t: modern gadgets are equipped with special charge controllers - devices that do not pass excess current. In addition, a similar controller is installed in high-quality chargers.

Output voltage. There is such a rule: the voltage prescribed in the technical specifications of the car charger for the phone should not exceed the value indicated on the gadget's battery by more than 5%. Otherwise, the AZU will overheat and fail very soon.

Length and type of wire. Experts unanimously advise taking an AZU with a twisted wire. The likelihood that the twisted wire will break (and this can lead to fire) is extremely small. In addition, the twisted wire is adjustable in length - a very useful feature, considering how diverse the interior of modern cars is.

Wire attachment. It is worth making sure that a corrugated sheath is present at the place where the wire exits the adapter. Here is what is meant:

The corrugated sheath prevents the wire from breaking at the bends. The fastening of the wire to the plug must also be protected by it.

Number of ports. This criterion is relevant if the motorist chooses a USB adapter. Optimal number of ports - 2 : both must have a current of at least 2 A. You can consider a AZU with a 1 A port, but only if the device is old or from the category of budget ones.

In addition, we should not forget that in 2019 the vast majority of smartphones have a Type-C connector, so you can consider a charging option that has one USB-A output, the second.

It is advisable to buy adapters with a large number of ports only for those motorists who are the heads of large families or simply large families. Otherwise, the driver will senselessly overpay for the accessory, because some of the ports will be idle.

Design. The driver should pay attention to the fact that there is no metal ring around the central contact of the AZU.

Since the charging case is most often made of plastic, sooner or later the metal ring will definitely fall off the thread and remain in the cigarette lighter of the car. A stuck part can close the contacts inside the cigarette lighter, and this is fraught with a fire. In fairness, it should be noted that AZU with metal rings are now on sale very rare, although earlier a significant part of the charges had just such a design.

A useful advantage in terms of design is the presence of an LED, thanks to which the driver can be sure that the ACS is working correctly. And in the dark, finding a charger is easier than trying to connect the cable by touch.

Otherwise, with regard to design, the motorist should rely on his own opinion. He, for example, may prefer a battery charger with an LED display that informs about the degree of charge and voltage of the car's battery.

However, such an accessory will cost approximately more than a conventional adapter.

What to buy: original or Chinese copy?

Buyers of expensive gadgets, as a rule, do not spare money for the best accessories - as long as nothing threatens their new mobile device. Such clients insist that they be provided with exactly original chargers, cables and USB adapters, because they believe that universal chargers can damage the battery of the device. But are they right?

More likely no than yes. If the buyer of the iPhone XS asks to sell him the original AZU, the consultant will probably offer the company's accessory Belkin- but not by Apple. By visiting the online store of the official Apple retailer in Russia Re:Store , the buyer will find in the catalog of accessories AZU companies Deppa, MOMAX, Juicies, Anker- but again there is no Apple-made charger there.

On the website of the "apple" company, you will not be able to find the original either. In fact, this means that Apple is not engaged in the production of its own AZU. Belkin and other eminent ones, of course, produces excellent accessories, but in relation to the iPhone, this company is still a third-party manufacturer.

Anker PowerDrive 2 PD/PIQ A2229H12 (Black)

Price: from 2,590 rubles.

Stylish and compact model from Anker has an excellent set of useful features. The device has two outputs - a classic USB connector and an additional Type-C output. For ease of use at night, a blue backlight is provided - it allows you to view the AZU in the dark and at the same time will not distract the driver from driving with a bright light.

Both connectors support Power Delivery and Power IQ, which are responsible for selecting the right power for different gadgets. In addition, the AZU is equipped with a function of protection against overheating, overload and short circuit. For those who are worried about their device, and this is especially true for owners of expensive phones from Apple, Samsung and other famous manufacturers, this charger will be the best choice - you don’t have to worry that the battery will be damaged or the device will burn out due to a power surge. There is no cable included, so it is recommended to use a branded one from the smartphone manufacturer.

Anker PowerDrive 2 Elite A2212011 (Black)

Price: from 1290 rubles.

