A car battery sometimes needs to be recharged to keep it working. This is relevant during sudden temperature changes, increased consumption load in the on-board network (powerful audio systems, heated seats, etc.) or when using the car for short trips, when the battery does not have time to restore its volume from the standard generator.

Our review presents the best chargers available on the domestic market. The distribution of models in the rating is based on the characteristics of the devices, user reviews and the evaluative opinions of experts in the field of automotive electronics.

The best automatic chargers

The peculiarity of this category of devices is the automatic adjustment of the current, the value of which changes in accordance with the battery charge level. This method prevents the electrolyte from “boiling” and ensures a long battery life.

3 ORION PW150

Best price
Country Russia
Average price: 1225 rub.
Rating (2019): 4.5

The simplest and at the same time practical charging unit, operating in automatic mode with lead-acid batteries. This is a model that is strikingly different from its competitors in terms of rating: the ascetic appearance of the front panel contains only two indicators - no switches, no control knobs and a display notifying about the amount of charging current. There is a battery charge monitoring light and, in essence, an activity diode for the ongoing process.

As for charging, the ORION PW150 is not capable of carrying a completely discharged battery, but can only help survive for someone who is actually “death”. This is where his talents end, but simplicity still gains a bit of popularity among users. Owners of the ORION PW150 charger, leaving reviews, generally evaluate this device on the positive side. Its use is extremely simple, you don’t need to control anything - the battery can be connected to it for at least a whole week, and there is absolutely no need to worry about overcharging or damaging the battery. Many car enthusiasts have been able to use it to extend the life of their battery for another season. True, for this it was necessary to always charge the battery at sub-zero temperatures.

2 Autoelectrics T-1001AR

Prevents battery sulfation
Country Russia
Average price: 3300 rub.
Rating (2019): 4.7

The charger supports a maximum current of 9 A and can restore battery capacity up to 110 Ah for cars (12 V) or motorcycles (6 V). Reversible current saves the plates from premature destruction and promotes more efficient restoration of working capacity.

Owners, leaving reviews, rightly consider the T-1001AR to be the best charger. The device can work with gel batteries and batteries with AGM technology. Regular use prevents sulfation of the battery plates (the most common cause of battery failure) and reduces the self-discharge current. In addition to displaying the battery status on the display, using the device you can also check the functionality of the generator and relay regulator.

1 QUATTRO ELEMENTI i-Charge 10

Good technical equipment
Country: Italy
Average price: 3990 rub.
Rating (2019): 4.9

A not too compact, expensive device for automatically recharging high-end car batteries. Easily copes with the gradual “refilling” of batteries with a capacity of 100 Ah. The beginning of the charging process takes place at a nominal current value of 6.5 A. Gradually, processing the data received from the terminals about the state of the battery, the device itself selects the optimal mode for the given conditions, either increasing or decreasing the ammeter readings.

Another important factor is the presence of a warning system about a malfunction, which makes it much easier to control the work process. Owners, leaving their reviews, indicate that with the help of QUATTRO ELEMENTI i-Charge 10 they were able to extend the life of the standard battery and save themselves from problems with starting the engine in cold weather. The only thing this device lacks (according to the owners) is a forced charging system that allows you to “raise dead” batteries.

The best manual chargers

Breakdown chargers for resuscitation of dead batteries. They are distinguished by the instantaneous and stable transmission of a current of a certain strength to the terminals, which is perceived by the battery in small volumes. Gradually the battery “comes to life” and begins to accept current in full portions.

The main disadvantage of such chargers is the need for constant monitoring - from excess energy, the electrolyte in the battery begins to boil, which often leads to an explosion of the battery itself and entails damage to property and health. They cost an order of magnitude cheaper than their automatic counterparts, but for safety reasons (if there is no time to monitor the charging process), it is better to resort to purchasing an automatic device.

4 KOLNER KBCH 4

Best price
A country: Russia (manufactured in China)
Average price: 880 rub.
Rating (2019): 4.5

A fairly simple, and yet reliable starting-charger will help, if necessary, quickly start the car engine - the main thing is that there is a 220 V network or an alternating current generator nearby. Actually, this specimen does not demonstrate anything new - it meets the standard requirements for recharging 12-volt batteries, and does it quite conscientiously. Unlike many much more serious models, KOLNER KBCH 4 has an additional short circuit protection unit built into it, so incorrectly connecting the terminals will not be fatal to the battery.

