Car batteries are a type of electric battery. They are used on cars and motorcycles. Its purpose is as follows: engine start, power supply function in onboard system vehicle with the engine off. It also plays the role of a voltage stabilizer of the vehicle. The most common are 12 volt batteries. They are found on cars, mini buses, and light trucks. Batteries with a voltage of 6 volts are built into motorcycles. A 24 volt battery is installed in heavy trucks and in military equipment.
To start the engine, the battery must scroll, which is provided by the starter. It receives power from the battery. At such a moment, it uses a lot of energy, thereby discharging the battery itself. As soon as the car is started, the energy supply is transferred to the generator. The scheme is as follows, a trip by car recharges the battery.
General principles for charging a car battery
Experts recommend the use of battery charges, under conditions such as a pronounced sharp reduced current at the end of the process. In practice, several options are used, each of which has its own difficulties and is accompanied by different volumes financial costs. most accessible and simple methods charges are counted direct current at a voltage of 2.4 - 2.45 volts. This process continues until the current value remains constant for 2.5-3 hours. Under these conditions, the battery will be considered fully charged.
Meanwhile, the method of combined battery charging has received great importance among drivers. In this method, the principle of limiting the initial current until the final voltage is fully reached. Then the process continues at full voltage. For such a circuit, an increased initial current charge of up to 0.3C is acceptable. Batteries that operate in buffer mode are recommended to be charged at low voltage. First, the following must be emphasized: restore the battery to its optimal capacity, when it takes place no more than 2-3 full discharges.
How much current to charge a car battery
In many variants, the service center and auto shop offer car batteries from 55 Ah to 100 Ah, which are eager to purchase a new battery made attractive to customers, so the product is offered in a filled and charged form. The 55 Ah batteries weigh up to 15 kg, while the 60 Ah, 70 Ah and 100 Ah batteries weigh 16 kg, 18 kg and 25 kg.
A modern charger allows you to charge batteries by 90-97%. In complex designs, the organization of the charge can receive even 105% of the declared capacity. Such a result requires knowledge of battery chemistry and special equipment. After a massive increase in maintenance-free batteries, there have been serious problems with service life at the levels declared by the manufacturer.
Asymmetric current charging is the most effective way to combat sulfation and restore the lost capacity of older drives. Voltage step change method best effect at the final stage of charging the battery, when it has a capacity of 90-95%. This charging method is considered the most promising.
Many car enthusiasts are interested next questions: What current to charge a discharged car battery and what current to charge a car maintenance-free battery?
A fully discharged battery does not create short circuits, so chargers will not start charging it. To start charging, connect the charger electrodes to the battery, then connect the charged battery for 1 - 2 seconds.
Quick way to charge the battery
There are three ways fast charging battery:
- Charging with constant current. This option is used to equalize and fix the battery charge.
- Charging with constant voltage.
- Charging current and voltage. This method is used in two stages. At the first stage, the current strength is applied, the value of which is 1/10. Then, after reaching the mark of 14 volts, a constant voltage will be turned on. In the second stage, the current will decrease.
The latter method is considered more efficient. When you charge the battery in this way, gas formation does not occur.
Charging the battery for the first time
In many cases, a new battery just bought from the store needs to be recharged. Just over time, the battery that lies on the shelf loses its density and discharges. And even more so, not all sellers will constantly charge batteries, because there are more than 1000 of them in stock. Therefore, after you have purchased a battery, first of all, additionally charge the battery.
How to charge such batteries? Such a process is similar to all those that occur with used counterparts. It takes about an hour or two to charge the battery.
For experienced motorists who like to service their car on their own, the process of charging the battery does not cause any difficulties. Of course, this question is relevant specifically for beginners in the car industry: in order to properly handle the battery, it is important, first of all, to know exactly what current to charge the battery so that it lasts longer, with the best efficiency return.
What you need to know to properly charge your battery
In order to understand what current to charge a car battery with, first of all, you need to know what capacity it has and, based on this, set either the car battery charging current or voltage. It all depends on which method to choose and which charger will be used.
If, for example, the battery capacity is 60 Ah (Amp hours), the maximum current that can be supplied is 6 A (10% of the nominal battery capacity). If the capacity of the battery being charged is 75 Ah (ampere hours), the current is set to 7.5 A.
There are two known methods for charging the battery:
- constant current battery charging ;
- constant voltage method.
If the direct current method is activated by manual settings, then it will be necessary to control the charge current of the car battery every 2-3 hours. The current is set, as already mentioned, in the amount of 10 percent of the battery capacity. And then it is necessary to gradually reduce its value as the voltage indicator (U) increases. In this way, it is impossible to say for sure. This will take at least 10 hours.
The constant voltage method directly depends on how many volts the charger supplies to the battery. If you charge the car battery continuously for two days (as you know, it is at long term charging provides the best "pumping" of a deeply discharged battery) - the battery will restore its capacity as follows:
- at U 14.4 V - from 75 to 80% ;
- at U 15 V - from 85 to 90% ;
- at U 16 V - from 95 to 97% .
If the battery is charged from 20 to 24 hours, and U at the same time is 16 V and a little higher, then you can count on a full charge. To complete the charging process, you need to wait for the voltage at the battery terminals to stabilize to 14.4 V. And if the charger is equipped with an indicator, it will light up in light green, signaling that charging can be completed.
At correct installation indicators and competent control of the process, both methods are equally good and will not harm the battery. By the way, many modern chargers are equipped with controllers and can work in safe auto mode.
A quick way to recharge the battery with high currents
The method of fast recharging the battery with high currents should be mentioned separately. It is quite common among those motorists who are in a hurry all the time and do not have enough time to give their battery a full safe charge time. In order for the batteries to be charged as quickly as possible, a current of 20 amperes and more is supplied to the battery terminals in the first hours of charging, and the process itself lasts no more than 5-6 hours. However, if you charge the battery with high current often and constantly, it will quickly fail due to too intensive chemical processes inside its "cans".
If a practical question arises, how much current to charge the battery and how many amperes is it better to supply the battery in exactly emergency situations- high currents can be used when the motorist is in a hopeless situation: you need to urgently go somewhere, and the battery is dead. But you should always remember that the most optimal and safe car battery charge current should be no more than 10% of the battery capacity. And when "pumping" a deeply discharged battery with small currents - even less.
Charging a car battery with a modern charger
Of course, before you start charging your car's battery for the first time, you need not only to know what current is best to charge the battery. You also need to take care of purchasing the most suitable charger. There are many different memories. Including with the possibility of manual settings - for those who are well versed in how many volts or amperes should be set at a certain stage of charging.
For novice drivers and for those who especially do not want to go into the details of physics and electronics, there are portable and easy-to-use modern chargers for charging car batteries. In addition to manual, they have an automatic control system. A very good and compact “charger” T-1021 is offered by the Russian company Avtoelectric. It is affordable, and the quality is much higher than the Chinese counterparts that are popular in our time.
This device can charge car batteries with a capacity of 60 Ah and above. Its biggest advantage is the controller. With it, the entire charging process becomes absolutely safe. The controller will not allow high currents to flow into a partially charged battery. It will always prevent the danger of short circuits that can occur when the terminals accidentally touch each other.