A simplified version of the previous model, which differs in the material of execution. Carbon fiber makes the case ergonomic and visually interesting. The model received backlighting of the ports, there are two of them in total, type - USB A. Both outputs support PowerIQ technologies (automatic power selection depending on the smartphone model) and VoltageBoost (speeds up the process of accumulating battery capacity). In addition, there is protection against overheating, short circuit and overload. A great option for those who are looking for not the most expensive, but stylish and safe car charger for their mobile phone.

Conclusion

A driver choosing a car charger for a gadget should not pay attention to the price of the accessory and not look for the original AZU, since in most cases they do not exist. It is much more important to look at the characteristics, as well as the level of safety, which come down not only to the build quality, but to the materials used and the presence of protective controllers. Of course, a good AZU costs decently, but at least it’s stupid to buy a car charger for 300-500 rubles for the iPhone for 100 thousand rubles.

Almost every motorist faced such a problem as the discharge of a car battery. This phenomenon leads to the inability to start the engine. Unfortunately, most drivers remember the state of the battery too late, when it is already completely discharged.

In order to remedy the situation, it is necessary to use a special charger that can restore battery performance. The presence of such a device is especially important in winter, when battery performance deteriorates significantly.

If the battery is dead, do you replace it with a new one?

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Yes, because after that it no longer holds 100%, 1 voice

No, you can always charge 0%, 0 votes

16.08.2019

The main patterns of selecting a charger depending on the battery.

Cars can be equipped with two types of batteries, and each type requires a different approach when charging.

1. The most popular battery models in passenger cars are acid (lead) devices. These current sources require constant systematic recharging.
2. Less common are alkaline batteries, which are made on the basis of nickel-metal hydride (Ni-Mh), lithium-ion (Li-On) and nickel-cadmium (Ni-Cd) plates. New alkaline batteries use a full three-time charge and discharge cycle to charge.

All chargers work on the same principle: devices lower the mains voltage, which is 220 volts, to the level of a 12-volt battery.

Types of chargers for charging batteries.

In terms of functionality, two main types of devices for charging a battery should be distinguished.

1. A charger intended only for restoring battery capacity. The device is connected to the battery using long wires, which allows charging directly on the car.
2. Chargers capable of operating in several modes:
   • restoration of battery capacity similar to chargers;
   • starting the engine with a fully discharged battery.

When connecting the charger to charge the battery, you must disconnect the power source from the on-board network.

Currently, various modifications of devices for charging car batteries are being produced. The choice of a particular model directly depends on the qualifications of the motorist.

For beginners, an automatic charger is better suited. The principle of operation of such a device is to automatically control the charging cycle. As soon as the battery capacity is restored to 100%, the device will turn itself off. In the future, automation will turn on the device to maintain a full charge of the battery. The five-stage charger independently performs the following actions:

Chargers, which are based on 5 basic stages of charging a car battery, work as follows:

• charges up to the 80% mark;
• produces 100% step-down charge;
• carries out preventive maintenance of the charge level within 95-100%;
• eliminates such a defect in the battery as sulfation of the plates due to the pulsed mode;
• does battery diagnostics.

The device, working on the principle of eight stages, functions as follows:

• removes the consequences of the sulfation process by the charge-discharge method;
• checks the performance of the battery;
• charges the battery up to 80% capacity;
• subsequent charging with decreasing current up to 100%;
• checks the ability of the battery to hold a charge;
• eliminates electrolyte stratification at maximum battery charge;
• maintains the capacity of the battery at the upper limit of capacity;
• performs preventive charging at around 95-100%.

Multifunctional stationary converters allow you to serve all types of batteries (acid, traction, alkaline), and can also be used as uninterruptible power supplies in a 220-volt home network.

What you need to know when buying a charger?

A car enthusiast who wants to purchase a charger must answer a few questions for himself. They will narrow the range of electrical appliances and simplify the selection procedure.

1. First of all, you should familiarize yourself with the characteristics of the car battery that will be serviced. The charger must provide a current of at least 10% of the battery capacity at an output voltage of 12 volts.
2. Next, you need to determine the price range that will suit the car owner.
3. An important issue when choosing a device for charging is the operation of a car in winter. If the car rarely leaves the garage in cold weather, a simple charger is enough. If you need to travel daily, it is better to consider purchasing a more powerful charger.
4. When the question arises of how to choose a particular charger for a car, you should get acquainted with the Boost function. When you turn on this mode in frosty weather, the battery is charged within a few minutes. After that, you can start the engine of the car.
5. Which charger manufacturer should you choose? For simple battery charging, inexpensive models of domestic or Chinese production are suitable. If the device will be actively used, then it is better to purchase a charger from a well-known manufacturer.