The charge is indicated by visible LEDs, both at night and during the day. The only serious inconvenience of the device is the need for periodic monitoring - from excessive current saturation, the electrolyte can simply boil. However, user reviews positively evaluate the convenient case and capabilities of the device. In addition, the “starter” KOLNER has one of the most affordable prices on the market, which attracts its new owners.

3 Sonar UZP-210

Optimal combination of performance characteristics
Country Russia
Average price: 4050 rub.
Rating (2019): 4.9

A modern system with a switching voltage converter, dressed in an echo body of the 90s. The model is so practical that the first advantage can be called simple and intuitive manual control. The remaining manipulations are simply unnecessary: ​​Sonar UZP-210 does everything itself, in automatic mode. This is a clear example of a combination of two conceptually different management methods that produces excellent results. There are two charging modes - with a maximum of 12 A or 6 A for different types of batteries. Charging proceeds according to the classic scenario of the automatic method: fast recharging, leveling the current supply to the standard value, as the battery is saturated, switching to buffer mode and stabilizing the voltage at the saturation level.

Advantages:

• impressive short-term starting current (200 A for one to two seconds);
• compactness;
• automatic charging with manually adjustable parameters.

Flaws:

• not detected.

2 ZPU 135

The best transformer charger
Country Russia
Average price: 4200 rub.
Rating (2019): 4.9

The most powerful starting and charging transformer device with a manual control type, the potential of which can be enough to “breathe life” into an empty capacious battery. The maximum charging current reaches an impressive figure of 13 A, and the starting current, and even more so, is a one-time surge of 140 A (within 10-15 seconds, according to a simple estimate, it can instantly “boil” the electrolyte even in a battery with a capacity of 140 Ah (and 12 -ti, and 24 volt). Only a small number of consumers prefer to resort to using such a device at home - it has become much more widespread in the circles of auto repair shops, services and transport shops of private and public enterprises. The only drawback of the system is the lack of protection against the occurrence of a short short circuits - when securing the terminals you should be especially careful.

Advantages:

• high rated power of starting mode and normal charging;
• basic management;
• attractive price.

Flaws:

• the likelihood of short circuiting the terminals and failure of the device.

1 FUBAG COLD START 300/12

The most efficient device
Country: Germany
Average price: 6050 rub.
Rating (2019): 5.0

The leader among the starting and charging devices included in our rating was FUBAG COLD START 300/12. Despite the microprocessor automatic control of the device, it ended up in this category because of its ability to quickly reanimate a car battery and ensure reliable engine starting in harsh winter conditions and with an acute lack of time.

Owner reviews emphasize the ability to use FUBAG COLD START to restore completely “dead” batteries after deep discharge. As a result of using a charger, the prospect of the battery being sent for recycling can be postponed for at least one more calendar season, and purchasing a new power source for the car will not be necessary at all.

The best microprocessor-controlled chargers

Modern high-tech chargers, in addition to preventive recharging of batteries, make it possible to restore deeply discharged batteries of various types of design. By regulating current and voltage according to a given algorithm, these devices increase the service life of the battery, which confirms their high efficiency.

3 SMART-POWER SP-25N Professional

High quality device
Country: Philippines
Average price: 9990 rub.
Rating (2019): 4.5

One of the representatives of a small cohort of chargers that work not only with 12-volt, but also with 24-volt batteries. Despite its unsightly dimensions, this is a fairly powerful device capable of charging electrolyte batteries on an industrial scale. If you trace the purchasing trend, it becomes clear that approximately 20% of consumers buy the device for personal use, while the rest are representatives of service centers, car repair and maintenance stations. However, the high build quality and the covered operating range significantly add to the price of the SMART-POWER SP-25N Professional, due to which budget users are eliminated already at the stage of a cursory selection.

Nevertheless, established owners are satisfied with the performance of the charger. Particular attention in the reviews is paid to the moisture resistance of the case and the presence of an information display that clearly reflects the ongoing charging processes. The build quality and reliability of the components are highly rated - the device can work almost non-stop, taking short breaks only to connect to another battery. Battery recovery modes after deep discharge fully justify the cost of this equipment.