To charge the battery using the T-1021, you need:
- connect plus ;
- connect minus ;
- turn on the device ;
- set the memory to the "automatic" position .
If the battery capacity is 60 Ah, the current should be set to 6 amps using the regulator. When the battery is charged, the arrow will automatically fall to zero. When trying to turn the current over high power(in case the battery is not completely discharged) the controller will not allow this.
If available enough time, and the battery is very discharged, it can be “pumped” to the full program in the same way, using automatic settings. The main thing is to initially correctly set the recommended current rate of 1 ampere. IN this case The battery will take a long time to charge, from 2 to 4 days. But a deeply discharged battery will recover almost completely. It all depends on how long he served.
Manual mode is more suitable for professionals, or for drivers with more experience. For beginners, it is better not to use it, since you need to be able to calculate the charge time and current strength.
When the battery is fully charged, the pointer will automatically drop to zero and the indicator will turn green.
In order to charge the battery yourself, it will be enough to know the basic indicators of safe current described above. It will be necessary to build on them when charging the battery. And modern chargers equipped with automatic system controls, will greatly facilitate this task for novice motorists.
In summer, a half-charged battery can also start the engine, but in winter, the battery capacity is almost half that. The grease thickens, so starting currents increase. An incompletely charged battery in winter is unlikely to be able to start the engine, unless with the help of cigarette lighter wires from a charged battery in another car. Therefore, before the onset of cold weather, the battery must be fully charged.
ContentLet's make a reservation in advance that in this article we are considering the most common type of car batteries - WET, containing an electrolyte from a solution of sulfuric acid and water.
When the car is not running and the engine is off, all electrical appliances are powered by the car's battery. However, she rechargeable battery current does not generate, but only stores in itself and gives. Restoration of reserves occurs in the process of engine operation, from an electric generator. But in order for the battery to be fully charged, a voltage of 14.5 V is required, and the generator can provide no more than 14.1 V, i.e. completely, 100%, the car’s electrical system is not able to charge the battery, and it may occur a situation where there is not enough current to start the engine. You need to check the battery charge.
How to check car battery charge
The first and easiest way is voltage test with multimeter. Switch the device to DC voltage control mode, and lean the black probe to the negative terminal, and the red probe to the positive one. The instrument readings must be compared with the following table: Car battery voltage table
| Voltage | Charge degree |
| 12,6+ | 100% |
| 12,5 | 90% |
| 12,42 | 80% |
| 12,32 | 70% |
| 12,20 | 60% |
| 12,06 | 50% |
| 11,9 | 40% |
| 11,75 | 30% |
| 11,58 | 20% |
| 11,31 | 10% |
| 10,5 | 0% |
According to the table, you can determine the degree of charge of the battery. For example, if you have a reading of 12.07 V, then the charge is 50% of the volume.
The second and slightly more complicated way is electrolyte density check. Performed this procedure only on serviceable batteries that have access to the inside. The necessary device - a hydrometer, is sold in any car shop and is not expensive. 
It is necessary to check the indicators of this table: Electrolyte density table
If, when using any of these methods, it turns out that the battery is discharged, it is necessary to charge it and this is best done using a charger.
Types of chargers for car batteries
A car battery charger is a device that can convert 220V to 12V and charge the battery. For the type of WET battery we are considering, any charger is suitable. It is only necessary to pay attention to the correspondence between the operating voltage of the battery and the voltage that the charger produces. 
The chargers for car batteries themselves are charging, starting-charging and starting. All modern devices have protection against overheating and incorrect connection of the terminals.
How to charge the battery with a charger
Before you install the battery for charging, it is advisable to clean it of dirt, wipe off acid residues from the surface of the battery. A solution of soda (one spoon per glass of water) can help with this.
Batteries are direct current sources. When connecting them, the polarity must be observed. Positive battery terminals are indicated by a "+" (plus) sign, negative - by a "-" (minus) sign. Exactly the same marking is present on the terminals of the charger. Therefore, when connected for charging, unipolar contacts are connected to each other. If the polarity is reversed for some reason, then the battery will not charge, but will be discharged. 
To prevent sparks when connecting wires, you must be guided by the following procedure: first we connect the positive terminal, then the negative, and only then turn on the charger in the network.
The electrolyte fill plugs (if any) must be unscrewed so that the pressure inside the battery does not build up and the gases that form during charging can freely escape. Charging should be carried out in a well-ventilated room, because during the charging process an accumulation of explosive vapors is formed.
The electrolyte level is checked by all means, and, if necessary, distilled water is added.
How much current to charge the battery?
The maximum allowable battery charging current is 10% of its capacity, that is, with a capacity of 60 amperes / hours, it is worth starting a current of no more than 6 amperes. The optimal current for charging the battery is considered to be from 2 to 3 A. It is impossible to recharge or overheat the battery with such a current, and, by the way, these troubles can significantly reduce the life of the battery.
The lower the charging current, the more fully the battery will be charged, but it will take longer.
How long does it take to charge a car battery?
If you use an automatic charger, it can regulate the current and charge time on its own. At a positive electrolyte temperature, the degree of battery charge increases to 50–60% of its capacity in the first hour, up to 15–20% in the second, and up to 6–8% in the third. In 4–5 hours, the battery should be charged up to 90–95% of its nominal capacity. Battery charging will be completed when the current drops to 0.2 A. Charging time also depends on the condition of the battery itself. If it is new and this is its first charge, it may take up to 25 hours.
If time is short, you can charge the battery with an eight-ampere current for three hours, and then lower the current to 6A for one hour. Thus, the battery will only be charged for 4 hours. During the forced charge of the battery, it is necessary to control the temperature of the electrolyte.
A fully discharged battery should be charged up to 15 hours, and the charge current should be 0.1 of the battery capacity. For example, with a battery capacity of 50A / h, the charge current will be 5A, but it is better to charge the battery with a current with a lower value and for a longer time.
Is it possible to charge the battery without removing the terminals?
The voltage at the terminals during battery charging can reach 16V. To avoid the possible short circuit, you should disconnect the negative terminal before charging the battery. Why minus one? Because it connects just in time to onboard network and to the body. By disconnecting the positive terminal first, you can accidentally touch the body or metal parts of the motor with a wrench. This is fraught with a short circuit.
IN winter period, at low temperatures, only a battery that is not completely discharged is charged, since the electrolyte could freeze to an ice-like state. Therefore, the battery is first transferred to a warm room, and only then charged.
Car battery life
If you follow the operating mode of the battery, avoiding a complete discharge, then a good acid battery can last up to 5 years without trouble, and in some cases even 7 years. Most often, it does not fail immediately, but only gradually loses capacity. If earlier the battery allowed up to 10 attempts to start the engine in cold weather, now it is 2-3 and so on.
The main enemy of the battery - sulfation. This is the formation of large sparingly soluble crystals of lead sulfate - sulfate on the surface of the plates and the walls of the pores of the active mass. This leads to a decrease in battery capacity.
The main causes of sulfation:
- too high electrolyte density;
- low level electrolyte;
- frequent and deep discharges of the battery;
- long-term storage in a discharged state;
- frequent high current charges.