The importance of technical parameters when choosing a charger.

When choosing a charger for a car battery, you should pay attention to the following technical parameters of the device.

• The current of the charger must be sufficient to fully restore the capacity of the battery. The maximum current is set at 10% of the full battery capacity. So, to charge a battery with a capacity of 55 amperes per hour, a current of 5.5 amperes is set on the device.
• For experienced motorists, a charger with the ability to adjust the voltage and current strength is suitable. Switches can be with a smooth change of setting or discrete. The regulator, smoothly changing the parameters of the current, allows you to accurately set the required parameters. Thanks to this option, it will be possible to most effectively restore the battery by increasing or decreasing the current strength.
• The output voltage of the charger must match the parameters of the battery and the car's on-board network. Most cars and vans have a 12 volt mains voltage. Trucks require a 24 volt charger.
• Some devices have multiple charging stages. Thanks to the combined devices, it is possible to fully restore the battery capacity. In a simple three-stage mode, this happens:
  1. DC charging;
  2. constant voltage charging;
  3. keeping the battery charged.
• The charging stand must operate over a wide temperature range. This is especially important if you have to charge the battery in an unheated garage in winter.
• Automatic control of the device will simplify the task for novice motorists. It is enough to connect the positive wire of the charger to a similar terminal on the battery, and connect the negative wire to the "-" terminal, and the charger can be turned on. Automation will independently select the battery recovery mode and turn off in time after a full charge.

Video tips for choosing a charger:

Which manufacturers of car battery chargers have proven themselves in the market?

Motorists today are offered many models of chargers. How to choose a battery charger from the whole mass of different devices?

The modern automotive market offers motorists both domestic developments and products of world leaders. Among the most popular manufacturers among Russian motorists are the following companies.

• Aiken produces a wide range of electrical appliances, including devices for charging car batteries. The cost of the charger from "Aiken" MCB12M ranges from 1900-2000 rubles. Model MCB18M is estimated at 2500-2600 rubles.
• The well-known Italian manufacturer of welding machines and chargers "Telwin" offers products of the highest quality. The simplest units (Alpine 18 Boost and Speed ​​Start 1212) can be purchased for 2500-2700 rubles. For professional use, the Computer 48/2 ProF and DYNAMIC 620 Start models are recommended for 11-13.5 thousand rubles.
• The Russian company Caliber manufactures several devices for battery maintenance. For motorists, the ZU-100 device is offered, which is available at a cost of 1700-1800 rubles and is effective in use. The modification of PZU-2.0/12.0C will be of interest to car service workers. The cost of this charger is 6.5-6.6 thousand rubles.
• Battery chargers from Latvia under the Resanta brand are equipped with a battery, so you can start the car engine away from a power source. The cost of the PU-1 model is 2300 rubles. The PU-2 device with a large input current (400 amperes), equipped with a flashlight, a USB connector and a compressor is sold at a price of 3600-3800 rubles.
• Inexpensive charging units are offered by Sorokin. The Sorokin 12.92 model has a small current (2 amperes), which will be enough to charge a battery with a capacity of 40 amperes per hour. You can buy such a device for only 970-1000 rubles.

How to make a do-it-yourself car battery charger?

You can make a simple device for charging a car battery with your own hands. This option is suitable for those motorists who know how to use a soldering iron and understand electrical circuits. To create a portable compact device, you will need the following components:

• step-down transformer with a power of 15-20 watts;
• diode bridge, consisting of 4 elements (1 ampere, 30 volts);
• capacitors;
• resistors;
• circuit breakers;
• voltmeter (0-25 volts);
• ammeter (0-10 amperes);
• switches;
• case made of plastic or metal;
• LEDs for lighting and signaling.

They must be connected according to the diagram above, and then you get a compact charger for a car battery.

Basic rules for operating the device.