2 RedHotDot VOLTA G-260

Long service life
A country: Germany (made in Italy)
Average price: 14900 rub.
Rating (2019): 4.8

The control panel of this charger is quite simple and clear, so it is almost impossible to make a mistake when choosing a battery operating mode. The device is made of high-quality parts and has excellent assembly, which ultimately determines its professional level of technical characteristics and durability.

Users using the RedHotDot VOLTA G-260 can service more than just regular car batteries. It can charge motorcycle (6 V) batteries, as well as parallel-connected pairs of batteries (24 V) used in some luxury cars and heavy-duty vehicles. In reviews, the model is characterized positively - the owners like the complete automation of the process, security systems that are triggered in emergency situations (heating of the network, short circuit) and the presence of an operating mode for restoring the battery after a deep discharge.

1 DAEWOO DW 800

The best ratio of price and quality
Country: South Korea
Average price: 4480 rub.
Rating (2019): 5.0

One of the best microprocessor-controlled chargers. Provides diagnostics of the state of the connected battery, independently selects the current strength and the amount of supplied voltage, depending on the selected mode (smooth, express, winter and auto).

It has the most effective protection systems against short circuits, overheating of wiring and non-compliance with polarity. In reviews, owners positively evaluate the presence and information content of the LCD display, diagnostic and desulfation modes. In addition, the device can work with five different types of batteries and, when used regularly to recharge a car battery, can increase its resource. In some cases, it is known that the normal service life of the battery has been exceeded by more than two times.

How to choose a good charger

To select the ideal charger in terms of performance and durability, you should pay attention to a number of important criteria:

1. Purpose. Devices are divided into three types:

• starters, whose task is a one-time resuscitation of the battery to obtain immediate results;
• chargers designed for long-term but complete battery replenishment;
• starting-charging – a combination of the first two types of devices, serving as a universal device.

The choice directly depends on your personal preferences.

1. Charging method. This category has only two methods: auto, in which the voltage is regulated by the device as the battery charge increases, and classic (manual), requiring periodic monitoring of the process by the user.
2. Supported voltage modes. A parameter that determines the typology of rechargeable batteries. Thus, some devices are designed to charge simple 6-volt batteries found on motor vehicles, while others power powerful 24-volt or more average 12-volt batteries.
3. Availability of additional functions. Some manufacturers tend to add distinctive features to their products, be it original LEDs, battery power modes (Boost, pulse charging, etc.) or equipping the device with a storage device capable of remembering the results of charging sessions.

Almost every motorist has encountered such a problem as a discharged car battery. This phenomenon makes it impossible to start the engine. Unfortunately, most drivers remember the state of the battery too late, when it is already completely discharged.

In order to correct the situation, you need to use a special charger that can restore the battery's functionality. The presence of such a device is especially important in winter, when battery performance deteriorates significantly.

If the battery is dead, do you replace it with a new one?

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Yes, because after that he no longer holds 100%, 1 voice

No, you can always charge 0%, 0 votes

16.08.2019

Basic principles for selecting a charger depending on the battery.

Cars can be equipped with two types of batteries, and each type requires a different charging approach.

1. The most popular battery models in passenger cars are acid (lead) devices. These current sources require constant systematic recharging.
2. Less common are alkaline batteries that are made from nickel-metal hydride (Ni-Mh), lithium-ion (Li-On) and nickel-cadmium (Ni-Cd) plates. To charge new alkaline batteries, a complete three-time charge and discharge cycle is used.

All chargers work on the same principle: the devices reduce the mains voltage, which is 220 volts, to the battery level of 12 volts.

Types of chargers for charging batteries.

In terms of functionality, there are two main types of devices for charging batteries.

1. A charger designed only to restore battery capacity. The device is connected to the battery using long wires, which allows charging directly on the car.
2. Chargers capable of operating in several modes:
   • restoration of battery capacity is similar to chargers;
   • starting the engine with a completely discharged battery.

When connecting a charger to charge the battery, you must disconnect the power source from the on-board network.