If your battery is often draining, then the reason may not be in it at all. Check if the charge is coming from the generator, because in case of a malfunction in it, the battery does not receive enough current.
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Car batteries, regardless of their capacity, type and size, in without fail should be at least occasionally charged under conditions close to ideal. This will extend the life of the battery and save you from unpleasant surprises, especially in winter. Only you need to infect the battery correctly, otherwise one fine day the battery, for no apparent reason, will order to live a long time, not leaving even half of its service life.
- How to properly charge a car battery
- Lead battery charge current
- Battery charging technologies
- Features of DC and AC charging
How to properly charge a car battery
In principle, there are only two methods for charging a battery. The first method involves charging with a constant current, while the second is carried out at a constant voltage value at the terminals. The choice of charging method depends on the type of battery, and they can be:
- acid;
- alkaline;
- lithium-ion;
- gel;
- hybrid.
However, charging is performed from a constant current source, the output voltage of which must be higher than the rated voltage of the battery. In the case of car batteries for cars with an onboard voltage of 12 volts, the charging voltage should be 14-16 volts.
Lead battery charge current
Different chargers are used to charge batteries with lead plates, but the main task when charging a battery will be how to calculate the battery charging current and how to limit the charging current in order to prevent the plates from falling off and the electrolyte from boiling. This is what pulse chargers are used for, which do all the work automatically.
Chargers with manual adjustment parameters, in particular the charging current, require constant control process to change the characteristics of the charging current in time. Current, charge time and voltage are the main parameters that will have to be controlled when charging manually, or they will be regulated by a pulse charger. Calculating the rated charge current is quite simple. To do this, you need to know the capacity of the battery, and charging current should be one tenth of the nominal capacity of the battery.
Battery charging technologies
For a battery with a capacity of 60 A / h, the charging current will be, respectively, 6 A, and when this parameter is reached, charging can be considered completed. During charging, the voltage constantly rises and the current falls. A constant current indicator for our 6 amp battery for 2 hours will indicate that the charging was successful.
It is very important to control the current strength during charging, because after 20-26 hours of operation at too high a current, the electrolyte will boil and the battery banks will simply be short-circuited. Saving such a battery is almost impossible. A healthy battery should be charged no more than 15-17 hours, subject to optimal parameters charging.
In some cases, you can charge the battery with a small current. This is necessary in order to even out the density in each of the cans. This is especially true for maintenance-free batteries. If the density index is low and is about 1.2 - 1.3, and in different banks, then by setting a low current within 2 amperes, after a 40-hour charging cycle, the density of the electrolyte in the banks will be restored. This method charges batteries that are completely discharged. For example, after repeated attempts to start the engine in the cold season, this charging method is recommended, and you cannot miss the moment when the plates begin to sulfate. The charge current for gel batteries and the charge current for lithium-ion batteries are determined strictly in accordance with their characteristics and they are charged only with special chargers.
Features of DC and AC charging
When working with electrolyte, it should be remembered that in no case should electrolyte be added to the banks during charging. Only distilled water is used for topping up. Maintenance free batteries, which are the vast majority today, are charged by automatic pulse chargers.
The technology of charging a battery using two methods is nothing supernatural. If you charge the battery constant voltage, it is enough to set the current level to one tenth of the capacity and start the charging process. As it charges, the current will drop, when it drops completely, and this can take up to 10-15 hours, the battery has fully restored its charge.
Charging with alternating current is somewhat more complicated, but there is nothing too complicated in it either. The whole difficulty lies in monitoring the voltage at the battery terminals. In the same way as in the first case, the current strength indicator is set to 10% of the capacity, after which the charge is carried out until the voltage at the terminals rises to 14 volts. As soon as this parameter is reached, the current is halved, the battery is charged to 15 V.
After that, for the third time, the current is halved, and after the voltage at the terminals has stabilized for several hours, charging can be considered complete. Do not discharge the batteries to the limit and good luck to everyone!
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Car battery charging
In stationary conditions, the battery can be charged in two ways - with constant force current or constant voltage. For automotive acid batteries most often, a charge is used from a direct current source, the voltage of which is greater than the voltage of the battery being charged. Charge at constant current.Charge at constant current is carried out by means of a charger that includes a rheostat or other regulators (for example, thyristor, automatically maintaining the average value of the charge current) and provides a full charge of the battery. The disadvantage of this method is the abundant outgassing at the end of the charge, which is accompanied by splashing of the electrolyte. This undesirable phenomenon can be avoided by using a two-stage charge. The first stage current is usually set to 10% of the nominal (Snom) battery capacity (for example, for a 55 Ah battery, the first stage current will be 5.5 A). At the same time, a working battery “gains” up to 90% of its capacity in 4-6 hours. Then the current is reduced by 2-3 times and the process continues until the battery is fully charged. The degree of charge is determined using a hydrometer: in a fully charged battery, the density of the electrolyte, having reached a certain level, does not increase during additional hours of charge. Charge at constant voltage.Charge at constant voltage is simple, because to maintain it, no control devices are needed: the battery is connected to a power source with a constant voltage. During the charging process, the current is set “automatically”: with an increase electromotive force battery, the initial high current gradually decreases and by the end of the charge drops to almost zero. This mode eliminates rapid gas emission and allows you to charge the battery by 90-95%. For a 12-volt battery, the charge voltage is 14.4-15.0 V. equalizing charge.equalizing charge produced by currents of 3-5% Cnom to equalize the electrolyte density in various battery banks, restore the working substance of the plates, neutralize the consequences of deep battery discharges and reduce the level of possible electrode sulfation. Typically, batteries charged by 90-95% are subjected to such a charge, and they finish it 2-3 hours after establishing a constant electrolyte density. Charging with small currents is carried out to compensate for the capacity lost by the battery during self-discharge. It is produced at a constant current strength of 1.5-2.5% Sleep. Charging with small currents allows you to maintain the battery in a charged state for a long time, but at the same time accelerates the process of corrosion of the grids of the plates of positive electrodes. Therefore, only serviceable and fully charged batteries should be subjected to such a procedure, and the recharging time should not exceed 10-12 hours. Charging with asymmetric pulsed current.
Charge asymmetric impulse current
automotive acid batteries can reduce the charge time by 15-20%, slow down the sulfation of the electrodes of used batteries, activate the substance of their plates, thus slowing down the "aging" of batteries. The method of charging a battery with an asymmetric pulsed current differs from charging with a pulsed current in that in the intervals between positive charging pulses applied to the battery terminals, a negative discharge current pulse is formed in the battery electrical circuit. It is formed when the battery is discharged through a resistor, which is located in the charger. Forced charge.forced charge used to quickly restore the performance of a heavily discharged battery. The value of the charging current in this case is 70% of Snom (for example, for a battery of 55 Ah, the charge current will be 38.5 A). The boost charge time should be the shorter, the greater the charge current - for example, 90 minutes at a current of 30% Cnom, 45 minutes at a current of 50% Cnom and 30 minutes at a current of 70% Cnom. If the temperature of the electrolyte rises to 40°C, the charge must be stopped - in order to avoid damage to the active mass of the plates. Boost charging is used only in exceptional cases, as it leads to a decrease in battery life. |
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Batteries: what voltage to charge and how to do it
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Battery selection tables by car brand (dimensions, capacity, polarity)
What current and voltage to charge a car battery - instructions
To charge the battery, in addition to the charger, you also need a tester that measures voltage.