Any charger requires minimal maintenance from the owner, as well as compliance with the basic rules of operation. With the right approach, both domestic and Chinese devices will work for a long time. Like any tool, the charger should have its place in the inventory in the garage or home, where dust, dirt and moisture do not penetrate.
The main recommendations for using the charger are as follows:

• before turning on the device, inspect the ventilation holes to prevent overheating of the charger;
• the current parameters in the garage network must correspond to the technical characteristics of the charger.
• before connecting the charger to the battery, it is necessary to clean the battery leads and terminals of the device;
• when connecting the charger to the battery, it is important to observe the polarity: the positive wire of the device is connected to the "+" terminal of the battery, and the negative terminal is attached to the "-" terminal;
• in the process of charging the battery, it is forbidden to disconnect the terminals of the charger from the battery terminals;
• when the charger is on, the car engine cannot be started;
• after the battery capacity is fully restored, the charger is first turned off, and then the wires are disconnected.

The top five car battery chargers.

Domestic charger without unnecessary bells and whistles. Fully automatic operation. There is a stabilization system, the charge current flows up to 5 amperes.

chargers for car batteries Pendant 106

Advantages:

• light weight;
• modest size.

Flaws:

• lack of Boost charging mode;
• lack of indicators.

Average price: 2000 rubles.

Aurora Sprint-10D.

Aurora SPRINT-10D is positioned by the manufacturer as a device capable of resuscitating deeply discharged batteries with a voltage of 1.5 volts or more. The driver only needs to set the voltage of his battery and connect the terminals to the battery terminals.

The charger has a microprocessor that controls charging, monitors the main parameters and provides protection against overcurrent. The output voltage can be set to 12 or 24 volts. The charging current takes a value from 2 to 6 amperes. The mass of the device is about 1.5 kilograms.

chargers for car batteries Aurora Sprint-10D

Advantages:

• multifunction device;
• the ability to adjust charging settings;
• the presence of a microprocessor.

Flaws:

• not small at all.

When connected, Inelco Kee Power Medium performs a battery test and starts charging.

According to the manufacturer, desulfation is carried out simultaneously with charging. The charger has many additional modes, including accelerated charging in Boost mode. There is also a recovery mode for the battery after a deep discharge. There are all necessary types of protection.

The Inelco Kee Power Medium portable car charger can be connected to the car cigarette lighter and charge the battery without removing it from the car.

car battery chargers Inelco KeePower Medium

Advantages:

• the presence of the Boost mode;
• suitable for charging large capacity batteries;
• multifunctional modes;
• decent price for its quality;
• durability.

Flaws:

• the inability to adjust the current strength.

Average price: 1500 rubles.

Which charger do you like?

How to choose the right car battery charger

It is recommended that all happy car owners have a battery charger, since the battery needs to be recharged periodically. In addition, there are often situations when the car is standing for a long time. After that, for a successful start of the motor, charging will be required. In winter, the need for a charger becomes even more urgent, as low temperatures put stress on the battery. So, if you bought a car, then you definitely need to buy a charger (charger). You will need it very soon. And we will help you choose a charger for your battery.

Even before going to the store or visiting the online store to select a charger, you should find out all the information about your battery. The type and characteristics of the car battery have a direct impact on the choice of memory.

As for the type of battery, there are mainly three of them on the market:

The second thing to pay attention to is the rated voltage of the battery. Almost all cars have 12 volt batteries. Some models and special equipment have a rating of 24 volts.

Also find out the nominal capacity of your battery. This value will also be used when choosing a charger. Now you have the type, voltage and capacity of the battery in your hands. Let's move on to choosing a battery charger.

Types of battery chargers

According to the purpose, memory can be divided into three main groups:

• chargers;
• starting-charging;
• launchers.

As it is easy to understand, charging and starting chargers are designed to charge the battery and start the engine, respectively. Starter-chargers are capable of performing both of these functions. Here you need to understand that in order to start the engine, starting and starting-charging devices require a connection to the network. There is also a separate type of starting devices with their own battery (usually lithium), which are called.

When choosing a device type, you need to think about how you will use it. If you have a car in a place where electricity is supplied, then you can take a start-charger. Then, with a dead battery, it will be possible to start the engine. If you are going to use the device only for charging, then there is no point in overpaying.

You can also highlight the types of chargers for car batteries according to their device:

• Pulse;
• Transformer.