Currently, various modifications of devices for charging car batteries are produced. The choice of a particular model directly depends on the qualifications of the motorist.

For beginners, an automatic charger is better. The operating principle of such a device is to automatically control the charging cycle. As soon as the battery capacity is restored to 100%, the device will turn off automatically. In the future, the automation will turn on the device to keep the battery fully charged. The five-stage charger independently performs the following actions:

Chargers based on 5 basic stages of charging a car battery work as follows:

• charges up to 80%;
• produces 100% charge with a decreasing current;
• carries out preventive maintenance of the charge level within 95-100%;
• eliminates battery defects such as plate sulfation thanks to the pulse mode;
• performs battery diagnostics.

The eight-stage device operates as follows:

• removes the effects of the sulfation process using the charge-discharge method;
• checks the performance of the battery;
• charges the battery to 80% capacity;
• subsequent charging with decreasing current up to 100%;
• checks the battery's ability to hold a charge;
• eliminates electrolyte stratification at maximum battery charge;
• maintains the battery capacity at the upper capacity limit;
• performs preventive charging at around 95-100%.

Multifunctional stationary converters allow you to service all types of batteries (acid, traction, alkaline), and can also be used as uninterruptible power supplies in a home network under a voltage of 220 volts.

What do you need to know when buying a charger?

A car enthusiast who wants to purchase a charger must answer several questions for himself. They will narrow the range of electrical appliances and simplify the selection procedure.

1. First of all, you should familiarize yourself with the characteristics of the car battery that will be serviced. The charger must produce a current of at least 10% of the battery capacity with an output voltage of 12 volts.
2. Next, you need to determine the price range that suits the car owner.
3. An important issue when choosing a charging device is the operation of the car in winter. If the car rarely leaves the garage in cold weather, it is enough to choose a simple charger. If you need to travel daily, it is better to consider purchasing a more powerful charger.
4. When the question arises of how to choose a specific charger for your car, you should get acquainted with the Boost function. When this mode is turned on in frosty weather, the battery is charged within a few minutes. After this, you can start the car engine.
5. Which charger manufacturer should you prefer? Inexpensive models of domestic or Chinese production are suitable for simple battery charging. If the device will be actively used, it is better to purchase a charger from a well-known manufacturer.

The importance of technical parameters when choosing a charger.

When choosing a charger for a car battery, you should pay attention to the following technical parameters of the device.

• The charger current must be sufficient to fully restore the battery capacity. The maximum current is set at 10% of the full battery capacity. So, to charge a battery with a capacity of 55 amperes per hour, the current on the device is set to 5.5 amperes.
• For experienced motorists, a charger with the ability to adjust voltage and current is suitable. Switches can be smoothly changing or discrete. The regulator, which smoothly changes the current parameters, allows you to accurately set the required parameters. Thanks to this option, it will be possible to most effectively restore the battery by increasing or decreasing the current.
• The output voltage of the charger must correspond to the parameters of the battery and the vehicle's on-board network. Most cars and minibuses have a mains voltage of 12 volts. Trucks require a charger with an output of 24 volts.
• Some devices have several charging stages. Thanks to combined devices, it is possible to completely restore the battery capacity. In a simple three-stage mode, the following occurs:
  1. DC charging;
  2. constant voltage charging;
  3. keeping the battery charged.
• The charging stand must operate over a wide temperature range. This is especially important if you have to charge the battery in an unheated garage in winter.
• Automatic control of the device will simplify the task for novice car enthusiasts. It is enough to connect the positive wire of the charger to a similar terminal on the battery, and connect the negative wire to the “-” terminal, and the charger can be turned on. The automation will automatically select the battery recovery mode and turn off in time after a full charge.

Video tips for choosing a charger:

Which manufacturers of chargers for car batteries have proven themselves in the market?

Motorists today are offered many models of chargers. How to choose a battery charger from all the different devices?

The modern automobile market offers car enthusiasts both domestic developments and products of world leaders. The following companies are considered among the most popular manufacturers among Russian motorists.

