Identifying the right type of battery for your device is usually a straightforward process. User manuals and manufacturer information tend to recommend a particular type and voltage. But when it comes to choosing a quality battery charger, there’s often a greater selection and a bit less direction.

Using a quality charger will ensure your batteries are being effectively conditioned and maintained. So what are the essential steps to choosing the best battery charger?

  • Firstly, pick a charger that’s intended for your battery’s chemistry i.e. lead acid, gel, AGM, etc. and make sure that the battery voltage matches that of the charger.
  • If you’re looking for a high wattage charger, remember that these shorten charge times, but there are limitations as to how fast a battery can be charged, and fast charging can cause stress.
  • If you’re looking for a lead acid charger, check that it switches to a float charge when fully saturated.
  • If you need a nickel-based charger, check that it switches to a trickle charge when full.
  • Regardless of your battery type, check that your charger has a temperature override to end charge on a faulty battery.

Here at Ivanhoe, our range of battery chargers cover 12 and 24v applications, including bench chargers with crocodile clip and 3-pin XLR connectors. Their intelligent systems work through three charging stages to ensure maximum battery efficiency and longevity.

The stages begin with a bulk charge – where the charging current is set to the maximum safety level, and charges to 80 – 90% of the battery’s full charge level.

This is then followed by an absorption charge – where the charging voltage remains constant and the current reduces due to the increase in internal resistance.

The process finishes with a float charge – where once the battery has reached optimum charge level, the charging voltage and current is significantly reduced. This helps to increase the longevity of the battery.

With this intelligent three-stage charging technique, premature battery failure is significantly reduced, as the correct levels of charge are applied at every stage of the process. This also eliminates risk of gassing often caused by overcharging in traditional single-stage charging.

With over 15 years of direct experience with battery power, our knowledgeable team is happy to assist in choosing the best battery charger for your product.

If you’d like any assistance in finding a reliable, long-lasting charger, get in touch with us today on 0845 555 5511 or message us via the contact page.