Pulse memory have a small weight and dimensions. They include an inverter and short circuit protection. Transformer models are more bulky, since their design includes a rectifier and a transformer. Pulse memory is more modern, perfect and convenient. Despite the fact that they are more expensive than transformer ones, we recommend buying impulse models.

Main characteristics of chargers

Below we will consider the main characteristics of the memory that you should pay attention to when choosing, and give the necessary explanations.

Operating modes

To choose the right charger for your battery, at the beginning of the article we talked about finding out the type of battery. For the most common WET models, all devices are suitable, but for AGM and GEL. But advanced models must have special modes for charging. These batteries are very sensitive to overcharging voltage. If for a WET battery a voltage of 15 volts is not critical, then for gel batteries it can lead to irreversible changes. From increased voltage, the gel or fiberglass will begin to peel off the plates and the battery will lose its characteristics. In the worst case, the battery will swell and it will fail.

Pay attention to the presence of the Boost mode. It is designed to quickly charge the battery with increased current. Thanks to this mode, you can do the necessary exercises in 20 minutes and.

It is also worth noting that there are devices on sale that allow you to charge several car batteries at once with a serial or parallel connection. But this is more likely to come in handy for professional accumulators who charge the battery for a stream. For an ordinary car enthusiast, it makes no sense to overpay for such "chips".

The voltage issued by the memory

The voltage that the charger puts out must match the nominal voltage of the battery, which you should have found out before choosing. Almost all modern car battery chargers produce 12 volts. The second most popular charger with the ability to charge a battery with a nominal value of 24 volts. Less common chargers that give out a voltage of 6 volts. This mode is useful when charging appropriate batteries for motorcycles, scooters, etc. Ideally, the charger should have the ability to manually set the voltage, but such models are rare.

Charging current

In order to choose the right charger for this parameter, at the beginning of the article we found out the nominal capacity of the battery. The charging current should not exceed 10 percent of the battery capacity. That is, common 55 Ah batteries for cars need to be charged with a current of no more than 5.5 amperes. The exception is the Boost mode, which was mentioned above. But with him you need to know the measure. The current during accelerated charging should not exceed 30 percent of the standard value. For the same 55 Ah battery, this maximum current in Boost mode should not be higher than 5.5 + 5.5 * 0.3 = 7.15 amperes.

Remember that you should only charge with high current in non-standard situations when urgent accelerated charging is required. This mode cannot be used continuously, as it reduces the battery life.

In this case, it is better to choose a starter-charger for a car battery with a margin for the output current, so that it does not work at the limit of its capabilities every time.

Ideally, the charger should be able to manually adjust the current. Ceteris paribus, we advise you to choose just such memory. Then, if necessary, it will be possible to charge the battery at a low current. After all, most memory devices automatically pick up the current themselves. But for a more complete and high-quality charging, it is better to conduct it with a small current at a constant voltage. It will take longer, but much better. If the battery is charged in this mode, then its plates will be much less susceptible to sulfation. Therefore, we can say with confidence that a charger with adjustable charge current is the right choice.

Types of protection and security

When buying a charger, ask the seller what types of protection this or that model has. All modern chargers must have protection against overheating, as well as improper connection of the device terminals to the battery terminals.

Some storage companies

Let's take a quick look at some popular charger manufacturers to make your choice easier. It is difficult to unequivocally say which car battery charger is the best out of all the abundance on the market. But, considering the products of different manufacturers, you can find something optimal and make the right choice.

ZU "Caliber"

Let's start with Russian manufacturers. The domestic company Caliber produces a fairly wide range of devices for charging car batteries at a reasonable price.

An example is the ZU-100. The device will cost about 3 thousand rubles. You can charge batteries with a capacity of 20 to 100 Ah and a nominal value of 12-24 volts. You can also note the ZUI-8, which will charge the battery in a fully automatic mode. Charger Caliber ZU-700 is suitable for charging powerful batteries with a capacity of 92 to 250 Ah.

In the assortment of the Caliber company, you can also find professional models for use in service stations.

Chargers "Sorokin"

Available battery chargers are sold by Sorokin. The tool under the Sorokin brand is designed in Russia and produced at domestic and foreign enterprises. As examples, you can see the chargers below with different characteristics:

According to the manufacturer's website, all these devices can be used to charge WET, AGM, GEL batteries.