• The Aiken company produces a wide range of electrical devices, including devices for charging car batteries. The cost of the Aiken MCB12M charger ranges from 1900-2000 rubles. The MCB18M model is estimated at 2500-2600 rubles.
• The well-known Italian manufacturer of welding machines and chargers “Telwin” offers products of the highest quality. The simplest units (Alpine 18 Boost and Speed ​​Start 1212) can be purchased for 2500-2700 rubles. For professional use, the Computer 48/2 ProF and DYNAMIC 620 Start models are recommended for 11-13.5 thousand rubles.
• The Russian company Kalibr produces several devices for servicing batteries. For car enthusiasts, we offer the ZU-100 device, which is available at a cost of 1700-1800 rubles and is effective in use. Modification PZU-2.0/12.0С will be of interest to car service workers. The cost of this charger is 6.5-6.6 thousand rubles.
• Battery chargers from Latvia under the Resanta brand are equipped with a battery, thanks to which you can start the car engine far from a source of electricity. The cost of the PU-1 model is 2300 rubles. The PU-2 device with a large incoming current (400 amperes), equipped with a flashlight, a USB connector and a compressor is sold at a price of 3600-3800 rubles.
• Inexpensive charging units are offered by Sorokin. The Sorokin 12.92 model has a low current (2 amperes), which will be enough to charge a battery with a capacity of 40 amperes per hour. You can buy such a device for only 970-1000 rubles.

How to make a charger for a car battery with your own hands?

You can make a simple device for charging a car battery with your own hands. This option is suitable for those car enthusiasts who know how to use a soldering iron and understand electrical circuits. To create a portable compact device you will need the following components:

• step-down transformer with a power of 15-20 watts;
• diode bridge consisting of 4 elements (1 ampere, 30 volts);
• capacitors;
• resistors;
• circuit breakers;
• voltmeter (0-25 volts);
• ammeter (0-10 amperes);
• switches;
• housing made of plastic or metal;
• LEDs for lighting and signaling.

They must be connected according to the diagram above, and then you will get a compact charger for a car battery.

Basic rules for operating the device.

Any charger requires minimal care from the owner, as well as compliance with basic operating rules. With the right approach, both domestic and Chinese devices will work for a long time. Like any tool, the charger should have its place in the inventory in the garage or home, where dust, dirt and moisture do not penetrate.
Basic recommendations for using the charger are as follows:

• Before turning on the device, you should inspect the ventilation holes to prevent overheating of the charger;
• The current parameters in the garage network must correspond to the technical characteristics of the charger.
• Before connecting the charger to the battery, you need to clean the battery leads and terminals of the device;
• When connecting the charger to the battery, it is important to observe polarity: the positive wire of the device is connected to the “+” terminal of the battery, and the negative terminal is attached to the “-” terminal;
• while charging the battery, it is prohibited to disconnect the charger terminals from the battery terminals;
• Do not start the car engine when the charger is turned on;
• After the battery capacity is fully restored, the charger is first turned off and then the wires are disconnected.

Five of the best chargers for car batteries.

A domestic charger without unnecessary bells and whistles. Fully automatic operation. There is a stabilization system, the charging current flows up to 5 amperes.

chargers for car batteries Coulomb 106

Advantages:

• light weight;
• modest sizes.

Flaws:

• lack of Boost charging mode;
• lack of indicators.

Average price: 2000 rubles.

Aurora Sprint-10D.

Aurora SPRINT-10D is positioned by the manufacturer as a device capable of resuscitating deeply discharged batteries with a voltage of 1.5 volts or more. The driver only needs to set the voltage of his battery and connect the terminals to the battery terminals.

The charger has a microprocessor that controls charging, controls basic parameters and provides overcurrent protection. The output voltage can be set to 12 or 24 volts. The charging current takes a value from 2 to 6 amperes. The weight of the device is about 1.5 kilograms.

chargers for car batteries Aurora Sprint-10D

Advantages:

• multifunction device;
• ability to adjust charging settings;
• presence of a microprocessor.

Flaws:

• not small in size at all.

When connected, Inelco Kee Power Medium tests the battery and begins charging.

According to the manufacturer, desulfation is carried out simultaneously with charging. The charger has many additional modes, including accelerated charging in Boost mode. There is also a recovery mode for the battery after a deep discharge. All necessary types of protection are available.

The portable charger for the Inelco Kee Power Medium car can be connected through the car cigarette lighter and charges the battery without removing it from the car.

