Lead acid battery charger
The selection of a suitable battery charger is the basis for a safe, fast and smooth charging process, so that you can use your lead-acid battery again quickly. In the following we will support you with tips on choosing the right charger and information on the different types of lead-acid batteries. We also explain the optimal charging behavior, which is of great importance for lead-acid batteries.
Lead-acid batteries have a wide range of applications as starter or drive batteries, in children’s toys, in emergency power/UPS systems, as electric roller shutter drives, etc. Timely recharging prevents damage and a short service life, because there is one thing lead-acid batteries definitely don’t like: deep discharge.
Which charger for which lead-acid battery?
In order to charge lead-acid batteries properly and prevent harmful deep discharge, it is important to know about your own lead-acid battery: What type of lead-acid battery do you have?
The types of lead-acid batteries differ in terms of the material composition. Secondary batteries of the types SLA (GEL batteries) and VRLA (12 volt AGM batteries, or lead-fleece batteries) are characterized e.g. due to their longer service life compared to lead-acid batteries. You can find more information about the battery types on our page on lead-acid batteries. There you will also find out which common lead-acid batteries provide the best performance and have the best price/performance ratio.
As soon as you 1) know your battery type, you are able to 2) choose the device that fits it.?
Which charger for AGM?
For example, the products Renogy 12V 20A DC to DC On-Board Battery Charger, compatible with a multitude of alternator types, the DC-DC battery charger offers correct charging for AGM, Flooded, Gel, and Lithium batteries. All products that are written as suitable for lead-fleece and VRLA batteries or for maintenance-free batteries (AGM batteries are maintenance-free; NB) are ideal for charging the corresponding batteries. (mybiosource.com)
Which charger for lead-acid battery?
To charge lead-acid batteries. For example, the products Renogy 12V 20A DC to DC On-Board Battery Charger can be considered.?
Which charger for lead gel batteries?
The DCC50S 12V 50A DC-DC On-Board Battery Charger with MPPT is ideal for lead gel batteries. All chargers that are universal and/or designed for maintenance-free batteries can be used to charge lead-gel batteries.
What is an overload?
In the event of overcharging, current continues to flow after the final charging voltage has been reached. When charging all lead-acid batteries (exception: lead-acid batteries; more on this in the next question), it is important to avoid overcharging due to the impending damage to the battery and the risk of explosion.
Overcharging leads to so-called gassing in all types of lead-acid batteries; i.e. This means that water in the form of oxyhydrogen gas rises from the electrolyte it contains. This can easily escape from an open lead-acid battery, but small amounts are reabsorbed (recombined) from a sealed lead-acid battery. If the internal pressure of the sealed battery becomes too high due to increased gassing, the oxyhydrogen escapes through a pressure relief valve. It must not come to that, since water cannot be refilled with these battery types due to the closed design. The battery dries out and is destroyed.
There is also a risk of explosion if there is increased gassing.
How do I charge a lead-acid battery correctly?
A lead-acid battery is ideally only charged outdoors or in well-ventilated rooms. Open flames or sparks should not be placed in the vicinity of the battery and charger.
With open lead-acid batteries, the oxyhydrogen that has escaped can be replaced with distilled water. A small amount of gassing is permitted here; it even helps to prevent capacity-reducing sulfation through the overturning effect.
Since this process is not possible with lead-gel and lead-fleece batteries, it is essential to pay attention to an adapted charging process with a charge controller when choosing a charger for these types of batteries. Such a method is given in devices with charging according to the IUoU characteristic/IUoUp characteristic.
Charging according to IUoU characteristic/IUoUp characteristic (electronic charging control, microprocessor control, automatic charging device)
The battery is charged with a constant current until the battery voltage has risen to the end-of-charge voltage (80% battery capacity). Then charging continues with constant voltage and decreasing current up to 100% battery capacity. When the battery is fully charged, the solar charge regulator automatically switches to trickle charge (pulsed trickle charge with the IUoUp method). The battery can remain on the charger, the charging process does not have to be monitored, the electronics prevent the battery from being overcharged.
-> This charging method is preferable for lead-gel and lead-fleece batteries.
Charging according to IU characteristic (semi-automatic)
First, the battery is charged with a constant current (limited by the charging device), the battery voltage increases up to the value of the so-called end-of-charge voltage (usually 2.3 V/cell). This corresponds to about 80% of the battery capacity. From this point on, the voltage remains constant and the charging current decreases until the battery is fully charged (100% capacity). From this point on, the battery must be disconnected manually or switched to trickle charging to prevent overcharging. An ammeter or a control lamp that indicates the end of charging is mandatory.
-> Not recommended for lead-gel and lead-fleece batteries.
Charging according to the W characteristic
The charging current is only determined by the internal resistance of the battery. The charging process must be constantly monitored to prevent overcharging. At this time, the battery monitor is very useful.
-> Not suitable for lead-gel and lead-fleece batteries.
Can lead-acid batteries be regenerated?
Lead-acid batteries can be regenerated by topping up and then charging with a tenth of the battery capacity. In contrast to lead-acid batteries, the other battery types cannot be refilled with acid. Here, either special devices are used to regenerate a battery, or you quickly discharge the battery several times and then charge it again. Again, only a tenth of the capacity should be recharged.