The failure of the battery is a nuisance familiar to almost any car owner. Most often this happens due to a discharge, and such a problem is quite simple to fix. You can restore the battery's performance using a special device - a charger (popularly - "charging" or "charger"). This device is very useful, and it is desirable for any car owner to have it in their arsenal. In this article, we will talk about how to choose a car battery charger and what to consider. Let's pay attention to such a variety of it as a starting-charging device (ROM).

Charger: what is it for?

The main task of both chargers (chargers) and start-charging devices is to charge the battery. Their difference lies in the fact that with the help of ROM, you can not only normalize the charge of the batteries, but also start the motor, if necessary. Chargers cannot help with starting, their function is limited only to charging the battery.

Most often, the car owner is faced with such a problem as a dead battery in the winter. Severe cold contributes to a decrease in battery charge, and also causes the oil in the power unit to thicken. As a result, when the key is turned in the ignition, the battery tries to turn the starter, but its power is not enough for this. Useless attempts to start the engine lead to the fact that the battery is completely discharged.

The reason for the insufficient charge it receives from the generator may also be the use of lighting fixtures and additional devices (for example, a heater). In this case, the generator power is not enough to provide full current, not only to charge the battery, but also to ensure the operation of all consumers. Therefore, the choice and purchase of a charger for a car battery is a matter for every car owner.

Constant driving in large cities also "exhausts" the battery. The level of charge provided by the generator is not enough in such cases, and the lack of electricity even in motion is replenished by the battery, which does not contribute to its durability.

The battery can also sit down due to the forgetfulness of the driver, this is not uncommon. Sometimes, having parked the car, a person leaves, forgetting to turn off the radio or headlights. A few hours in this case is enough for the charge to drop to zero, and then you can’t do without a charger.

Basic principles and methods of operation of the memory

All chargers for car batteries work according to the general principle: first, they lower the voltage in the supply network to a level corresponding to the battery rating, rectify the current, and then automate the charging process. Human intervention with a working charger is not required: just fix the charger terminals and plug the plug into the socket.

You can charge batteries in the following ways:

• Constant pressure. This method is characterized by a rapid start of the charging process, which gradually weakens and flows weakly at the end.
• D.C. The advantage of this method is fast charging, and the disadvantage is the accelerated "aging" of the battery, which it causes.
• Combined. This method is optimal and combines the advantages of the first two, which was taken into account by the manufacturers. Almost all modern chargers operate on this principle.

Choice of charger and its nuances

Before you go to the store, you need to familiarize yourself with the necessary parameters of the battery, as well as the on-board network. This information is provided in the instruction manual. Before you purchase a memory, you must compare the technical characteristics of the product with it.

We recommend not to chase cheapness and not to take Chinese chargers. It is better to opt for one of the domestic devices: for the most part, they are not much more expensive, and they are noticeably superior in quality to counterfeit devices. A simple Russian memory device equipped with a 5A ammeter is usually quite enough.

When choosing a charge, it is necessary that its operating current somewhat exceeds the battery capacity. Firstly, it is undesirable for the device to work at its limit, and secondly, a more powerful charger will come in handy if you need to charge a battery with a larger capacity.

It is desirable that the selected charging be automatic - this will allow you to charge the battery in a combined way. The choice of indication depends only on the preference of the car owner. Devices with light diodes are cheaper than those equipped with a control device, but their accuracy is also less - however, it is enough for motorists.

When choosing a charger, it is necessary to pay attention not only to its operating parameters, but also to compliance with safety requirements - fire and electrical. Automatic chargers for batteries meet these requirements to the full extent, in addition, they provide charging according to the combined principle, which is the most efficient.

Features of charging car batteries

The battery is considered discharged if the voltage supplied to it does not exceed 11V. Too low electrolyte density is also said:

• White color "eye" on the battery.
• Momentary voltage drop after turning on the headlights with the engine off.
• Difficult start of the power unit.

If the charger has an ammeter, then after connecting it, you must set the current strength on it. A number of sources recommend setting the indicator so that it is equal to 10% of the capacity of the battery being charged. We advise you to set the current at the rate of 5%. For example, if the battery capacity is 60A h, then we calculate the charge current indicator: 60A h x 0.05 = 3A. It should not be exceeded, since a reduced current will give a better charge. If the car owner is not in a hurry, it is quite possible to set the charge current to 2A. The initial voltage indicator should not be more than 12V - in the process of recharging, it will gradually increase.