Chargers for car batteries Inelco KeePower Medium

Advantages:

• presence of Boost mode;
• suitable for charging high-capacity batteries;
• multifunctional modes;
• decent price for its quality;
• durability.

Flaws:

• lack of ability to adjust the current.

Average price: 1500 rubles.

Which charger did you like?

The article describes car battery charger, which allows you to set the charging current up to 10 A and automatically turn off battery charging when the set voltage on it is reached. The article provides schematic diagrams and drawingsinstallation of parts,printed circuit board, device design and dana me procedure for setting it up.

Most chargers allow you to set only the required charge current. In simple devices this current is maintained manually, and in some devices it is maintained automatically by current stabilizers. When using such devices, it is necessary to monitor the process of charging the battery to the maximum permissible voltage, which requires appropriate time and attention. The fact is that overcharging the battery leads to boiling of the electrolyte, which shortens its service life. The proposed charger allows you to set the charge current and automatically turn it off when the set voltage value is reached

The charger is built on the basis of an industrial rectifier type VSA-6K (you can use any rectifier of suitable power), converting an alternating voltage of 220 V into a fixed direct voltage of 12 V and 24 B, which are switched by a packet switch. The rectifier is designed for load current up to 24 A and does not contain an anti-aliasing filter. To charge batteries, the rectifier is supplemented with an electronic control circuit that allows you to set the required charging current and the rated voltage for disconnecting the charger from the battery when fully charged.

The charger is mainly intended for charging car batteries voltage 12 V and charging current up to 10 A, and can also be used for other purposes. To charge these batteries, a rectified voltage of 24 V is used, and for batteries with a voltage of 6 V, a voltage of 12 V is used. A smoothing filter cannot be connected to the output of the rectifier, since the thyristor can close only when the voltage reaches zero, and open at the right moment by the control circuit.

Fig. 1 Diagram of the power part of the charger

Schematic diagram of connection rectifier VSA-6K to the electronic control circuit board and to external elements is shown in Fig. 1. The terminals of the charger for connecting the battery are connected to the standard terminals of the front panel of the rectifier X3 and X4. To use fixed DC voltages of 12 V or 24 V when using the device for other purposes, the standard rectifier leads are connected to screw terminals XI and X2 located on the insulating strip next to the fuse FU2, which are covered by a removable cover on the right side wall of the device.

The rectifier voltmeter is connected to the battery connection terminals. The ammeter remains connected to the common “+” circuit and measures both the battery charge current and the load current connected to terminals X1 and X2. Voltage is supplied to the control circuit only when the battery is connected.

Commercially available batteries are usually charged and filled with electrolyte or dry-charged without electrolyte. They only require recharging to rated capacity. Used car batteries also require recharging after maintenance or long periods of inactivity. If it becomes necessary to form and charge a battery from scratch, then initially it must be recharged from a source with a fixed voltage of 12 V through a rheostat, which sets the required charging current. After the battery voltage reaches about 10 V, further operations can be performed by connecting it to terminals X3, X4.

For the subsequent description of the operation of the charger, it should be briefly recalled that the acid batteries used in passenger cars contain six cells. When the voltage on the bank reaches 2.4 V, gas evolution of an explosive oxygen-hydrogen mixture begins, which indicates that the battery is fully charged. Gas evolution destroys the active mass contained in the lead battery plates, therefore, to ensure maximum battery life, the voltage on each element should not exceed 2.3 V on average, also taking into account that the internal resistances of the elements and the voltages on them may differ slightly from each other friend. This ultimately corresponds to a maximum battery voltage of 13.8V, at which the charger should automatically turn off.

Device operation

The control circuit diagram is shown in Fig. 2,installation of parts is shown in Fig. 3, and the printed circuit board is shown in Fig. 4. The control circuit consists of a constant voltage amplifier on transistors VT1, VT2, VT3 and a circuit with an analogue of a unijunction transistor on VT4 and VT5, which controls the thyristor VS1 to set the required charging current. Using an analogue instead of a conventional unijunction transistor (for example, KT117A-G) is advantageous in that by choosing transistors and resistors R9 - R1 1 you can select its necessary characteristics.