Key points in the process of charging the battery:
1. Do not exceed the charge voltage of 14.4 Volts*.
2. Control the charge voltage with a tester**.
3. If the voltage rises to 15-16 Volts and above, and there are no current and voltage adjustments in the charger, stop charging ***.
4. If there is a current regulation in the memory: set the limit max. current at the beginning of the charge, and then during the charge, reduce it (by controlling the charge voltage with a tester) ***.
5. Usually, increasing the current strength by adjusting the charger also raises the charge voltage ****
*The charge voltage of lead-acid car battery is 14.4V!
Do not exceed this voltage for two very important reasons:
- at a higher voltage, the battery starts to boil: release an explosive mixture of hydrogen and oxygen, which can explode!
- when boiling, gas bubbles destroy the coating on the battery plates - the electrolyte will become cloudy, the battery capacity will decrease and it will begin to retain charge worse. Accelerated battery aging will occur.
** In most inexpensive chargers, the charge voltage is not limited to 14.4 volts, but can reach unwanted 15-16 volts. In this case, it is necessary to control the charge voltage with a tester, and if there is no tester, then unscrew the plugs and make sure that the electrolyte does not boil. If the battery began to boil during charging, and the charge voltage cannot be lowered (there is no adjustment), then it is best to stop such a charge.
*** A high charge voltage of 15-16 Volts in a matter of hours can ruin your battery.
**** The charge current should not exceed 1/10 of the battery capacity, that is, the maximum current for a 60Ah battery is 6 Amperes, and for a 100Ah battery it is 10 Amperes.
**** If there is an adjustment of the charge current level in your charger, limit the maximum charge current. This is especially important at the initial stage of charging a heavily discharged battery. In practice, most often the charge current is not regulated, but simply its maximum is indicated on the device itself. possible current. In this case, a charger with maximum current charge is not higher than 5-6 amperes.
If your charger regulates the charge current, pay attention to the charge voltage!
In many chargers, an increase in the charge current automatically increases the charge voltage as well !!!
The most important requirement for the battery charging process is not to exceed the voltage at the terminals above 14.4-14.6 Volts.
What current to charge the car battery: 60, 70, 100 Ah
BATTERY CHARGE STATE
Batteries can be charged from any direct current source, provided that its voltage is greater than the voltage of the battery being charged. For charging, the positive terminal of the battery is connected to the positive pole of the current source, and the negative terminal of the battery is connected to the negative. During the charging process, the instantaneous value of the charging current will be determined by the following relationship: Iz \u003d (Uzu - Ub) / R, where Uzu is the charger voltage, Ub is the battery voltage, R is the total resistance of the charging circuit.
It follows from this expression that if the voltage of the charger and the battery are equal, the current in the circuit will be zero. If the source voltage is greater than the battery voltage, the charging current will be greater, the higher the voltage of the charger. When the charger voltage is less than the battery voltage, the battery will be discharged. At the same time, it is desirable that the charger designed to discharge one 12-volt battery should be able to provide a charging voltage of up to 16.0-16.5 V, otherwise, modern maintenance-free battery it will not be possible to charge fully, to a state of 100% state of charge.
The voltage of the battery during charging varies depending on the temperature of the electrolyte and the degree of its charge. Therefore, in the process of charging, it is desirable to be able to adjust the parameters of the charging process (current or voltage). The charging process can be carried out different modes depending on the voltage or current regulation systems used in the chargers.
In practice, one of the two main possibilities for implementing the process of charging batteries is used, namely, charge at a constant current or charge at a constant voltage. Both of these methods are equivalent in terms of their effect on battery longevity.
METHOD #1: DC CHARGE
In this charge mode, the current strength during the entire charge time should remain unchanged. To do this, during the charge it is necessary to change the voltage of the charger or the resistance of the circuit. Most of the manufactured rectifier devices are designed to charge batteries, powered by the mains alternating current and has either step or smooth current adjustment.
The disadvantage of this charging method is the need for regular (every 1-2 hours) monitoring and regulation of the charging current, as well as abundant gas evolution at the end of the charge.
The value of the degree of charge before the start of the charge is usually estimated by the density of the electrolyte and is calculated from the condition that a decrease in electrolyte density by 0.01 g/cm3 from the initial state (usually 1.27–1.28 g/cm3) corresponds to a decrease of 6.25% battery charge. For example, with an electrolyte density of 1.24 g/cm3, the battery state of charge can be considered equal to 100 — = 100 — 25= 75%
The average efficiency of the charging process at room temperature for serviceable batteries can be taken equal to 85-95% at a charge current of not more than 0.1C. The current utilization coefficient depends on the strength of the charging current, the state of charge of the battery and the temperature of the electrolyte. It will be the smaller, the greater the charging current, the higher the degree of charge and the lower the temperature of the electrolyte. When fully discharged batteries are charged in normal conditions(at room temperature) the charging process at the first moment goes with the maximum current utilization factor. An increase in the degree of charge and an increase in polarization leads to an increase in the total internal resistance of the battery and an increase in energy losses in heating the electrolyte, electrodes and other battery elements. In addition, at the final stage of the charge, a secondary process begins - the electrolysis of water, which is part of the electrolyte.
The gas released during the electrolysis of water creates the appearance of electrolyte boiling, which indicates the completion of the battery charging process. In order to reduce energy losses during charging, reduce battery heating and protect the electrolyte level from excessive reduction, it is recommended to reduce the charging current at the end of the charging process.
For charging at direct current, the most common is the mode, which consists of two stages. The first stage of charging is carried out at a current equal to 10% of the nominal capacity until the voltage per 12 V battery reaches 14.4 V (2.4 V per battery). Further, the charging current is halved to a value of 5% of the nominal capacity. The charge at such a current strength continues until the voltage and density of the electrolyte in the batteries are constant and for two hours. At the same time, at the end of the charge, a rapid evolution of gas is observed, leading to the boiling of the electrolyte.
Reducing the current at the end of the charge reduces the effect of overheating on subsequent performance and battery life, reduces water loss, and ensures completeness of the charge. Therefore, to charge modern maintenance-free batteries without holes for adding water, it is recommended, after reaching 15.0 V, to once again reduce the charge current by half to a value of 2.5% of the capacity, and at this current strength, continue charging until the voltage and electrolyte density are constant in batteries for two hours. In modern maintenance-free batteries, this condition occurs at a voltage of 16.3 - 16.4 V and depends on the composition of the alloy of the down conductors and the purity of the electrolyte (provided that its level is normal).
equalizing charge
Such a charge is performed at a constant current strength of less than 10% of the battery capacity (usually 3-5%) for a slightly longer time than with a conventional charge. Its goal is to provide full recovery active masses in all electrodes of all batteries. An equalizing charge neutralizes the effects of deep discharges and is recommended as a measure to eliminate the build-up of electrode sulfation caused by long-term operation Battery with a charge of less than 70%. The charge continues until the electrolyte density and voltage are constant in all batteries of the battery for three hours.
forced charge
If necessary, in a short time to restore the performance of a deeply discharged battery, apply this way. Such a charge can be produced by currents up to 70% of the nominal capacity, but for a short time. The charging time is shorter, the larger the charging current. In practice, when charging with a current of 70% of the capacity, the charge duration should not be more than 30 minutes, at 50% about 45 minutes, and at 30% about 90 minutes. In the process of forced charging, it is necessary to control the temperature of the electrolyte when it reaches 45C to interrupt the charge. It should be noted that the use of a forced charge should be an exception, since its systematic repetition for the same battery reduces its service life.