The fact that the battery is fully charged will be indicated by an electrolyte density of 1.25 (checked by a hydrometer). The voltage at the terminals of the device in this case should be about 15V, and the value of the charging current should be in the range of 0.1 ... 0.3A.

Electrolyte density measurement with a hydrometer

You can extend the life of the battery by periodically discharging it. To do this, connect an ordinary electric light bulb to it so that it burns until the voltage drops to 10V. After that, the battery is put on charge.

Choosing a charger

In many modern car models, it is not recommended to disconnect the battery from the common circuit so as not to knock down the settings and installed programs. To recharge it right on the spot, chargers are used. But it will not work to start the motor using this device by connecting it to the general network of the vehicle. You will have to wait until the battery is charged to the required level. If you want the auxiliary device to be able to start the internal combustion engine immediately after connecting, it is better to purchase a starter-charger, selecting it according to the parameters.

Types of ROM

These devices, based on their capabilities, can be divided into the following types:

• Professional.
• Household.
• Combined.

ROM with 6-24V range

Professional start-charging devices can be connected to the batteries of cars, the operating voltage of the general network of which is 12V or 24V. With their help, you can start the engine of not only cars, but also minibuses. There are ROMs that can operate in the voltage range of 6V - 24V, and sometimes 6V - 36V.

Household starting and charging devices are designed to work in ordinary garages. Most of these devices are designed for a mains voltage of 12V, less often 6V - 12V. With the help of the latter, it is possible to start the power unit of a car or motorcycle, where the mains voltage indicator is 6V.

The combo ROM is essentially a welding inverter, the output current in which can be adjusted. Thanks to this, the device can be connected to the battery and the general network of the car. The advantage of such a device is its versatility, but for everyday use it is quite complicated.

Selecting a ROM for its intended purpose

When choosing a starting-charging device, you should first of all consider where the car is located when it is not being driven. If in a garage connected to the mains, you should purchase a stationary device. Modern devices are compact, take up little space in the room, and if necessary, they can always be quickly used.

Stationary device

If the car is parked in the open air (in a parking lot or even under the windows of a house), it is better to opt for an autonomous starting and charging device that has a built-in battery and is able to start the engine or recharge the vehicle battery without connecting to the electrical network. The disadvantage of a stand-alone ROM is that it needs special care - precisely because of the presence of its own battery.

standalone device

You should also decide which starter-charger by type to choose. It is better for owners of minibuses and other commercial vehicles to choose professional vehicles. For owners of cars, ordinary household devices are suitable. If the owner of the car is often engaged in welding work in the garage, the combined instrument will be the best choice for him.

Selection of a starting-charger according to technical characteristics

When choosing a ROM by parameters, you must consider:

• The type of battery installed in the vehicle.
• Output voltage. How to choose the type of device by voltage has already been considered, but there is one caveat. Starters and chargers themselves are durable, and if you have a 12V device, then it may well turn out that you buy a car with a 24V on-board network, and a workable ROM will be unusable in these conditions. Therefore, the best option, if funds are available, would be to purchase a device designed for operation in the output voltage range of 6V - 24V.
• The amount of current required to start the power unit. You can find it out by reading the technical characteristics of the machine, prescribed in the instruction manual. Also, the approximate value can be determined by the capacity of the battery. If it is 60 Ah, then the device must be designed for at least the same current. But it is desirable that the rating of the device exceeds the rating of the battery - firstly, so that the ROM does not work at its limit, and secondly, in case of a possible replacement of the car with a more powerful one.
• The amount of current needed to charge a battery. About what indicator you need to set for charging, it was described above, but the rating of the device must be at least 10% of the battery capacity.

Selection of a charging and starting device for equipment

Having resolved the issue with the necessary technical parameters, let's talk about how to choose a ROM for equipment.

To begin with, the device must be inspected visually. Its body part, as well as the controls located on it, must be well fixed; toggle switches, as well as switches, must function clearly.

To protect yourself from buying a low-quality product, you should check with the seller for the warranty period, ask him to present a quality certificate.

We encourage you to check out the additional features. It is desirable that the device is equipped with protection against incorrect connection, otherwise there is a risk, by accidentally mixing up the terminals when connected to a battery, to disable the entire on-board network of the car.

