[Subscribe to Daily Digest] |
 | [Main General Bulletin Board | BBFAQ |
Prev by Date | Next by Date | Post Followup ]
Member Login / Signup - Members see fewer ads. - Latest Member Gallery Photos
Re: OT: trickle charger/float charger question Posted by Ari [Email]  (#2847) [Profile/Gallery]
(more from Ari) on Wed, 5 Jan 2005 10:16:18
In Reply to: OT: trickle charger/float charger question, Polo, Wed, 5 Jan 2005 09:09:40 Members do not see ads below this line. - Help Keep This Site Online - Signup |
The terms are occasionally used interchangeably, and this can cause problems.
Car batteries aren't constant voltage - when they're low on charge, the voltage drops. Fully charged batteries have a higher voltage.
The common trickle charger delivers a constant current, regardless of the battery charge. They have the advantage of being cheap. Ideally, the current from the trickle charger equals the loss due to self-discharge. If the current is higher than the self-discharge, it goes somewhere ,and that somewhere is heat. You can overcharge the battery, and that causes boil-off and other bad things to the plates.
A common float charger generally sits at a voltage. If the battery isn't fully charged, it takes more current (due to the voltage difference being greater) until it's fully charged. At that point, the voltage difference between the supply and the battery is small, so little or no current flows. Some float chargers have two modes ,where they can produce a relative lot of current for a partially discharged battery, and little as the battery charges.
The trouble is that I've seen both trickle and float used for chargers. In general, you want to find a 'smart' charger, not a constant-current charger. A smart charger, no matter what the name, will adjust its output to prevent overcharging and electrolyte boil off. Look for those features. In general, that means a slightly more expensive charger. But well worth it.
posted by 192.249....
, Wed, 5 Jan 2005 10:16:18 <-- Viewing This Message
No Site Registration is Required to Post - Site Membership is optional (Member Features List), but helps to keep the site online
for all Saabers. If the site helps you, please consider helping the site by becoming a member.
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