METHOD #2: CONSTANT VOLTAGE CHARGING
With this method, a constant voltage of the charger is maintained during the entire charging time. As a result, the charging current decreases during the charging process due to the increase in the internal resistance of the battery. At the first moment after switching on, the strength of the charging current is determined by the following factors: the output voltage of the power source, the state of charge of the battery and the number of batteries connected in series, as well as the temperature of the battery electrolyte. If the charger circuit does not provide special circuit solutions to limit the initial current, then with sufficient device power, the charging current at the initial moment of charging can reach 100-150% of the nominal capacity.
For healthy, but discharged batteries, such currents will not bring harmful effects. However, to ensure safety and reduce the cost of chargers, solution schemes are used that limit the amount of charging current at the beginning of the charging process to 25 - 30A.
When charging in this way, the degree of charge of the battery at the end of the charge directly depends on the amount of charging voltage that the charger provides. So, for example, at a voltage of 14.4 V after 24 hours of continuous charging, the degree of charge of the battery, which was completely discharged before the start of the charge, will be about 70 - 80%, at a voltage of 15 V - 85 - 90%, and at a voltage of 16.0 B - 95 - 97%. To fully charge a previously discharged battery during the day, the voltage of the charger is 16.3 - 16.4 V.
Despite the high currents, at the initial moment of the charging process, the total duration of the full charge of the batteries approximately corresponds to the regime at constant current. As the degree of charge increases, the voltage at the battery terminals gradually approaches the voltage of the charger, therefore, the charge current decreases. The final stage of the charge at a constant voltage occurs at a sufficiently low current strength. If the value of the charging voltage of the rectifier is lower than the value of the beginning of gas evolution, then at the end of the charge, when the current value approaches zero, gas evolution does not yet occur.
And although the degree of charge with such a charge will be no more than 80%, charging according to this method is preferable in some cases, since it provides a faster bringing of the battery to a state that allows the engine to be started. In addition, the energy reported at the initial stage of the charge is spent mainly on the basis of the charging process, that is, on the restoration of the active mass of the electrodes. At the same time, the process of gas formation in the battery is still impossible.
However, for a satisfactory (90-95%) restoration of the state of charge of modern ones after deep discharges, such chargers with a maximum charging voltage of 14.4 +/- 0.1 V are unsuitable.
During actual operation of the battery, the charge from the generator is carried out in the constant voltage mode, the value of which is determined by the voltage regulator. Vehicle manufacturers, in agreement with battery manufacturers, have set the charging voltage level provided by the regulator to be 14.1+/- 0.1V, which is lower than the intense gassing voltage.
IN summer time this value of the charging voltage allows you to maintain the degree of charge of the battery close to 100% and avoid overcharging, even at a fairly high temperature environment(30-35C). As the temperature drops, the charge efficiency at a constant regulator voltage decreases due to an increase in the internal resistance of the battery. Therefore, the car does not always fully restore its capacity, especially after a deep discharge. Therefore, in winter, the average degree of battery charge is 70 - 75%, if the voltage at its terminals is 13.9 - 14.3 V with the engine running.
During operation in the process of movement in the urban cycle, the battery is subjected to cyclic operation of alternating short-term discharges during stops (for example, at intersections when passing vehicles or pedestrians) and charges during intensive engine operation during acceleration and movement at a constant speed. The value of the polarization resistance of the battery in this mode of operation is much lower than with constant charge in station conditions. Therefore, the charge efficiency in cyclic mode at a lower voltage is comparable to the charge efficiency at the voltage of the onset of gas evolution under stationary charge conditions, that is, at a higher value.
However, in winter, low temperatures(below minus 15C), requiring a longer charge increased power to start the engine, in conditions of short runs and frequent starts, it is advisable periodically, preferably at least once a month, to assess the state of charge of the battery and, if necessary, charge from a stationary device at a positive temperature.
As unfortunate as it may be, everything has its own lifespan. It is believed that the battery has a life of about three years, after which the battery is sent to a landfill, and a new battery takes its place in the car.
However, do not rush to say goodbye to the old battery ahead of time, as there are several ways to resuscitate it. It is with them that I would like to introduce you today.
The most common and favorite methods for resuscitating batteries by most car owners include:
1. Continuous charge of the battery with low current.
2. Battery charge in distilled water.
3.
Car battery charge current
Maximum battery discharges by small currents.
Agree, the names of recovery methods give only superficial ideas about their essence. To achieve an excellent result, you need to get to know these methods of resuscitation of the battery closer.
Continuous battery charging with low current
Using this simple method, you can restore life only to a battery with a slight and not chronic sulfation of the plates.
In order to give a second life to a battery, you need to:
1. Fill the battery with distilled water slightly above the level.
2. Turn on the battery for charging with a current of normal value (0.1 battery capacity).
3. As soon as gas formation in the battery becomes noticeable, the charge should be turned off for 20-30 minutes.
4. After a break, the battery must again be connected to a current, only this time reduced by ten times in comparison with the original, i.e. 0.01 of the battery capacity.
5. Having noticed increased gas formation on the plates of both polarities, it is necessary to disconnect the battery from the current and take a break for 15-20 minutes.
The fourth and fifth battery recovery steps should be repeated several times. Sometimes, in order for the battery to come to full combat readiness, it is necessary to repeat these procedures for several days in a row before starting to operate the battery at full power.
To avoid the inconvenience associated with battery operation, we recommend periodically checking the electrolyte level in the battery (the height of its layer should not be less than 5 mm above the upper edges of the plates), and if necessary, you can add distilled water. Make sure that no foreign matter gets into the battery. traces of oxidation on battery terminals and wires must be carefully removed.
Battery charge in distilled water
If the sulfation of the battery is deep, but not old, then you can try to restore the battery in the following way.
1. We discharge the battery to a voltage of 9 V.
2. Drain all the electrolyte solution and fill the battery with distilled water. We are waiting for about an hour.
3. After a pause in operation, turn on the battery for a charge. In this case, the voltage at each battery terminal must in no case exceed 11.5 V.
4. Gradually increase the charge. After the specific gravity of the solution has been increased to approximately 1.1-1.12, it is necessary to bring the charging current to a value equal to 0.1 of the battery capacity.
5. The battery should be charged in this way until a uniform gas evolution is noticeable on the plates of both polarities.
