Selecting the Right Deep Cycle Battery Charger
There are several different types of batteries and battery chargers; but the two main categories are auto batteries and deep cycle batteries.
While these two batteries are very similar in construction, they differ in the way they release power.
Car batteries store and release the surge of power needed to turn over the starter and get your car running… And while running, the alternator recharges the battery so it can re-start the car later.
Deep cycle batteries are designed to release their power over a longer, more extended period of time; and they discharge more fully before accepting a recharge than regular car batteries.
The most common type of deep cycle batteries are those used for storing the energy created by solar power, those used for back up power or lighting, or batteries found in RVs, golf carts or boats.
Sometimes called “fork lift” or “traction” batteries, these deep cycle batteries are used when power is needed over an extended period of time.
And these deep cycle batteries are used because (unlike auto batteries) they have very thick, self contained plates on the interior of the battery (which is also a lot larger and heavier than a car battery) because you can get a lot of power storage into one single battery.
These larger, bulkier “fork lift” deep cycle batteries are designed to expend up to 80% of total battery capacity; but regardless of the deep cycle battery you use, you will see the best results (and longer battery life) when you recharge your battery at about a 50% discharge.
The Best Deep Cycle Battery Charger
You have multiple choices when it comes to choosing a deep cycle battery charger; and the majority of them are all “smart chargers”; which means that they are controlled by a microprocessor to monitor the charging period.
But the best deep cycle battery chargers use a “3 stage” battery charging technique. These 3 stage deep cycle battery chargers work like this…
Three Stage Deep Cycle Battery Chargers
- The bulk charge – The bulk charge is the first stage in the 3 stage process. Electrical current is sent to the battery at the maximum safe rate that the deep cycle battery will accept. The bulk charge continues until the battery voltage reaches between 80-90% capacity.Generally, this means that the voltages during bulk charging range anywhere from 10.5 volts up to 15 volts; though each individual battery may have a limit on the maximum current the battery (or its wiring) can handle.
- The absorption charge – The second stage of the 3 stage deep cycle battery charger is the absorption stage. This is where the voltage is maintained at a constant level as the current slowly tapers off since the internal resistance of the battery increases during the charging.It is at this point that the charger pumps out the maximum voltage for the deep cycle battery; generally around 14 volts to 15.5 volts.
- The float charge – This is third stage of the three stage deep cycle battery recharger, and it kicks in once the battery has a full charge.Once the battery has a full charge, the voltage is reduced by the charger to eliminate gassing and insure longer battery life. This stage is often referred to as a “maintenance” or “trickle” mode, since it is primarily designed to keep a fully charged battery from losing power or discharging; and it detects fluctuations in the deep cycle battery voltages and maintains the correct charge in the battery by sending short bursts of power to the battery when it detects power discharge.
The Best Deep Cycle Battery Chargers Use 3 Stage Charging
When looking for the best deep cycle battery chargers, stick to the chargers that use the 3 stage charging techniques. It is hand free, and insures the safety of your battery.
There are a few battery chargers that use the bulk charge method only. While these chargers are fine if you need to charge a battery quickly, there is absolutely no (or very little) voltage regulation.
Using deep cycle battery chargers without any voltage regulation is a quick invitation to deep cycle battery damage; and you have to watch these chargers like a hawk to insure that you do not overcharge your deep cycle battery.
Using a 3 stage deep cycle charger not only recharges your battery as quickly as possible; but it also prevents any damage to the battery as well without having to monitor the progress of the charge.
Some of the better 3 stage chargers are made by Schumacher Electric, Xantrex as well as Iota Engineering; and can be found at multiple places online.
Tagged: deep cycle
Got something to say? Click here to reply