It is also necessary to inspect the crocodile clips and wires to ensure their integrity and quality. The fact is that a strong current flows through the cables when starting the power unit. Poor-quality conductors will simply melt, and they will have to be changed.

"Crocodiles" are made of copper, while their thickness must be at least 3 mm. Thinner clamps may burn where they contact the terminals. It is also necessary to check whether the crocodile springs are pressed well. The pressing must be strong enough, otherwise, due to poor contact, the current will drop and the clamps will burn. Note that the presence of additional options for adjusting operating parameters is a big plus, therefore, the more of them, the better.

In this material, we figured out in detail how to choose a charger for a car battery and what needs to be considered. Most importantly, both the memory and the ROM must be of high quality and correspond in their parameters to the battery and the on-board network of the vehicle. Chargers and starting devices, unlike chargers, can only be used by disconnecting the battery terminals from the general network of the car. Please read the instruction manual carefully before using the charger. The right charger, when used properly, will greatly extend the life of the battery.

A charger for a car battery, judging by the full and detailed name, we will not be able to confuse with a charger for a mobile phone. Now the only thing left is to figure out whether it is needed at all, and how to choose the right charger for a car battery.

Types of batteries for a car

Let's anticipate the reasonable question of the car owner - why charge the battery if there is a generator. Right. There is a generator. But, by connecting an additional load to the on-board network, we forget that the generator, when recharging, cannot cope, and then additional energy is taken from the battery. This leads to its gradual discharge.

And further. It happens that we forget to turn off for the night, or for the weekend, dimensions or car audio. On Monday, the car won't start. This happened to many. In this case, you will need a battery charger.

Knowing information about existing types of batteries will allow you to navigate the question of which car battery charger you should choose.

• lead battery She's acidic. Very well, these batteries are systematic recharging. It is recommended to charge them more often.
  
• Alkaline batteries- nickel - cadmium (Ni-Cd), nickel - metal hydride (Ni-Mh) and lithium - ion (Li-On). The most unfortunate of these is the first battery, as it requires a complete discharge before charging. so-called. the "memory" effect makes it very uncomfortable. The new alkaline battery requires a three-time discharge-charge cycle.
  

The general rule for all types of batteries is that the battery must be fully charged, i.e. to the "stop".

Necessary qualities of a charger for a car battery

Chargers for batteries have the same principle of operation, namely: they must lower the mains voltage to the nominal value of the battery, then rectify the voltage and automate the process of charging the battery. Those. ideally: the user should attach the charger terminals for the car battery, plug in the plug and go to rest in good faith until the morning.

Battery charging methods provided by the charger

• . The charge passes relatively quickly, which is a plus. On the downside, this method, due to the specifics of the charging process, leads to a rapid “aging” of the battery.
• . As a disadvantage of this method, the charging process is too turbulent at the beginning, and sluggish at the end.
• Combined. Those. 2 in 1. It is the most optimal, and in principle, all modern car battery chargers work according to the third method.

How to choose a car battery charger

The first thing to do before you go to buy a battery charger is to thoroughly study the Owner's Manual of your car regarding the battery and the on-board network.

Then, already in the store, proceed to study the instructions for the performance characteristics of the selected charger.

Important! With the development of the counterfeit market, especially from the side of fraternal China, still give preference to the domestic producer. The win will be obvious.

Choose a charger with a small current margin so that the charger does not work at its limit. Or the situation may change, and you need to charge a battery with a larger capacity.

Stop choosing a charger for a car battery on an automatic one that provides a combined charge. The choice of indication method is up to your taste and ... wallet. Discrete (light-emitting diodes) is less expensive, but also less accurate, although sufficient for the consumer. The instrument display is more expensive and more accurate.

Types of car battery chargers

• Charger - pre-launch. Carry out battery charging and recharging. As a plus, it is allowed to connect the charger to the battery terminals, without disconnecting from the on-board network. This is important for .
  
• Charger - starting. They work in two modes: automated charge and return max. current in starting mode. An unpleasant feature for a car owner who is far from electricians - it is recommended to be wary of connecting without removing the terminals from the battery. You can burn all the electronics in your car. Those. it is required to turn off the on-board network when recharging.