6. After that, it is necessary to discharge the battery for one and a half to two hours with a current equal to 0.2 of the discharge current, corresponding to a ten-hour battery discharge mode.
Steps 5 and 6 of battery recovery should be repeated several times. After the specific gravity of the solution does not stop increasing, the electrolyte level should be brought to normal and the battery is ready for use.
It is worth noting that this method is quite time-consuming, it can often take weeks to give the battery a second life.
Resuscitation of the battery by the method of maximum discharges with low currents
The battery recovery method, which will be discussed now, is suitable for batteries with old sulfation. Obviously, the process will be long and laborious, but worth it.
1. First of all, you need to charge the battery with a current equal to 0.2 * Q (where Q is the battery capacity).
2. After the voltage has reached 12V, the charging current should be reduced to the value calculated by the formula 0.05*Q.
3. The charge should be stopped when both the voltage and the weight of the electrolyte have reached stable values.
4. Let the battery rest for half an hour to an hour. Then again charge it with a small current until it “boils”.
This step should be repeated several times. You will understand that it is time to stop the procedure when the electrolyte starts to boil a few minutes after the start of charging.
After that, you should repeat the first stage of work, and after a couple of hours, continue to charge the battery in the indicated way. To restore battery performance, you may need to repeat the entire cycle of work up to 8 times.
Of course, restoring the battery on your own is a rather long and laborious process, but with a little effort you can significantly extend the life of the battery and save a significant amount.
autopulse.net » Helpful Hints driver
About, how to charge a car battery every car owner should know. This is necessary not only to increase the battery life, but also to ensure the safety of the entire automotive electrical system. The answer to the question of how to properly charge the battery depends on several factors, including the type of battery, its capacity, the value of current and voltage for which the battery is designed, and so on. You will learn about all this if you read this material to the end.
How to properly charge a car battery
Before moving on to practical advice and recommendations, it is necessary to dwell briefly on theoretical issues. So, for batteries, they charge one of two possible ways- using direct current and using direct voltage. Let's consider each of them separately.
DC charging
As the name implies, a regulated charger sets the charging current to 10% of the battery capacity (for example, a traditional 60 Ah car battery is charged with a constant current of 6 amps). In this case, the voltage value will change during charging.
Among the shortcomings of this method, it is noted that it is necessary to periodically (about once every one or two hours) adjust the current value, which can also change. As for old serviced batteries, gas will be released from their electrolyte, and the more charged the battery is, the more gassing will be. By the way, the intensive release of gas from the electrolyte is one of the signs of a full charge of the battery.
At the initial stage, the voltage value given out charger, will be relatively low, and will increase as you charge. At the moment when the voltage reaches the level of 14.4 Volts, it is necessary to reduce the current by half (if it was equal to 6 Amperes, then it must be reduced to 3 Amperes). The charging process must be carried out before the start of intensive gas evolution from the electrolyte. When the voltage reaches a value of 15 volts, the current value must be halved again (up to 1.5 amperes in the given example). So you need to continue until the voltage reaches a constant value, and stops rising. The second signal of the battery being fully charged will be the fact that the value of voltage and current does not change for one to two hours. How much time to charge can be calculated on a special calculator:
Constant voltage charging
Another method of charging is with the establishment of a constant voltage on the charger. This value depends on the battery type. At the moment the battery is connected to the charger, the current value will be maximum (and it will be the greater, the more the battery is discharged). As a rule, chargers have circuit solutions that forcibly limit the charging current to around 20 ... 25 Amperes. This is done to maintain the health of both the charger and the battery. As the battery charges, the voltage value at the battery terminals approaches that issued by the charger, and the current value approaches zero. This happens according to an exponential law.
The choice of constant voltage value depends on the degree of discharge of the battery. For example, at a voltage of 14.4 volts, the battery will be charged by 75 ... 85% in one day. At a voltage of 15 Volts - by 85 ... 90%, and at 16 Volts - by 95 ... 97%. In order to fully charge the battery in a day, a voltage of about 16.3 ... 16.4 Volts is needed. Please note that for many modern maintenance-free batteries there is an artificial voltage limit, for example, equal to 14.4 volts. Under such conditions, it will take more than a day to fully charge the battery.
How to charge a car battery
Regardless of the type of battery, to charge it, you must use a constant current (constant voltage) source with the ability to adjust these values. It is best to use special chargers for this, sold in automotive stores or in the markets. It is important that the charger designed to charge the battery, designed for 12 volts of constant voltage, makes it possible to increase the charge voltage to a value of 16 ... 16.5 volts. This is necessary in light of the fact that otherwise it would be impossible to charge a modern maintenance-free battery to its limit (at 100% of its capacity).
Battery (car battery)
A car battery (battery) is a source of energy for a car that is responsible for starting the engine. The main malfunctions are sulfation, terminal oxidation, short circuit. It is checked with a multimeter, and charged with direct current or voltage.
To begin with, let's consider the simplest type of battery - "antimony" (antimony is added to the composition of the plate material) and "hybrid" (antimony, calcium, sometimes silver are added to the composition of the plate material). Accordingly, a conventional charger is suitable for charging them. The charging current must be selected depending on the capacity of the battery, it must be 10% of its value (for example, a battery with a capacity of 60 Ah must be charged with a constant current of 6 Amperes). The value of the constant voltage in this case should be in the range from 13.8 to 14.5 volts. In the process of charging, the current value will drop, and this will happen according to an exponential law. This fact is also the answer to the question - how long does it take to charge the battery. Accordingly, the duration of the loading process depends on several factors:
- battery capacity;
- the degree of its discharge;
- charger power;
- general technical condition of the battery.
The higher the charging current, the faster the battery will charge. However, in this case, the probability of its discharge will also be higher. Therefore, many motorists set the current value in the region of about 2 Amperes (approximately, and depends on the capacity), and leave the battery with the charger overnight (about 6 ... 10 hours). This approach will eliminate “recharging”, which is very harmful to the battery, and will also provide better charging (in the future, the battery will retain its charge longer).
Please note that before the charging process, it is advisable to clean the battery terminals from plaque and rust (if any), even for preventive purposes. This will provide the best electrical contact. And after charging, it is desirable to process the battery terminals for this.
The charge level of the battery must be monitored regularly and the corresponding value checked at least once a month. Moreover, this does not depend on the time of the year and the ambient temperature, although it is in the cold that problems with the battery occur much more often.
Before the charging process, it is necessary to unscrew the plugs on each of the cans (for serviced batteries), and also remove the cap in order to ensure the free exit of electrolyte vapors and not create excess pressure inside the battery. After dismantling the plugs, you need to check the electrolyte level in each bank. If its level is low, it is necessary to add distilled water inside until it completely covers the battery plates.
It is undesirable to charge serviced batteries at home, since during the boiling of the electrolyte, gas harmful to the human body is released (it is explosive in high concentrations). Accordingly, it is advisable to load in a garage or in well-ventilated areas. As for maintenance-free batteries (they cannot turn off the plugs on the banks), they can be charged in the apartment, since the same gas is not released under normal charging conditions.
