Detailed Guide into the Functions and Types of Automatic Car Battery Charger
Introduction to Automatic Car Battery Charger
In earlier times, the only means to charging your auto battery is through using a cable and connecting it into the car battery. Then, you need to press a designated button to signal the start of the charging for the vehicle. It is your responsibility to constantly monitor the dial to check if the battery is fully charged such that you can switch it off at the right time and avoid overcharging.
Those days are gone. The advent of the automatic car battery charger technology has made this process simpler, more efficient and more convenient to the car owner. It is just one of several charging techniques available for modern auto users to ensure that their car batteries perform efficiently.
Aside from the convenience offered during the actual charging process, there are far more benefits to using automatic battery chargers. The most notable benefit would have to be the ability to extend the life of your car battery. Hence, you can save money in the long run from not having to regularly purchase replacement for your car batteries. But for first time car owners, you need to take time and carefully choose the charger you use. Using the wrong charger could end up ruining your battery, something of which you must avoid at all times.
Choosing Chargers Based on Type of Battery
The use of an automatic car battery charger is also dependent on another factor: the type of battery used. To reiterate the information given above, you need to use the right kind of charger suited for the battery used on your vehicle. You must therefore begin to narrow down your options by first educating yourself about the basic types of batteries there are. Then, take the time to learn about the characteristics for each battery, as well as look into some suggestions as to the best type of automatic car battery charger suited for it.
Once you have determined the type of battery used on your vehicle, learn about its storage capacity. However, this bit of factor is not as important as identifying the type of battery you are using. Finally, determine the charging power required for your battery to ensure it meet your needs. The more power the charger have, the lesser time it takes to finish charging until the battery has reached a stable state and be ready for use.
More details on the various types of auto battery around.
Flooded Battery
This is the most notable battery type available in the market, which is also quite familiar to most drivers. It is made up of sulphuric acid electrolyte and you can also pour in distilled water into the individual cells to suffice for any water lost. This type of battery is often used for starting the car with an absorption voltage ranging from 14.2 to 14.5 volts.
When buying the best car battery charger for this type of battery, choose ones that have a float voltage from 13.2-13.5 volts.
Sealed Battery
The design for this type of battery is rather similar to the one above (flooded battery). However, the main difference is the fact that the cells are sealed, thus the name. The main reason behind the sealing is to prevent water from evaporating such that you must not refill them constantly.
Since this type of battery feature the same absorption and float voltage as the flooded battery, then you can use the same factors when you buy car battery charger for this one.
Valve Regulated Lead Acid
This type of battery also has their cells sealed but earn its distinction with the presence of valves. This is where hydrogen exits from the battery as oxygen is generated through the process of charging. Unlike flooded battery though, this is not a common type of battery.
Gel Batteries
This type of battery utilizes silica to form a gel and avoid the electrolytes from spilling. Of all the basic types of auto batteries, this is not as commonly used as most other types of batteries available for vehicles. It also takes longer to charge and require the use of a specialized type of automotive battery charger.
One general rule to consider when choosing the best automotive battery charger is to identify the type of battery. The chargers used do not have to differentiate for each battery type, though.
With the right choice, you can enjoy a host of advanced features of automatic battery chargers. An automatic car battery charger comes with an electronic push button feature that will provide you with the information you need, such as the type of battery and the charge rate. You can also view the current status of your battery charge via a display meter. You can also use the same system to diagnose battery problems detected to ensure that you can get the utmost performance and excellent charging capacity with your car batteries charger.