When to charge the battery
Before charging the battery, you need to make sure that it is really discharged. Do it in several ways:
- Terminal voltage measurement. This can be done using a DC voltmeter, in other words, an electronic multimeter or a pointer tester. For standard batteries used in most cars, standard value voltage is 12 V. In practice, it differs slightly from the nominal value. So, a value of 12.7 V tells the car owner that the battery level is 100%, and accordingly, it does not need to be charged. If the measured voltage is 12.2 V, then this indicates that the charge level is approximately 50%. And if the voltage drops to 11.6 ... 11.7 V, it means that the battery is almost completely discharged, and it needs additional charging.
- Measuring the electrolyte density value. However, this method of verification is possible only for the so-called serviced batteries, that is, in which you can get to the electrolyte containers (and add it if necessary). To measure the density, a special device is used - a hydrometer. The density value of the electrolyte should be around 1.27 g/cm³. If it is much less, then the battery should be charged with a charger. In unattended, there is a special window where 3 stages of density will be displayed.
- Engine starting problems. One of the reasons, and there are problems with starting the engine, is just the discharge of the battery. This is usually accompanied by problems in the operation of other consumers of electricity in the car - lighting, audio system operation, and so on.
In a discharged battery, sulfation occurs lead plates, which leads to a sharp decrease in the resource of its work, that is, durability.
Is it possible to charge the battery in a car
Many motorists, especially beginners, are interested in the question of whether it is possible to charge the battery without removing it from the car. It is important to separate concepts here. As for its physical removal (for example, moving it closer to the charger), charging can be carried out directly on it seat. However, when it comes to detaching automotive terminals then this is a must do! It is especially necessary to disconnect the negative terminal, although both are better. This is due to the fact that even in a situation where the engine is not running electricity from the battery still goes into the electrical system of the machine, powering the corresponding elements.
Firstly, during charging, some of the electrical energy from the battery will go into the system. This will naturally increase the loading time. Secondly, there is always a risk of a power surge or other similar troubles, which can adversely affect the condition of the elements. electrical system car. This is especially true for expensive car(business and premium class), the design of which has a lot of built-in electronics. She's just going to be at risk.
How to charge a calcium battery
Calcium batteries (also referred to as Ca-Ca) are virtually maintenance-free and relatively new devices on the market. automotive products. They have many advantages (large starting currents, significant capacity, electrolyte does not evaporate from them), but they also have disadvantages. One of them is that if they are charged incorrectly, then after 3 ... 4 deep discharge cycles, their capacity decreases significantly. Accordingly, the charging process is critically important for them.
Since calcium batteries are made using a special technology, they also have a special charging process. So, for this it is necessary to use chargers capable of delivering direct electric current with a voltage range of 16.1 ... 16.5 Volts. Accordingly, if any power supply unit produces a maximum voltage value of 14.8 Volts, and then the electronics “cuts it off”, then in this case the battery will be charged by 45 ... 50% of its capacity. If the same value is equal to 15.5 Volts, then charging will occur at 70 ... 80% of the capacity. Accordingly, you will never reach a normal 100% charge (an excellent charger for charging calcium batteries is Orion Vympel-55 with a programmable cycle).
It's interesting that electrical generators modern passenger cars are not able to deliver such a high voltage. Usually it does not exceed a value of 15 volts. Respectively, calcium accumulator cannot be charged when installed in the car. The generator simply does not allow it to discharge. However, given the harsh domestic winters, cold and difficult conditions operation can do their "dirty" deed, and discharge the calcium battery. Therefore, it must be recharged periodically (approximately once a month)! However, for this you need to have a charger with programmable modes. You need to recharge according to the following algorithm:
- Set the voltage value on the charger to 16.1 volts. The current value will be equal to 10% of the battery capacity (for example, if the battery capacity is 60 Ah, then the current value will be 6 Amperes).
- In this mode, you need to charge the battery until the moment when the value of the charging current drops to 0.5 Amperes. This may take several minutes or several hours, it all depends on the discharge of the battery, its capacity and general technical condition.
- Set two modes. Upper - voltage value 16.1 Volts and 3 Amps. Lower - 13.2 Volts and 0 Amperes.
- Arrange the so-called "swing". Their meaning lies in the fact that at a current of 3 Amperes, the voltage value gradually increases to a value of 16.1 Volts. When this value is reached, the current disappears (equal to zero), and the voltage drops smoothly to a value of 13.2 Volts. Further, the current is again set equal to 3 Amperes and the voltage rises again to 16.1 Volts. Then everything repeats.
- As the battery charges, the time intervals for switching modes will decrease. Initially, the process of voltage increase will be several tens of minutes, and the decrease time will be very fast. However, over time, the opposite will happen. That is, a voltage drop to 13.2 Volts will stretch for minutes, and an increase to 16.1 Volts will be less than one minute. This situation indicates that the calcium battery is fully charged.
How to charge a gel battery
Gel batteries are another type of modern batteries that have advantages over traditional ones. acid batteries(they have the designation GEL). Basically, they are used as a power supply for the multimedia system of cars and batteries for scooters, motorcycles, ATVs. They can also be used in uninterruptible power supplies (UPS) for computers, gas boilers and other household appliances. The advantages of gel batteries include:
- high current output, even in low charge mode (about 20 ... 30% of the nominal value);
- a large number of recharge cycles (up to one thousand or even more, depending on specific model and operating conditions);
- minimum self-discharge current (this allows for a long time keep the battery in a charged state, even in unfavorable operating conditions for it, it can lose only about 20% of the charge per year !!!);
- the gel battery can be stored fully discharged even at sub-zero ambient temperatures.
As for the disadvantages, gel batteries have only two of them:
- high price compared to traditional acid batteries with the same technical parameters;
- gel battery does not like voltage increase (overcharging), and in such conditions its capacity is significantly reduced, and the total resource of use is reduced.
Many motorists using such batteries are interested in the question of how to charge a gel battery? In fact, there are few differences from charging traditional batteries.
- For charging, a conventional charger is used with the ability to adjust the value of the current and voltage output by it.
- The current value is selected depending on the capacity of the battery. It should be 10% of it. For example, for a battery with a capacity of 60 Ah, the charging current should be 6 Amperes. In extreme cases, for example, if you need to charge the battery quickly, then it is allowed to take 30% of the capacity. That is, in our case it will be 18 amperes.
- For a gel battery, it is important not to overdo it with the voltage value, that is, you cannot set it too high. As a rule, the boundary value in this case will be 14.5 ... 15 Volts ( Additional information should be clarified by ).
- The maximum value of the allowable charging current is denoted as max initial current. The charging current must not be allowed to increase above the appropriate value.
- The charging time of the gel battery depends on the value of the charging current. To calculate it, you need to divide the capacitance value by the current value. If the current was selected at a rate of 10% of the capacity, then the charging time will be the same 10 hours. If the current is lower, then the time is longer. In order to exclude the possibility of recharging (which is very harmful for a gel battery!) It is better to use special electronic chargers for this, which, in automatic mode they will select both the charging current and the time interval for this.
The reason that the battery is destroyed when the voltage is increased is that under these conditions, the gel, which acts as an electrolyte, begins to melt. And the greater the voltage, the stronger the melting. And the longer the overcharge time, the worse it is for the gel electrolyte.
If the gel battery is serviced, then it is necessary to unscrew the plugs from its cans (containers) in order not to create excess pressure inside it. The probes of the charger must be connected to the corresponding terminals on the battery (observing the polarity). Next, on the charger, you must set the appropriate values \u200b\u200bof the current and voltage. As the battery charges, the voltage in it will increase. It must not be allowed to go beyond the value cycle use. If this happened for a short time, then you need to reduce the current in order to reduce the voltage. Under such conditions, the battery can usually be fully charged in 10 to 12 hours.
Often the label indicates the value standby use, which indicates at what voltage the battery can be in standby mode. The manufacturer implies that the battery can be stored for a long time without recharging, but to maintain its performance without load, it must be periodically recharged with a small voltage. Usually this range is about 13.5 ... 13.8 Volts. Failure to comply with this requirement will lead to irreversible consequences, in particular, a rapid loss of battery capacity and its rapid failure.
The best solution for charging a gel battery would be to use special electronic chargers that will automatically control the value of the charging current and voltage, and, if necessary, limit them. In addition, these chargers select the charging mode based on the state of battery discharge, as well as external factors such as ambient temperature. On sale there are chargers specifically designed to work with gel batteries. In particular, they have the function of temperature compensation and the function of controlling the charging process by stages in automatic mode.
Please note that if a gel battery is installed on the machine, it is imperative to periodically check the performance of the generator. If it fails, the battery can fail in just a matter of hours. You can buy terminals with a relay regulator as an additional protection.
How to charge a hybrid battery
In hybrid batteries, one part of the plates is made according to the "antimony" technology, and the other - according to the "calcium" (sometimes with the addition of silver). The battery is low maintenance, but there are still plugs on it. Accordingly, it is necessary to check the electrolyte level every two to three months, and, if necessary, add distilled water to it. Of the advantages, it is worth noting its resistance to deep discharge and the ability to deliver high starting current. As for the price, it is acceptable, and approximately two times less than that of calcium.
As for the charging process, it is standard and not difficult. So, it is necessary to charge with a current, the value of which is 10 ... 30% of the capacitance value. As mentioned above for 60 Ah, the current should be 6 Amps (if you need to charge faster, you can increase it to 18 Amps). It will be optimal to set the current value to 2 amperes. The voltage value will be in the range of 13.8 ... 14.2 Volts. The signal for the end of charging will be a voltage value of 14.2 Volts, and a current value of 0.3 ... 0.5 Amperes.
It is impossible to set high charging currents, otherwise the electrolyte will boil, which is extremely harmful for the battery plates, they heat up, and the active mass can fall off them.
A feature of hybrid batteries is that in the summer they need to regularly check the electrolyte level. This is due to the fact that, unlike their old "brothers", such a battery gives out more operating voltage. And if in winter it only helps to start the engine without problems, then in summer it turns into free energy. This is fraught with the fact that the electrolyte may boil and begin to evaporate, and the acid concentration increases. Because of this, the plates are heated and exposed, thereby damaging. Therefore, in summer, in addition to recharging, it is necessary to control the electrolyte level in the hybrid battery banks.
How to charge an AGM battery
New batteries made using AGM technology are often confused by many motorists with gel batteries (denoted as GEL). In fact, these are two different types battery. One of the advantages of such batteries is large starting currents (up to 500 ... 900 Amperes), which allows you to start any engine without problems in cold weather. Another advantage is the accelerated loading (about three times). And it is perfectly charged from the car generator. And its service life is 3 ... 5 years longer than that of a conventional acid battery.
Regarding charging AGM batteries, then there are three options. In particular:
- Charge, accumulation, storage. The charging process can be carried out directly on the vehicle or using a charger. In this case, the voltage value will be in the range of 14.2 ... 14.8 Volts (but not more than 15.2 Volts, you need to further clarify in the instructions), the current strength will be 10 ... 30% of the capacitance value. Energy is stored after deep discharge. The voltage is similar - 14.2 ... 14.8 Volts, and the current strength - 10% of the capacity (no more!). In storage mode (for example, long-term storage in a warehouse or garage), the charging voltage value should be within 13.2 ... 13.8 Volts, and the current strength value should be 5 ... 10% of the capacitance value.
- Loading and storage. This is the most common option and is recommended by most manufacturers. For charging, the voltage value is 14.2 ... 14.8 Volts, and the current strength is 10 ... 30% of the capacity. For storage, the voltage will be 13.2 ... 13.8 Volts.
- Loading. Some manufacturers do not indicate the storage mode, but only provide information about the loading conditions. They are identical to those given above - the voltage is 14.2 ... 14.8 Volts, and the current strength is 10 ... 30% of the battery capacity.
A few words about chargers. As with gel batteries, current and voltage levels must be carefully monitored. Therefore, it is advisable to purchase in advance the electronic unit recharging, preferably with two modes. This will not only minimize the participation of the car owner in the charging process, but also ensure safe and efficient charging. If you decide to buy a mechanical charger, then you need to manually carefully monitor and adjust the current and voltage values.
How to charge a maintenance-free battery
Many modern batteries are maintenance free. This means that they cannot check the electrolyte level and the condition of the plates. In general, the process of charging maintenance-free batteries is not much different from a similar procedure with old batteries. Charging can be done with both direct current and constant voltage. The best option will use an electronic automatic charger for this, for example, with a charge indicator light (a green light indicating the end of charging). It will not only facilitate the work of the car owner, but also provide the correct current and voltage values, as well as charging time.
However, if you use a mechanical charger, then in this context, the calculation of the charging time is important. To do this, you need to calculate the degree of its discharge. The voltage value at the battery terminals, equal to 12.7 Volts, indicates a 100% battery charge. If the same value is equal to 11.7 Volts (it may be lower, but this will already be a deep discharge, which is harmful for many batteries), then it can be taken as 0%. Accordingly, for example, a voltage of 12.2 Volts will indicate a charge of 50% capacity.
The optimal charging current is 10% of the capacity. In the example above, this would be 6 amps for a 60 Ah battery. For example, if the measured voltage at the terminals is 12.2 Volts, that is, the battery is 50% discharged, then this means that we need to supply 30 Ah to fill its capacity. Therefore, 30 Ah must be divided by the current value of 6 Amperes, as a result of which we get 5 hours. Theoretically, all 30 amps can be applied to reduce the time to one hour. However, this cannot be done, as this will “kill” the battery.
It is important to understand that overcharging is harmful for any batteries. That is, for example, what will happen if you endure not 5 hours of time, as in the previous example, but 7 or 10? In this case, the level of capacity and charging will not change, but the process of boiling of the electrolyte will begin with its evaporation. And if it can be topped up in a serviced battery, then this cannot be done in an unattended battery, respectively, and such a situation cannot be allowed either! The boiled electrolyte will evaporate through the safety release valve when the critical pressure inside the battery cans is reached. However, its body will remain intact (it will not explode, as many motorists think). But a low electrolyte level will reduce the capacity of the battery and reduce its overall operating life. According to the instructions, a recharge in time of a maximum of 15 ... 30 minutes is allowed.