When the battery voltage is less than 13.8 V, transistor VT3 is closed, and VT2 and VT1 are open. Pin 6 of the control board receives positive voltage half-waves from the diode bridge of the rectifier, which are superimposed on the constant voltage of the battery and, through open VT1, VD1, R8, are supplied to the thyristor current regulator.

Fig.2 Control diagram

It works as follows: voltage from R8 is supplied to the base VT4 and through the charging current setting regulator R12 to capacitor C1.

At the initial moment, VT4 and VT5 are closed. When C1 is charged to the operating voltage of an analogue of a unijunction transistor, a pulse is sent from the emitter VT5 to the control electrode of the thyristor, which opens and closes the battery charging circuit. In this case, C1 is quickly discharged through the low resistance of the open analogue of the unijunction transistor. When the next pulse arrives, the process repeats. The lower the resistance value R12 (Fig. 1), the faster C1 charges and VS1 opens, as a result of which it remains in the open state longer, and the greater the charging current. The glow of VD1 indicates that the battery is charging.

When the battery voltage reaches 13.8 IN, which corresponds to its full charge, transistor VT3 opens, and VT2 and VT1 close, the voltage on the thyristor control circuit disappears, the battery charge stops and the VD1 LED goes out.

Setting up the device

Setting up the charger is carried out with its front panel open and consists of setting the charging current cut-off voltage. To do this, you need to connect a voltmeter with an accuracy class of no worse than 1.5 to the battery, make sure that there is a voltage on it of at least 10.8 V (discharging a 12 V acid battery to a voltage below 10.8 V is not allowed), set the charging current (value 0.1 battery capacity), and set the trimmer resistor R5 to the middle position and start charging. If the charger turns off when the battery voltage is less than 13.8 V, then the slider of resistor R5 must be turned at a certain angle counterclockwise until the LED lights up and continue charging to 13.8 V, and if the device does not turn off at this voltage, turn the slider clockwise until the device turns off. In this case, the LED should go out. This completes the setup of the circuit and the front panel is installed in its place. For further operation of the charger, it is necessary to note which position of the needle on the standard voltmeter corresponds to a voltage of 13.8 V, so as not to use an additional voltmeter.

Fig.3

Fig.4

Fig.5

Structurally, the control board, thyristor with cooler, LED VD1 and variable resistor R12 for setting the charging current are fixed on the inside of the front panel (Fig. 5). The thyristor radiator is fixed on the panel using two textolite strips. It is attached to one with two M3 countersunk screws, and the other serves as an insulating gasket. The control board is secured with an additional nut at the ammeter terminal, which should not touch its printed tracks.

In conclusion, it should be noted that this device can provide a charging current of up to 24 A when installing a more powerful thyristor and fuse FU2 for a current of 25 A.

Anatoly Zhurenkov

Literature

1. S. Elkin Application of thyristor regulators with phase-pulse control // Radioammator. - 1998.-No.9.-P.37-38.

2. V. Voevoda Simple thyristor charger // Radio. - 2001. - No. 11. - P.35.

Probably every car enthusiast has at least once encountered the problem of a dead car battery. Even the highest quality and most modern power sources discharge from time to time and require recharging. When purchasing an automatic charger for a car battery, you must carefully study the characteristics of the battery that you plan to charge, and also understand the meaning of the parameters of the device itself.

From the characteristics of a car battery, you need to know the capacity, voltage and type. The vast majority of rechargeable batteries are of the lead-acid type. The exact parameters of the power supply can be found in the documentation for it or directly on the case or label.

Types of devices for charging car batteries

There are two types of chargers on the market: simple pre-chargers (otherwise called “trickle chargers”) and complex pre-chargers. The first are distinguished by the fact that the recharging process takes quite a long time, however, due to the slow rate of recovery of battery energy, it practically does not lose its properties. The latter, as a rule, have a higher price and may have a number of additional features. The device allows recharging in both normal smooth and significantly accelerated modes. Very useful functions of units of this type are: the ability to restore the charge of an almost completely depleted car battery, as well as start the car engine without a battery at all.

Fast charging, available when using jump chargers, by the way, has a rather unfavorable effect on the condition of the car battery and its durability. In view of this, it is not recommended to use the accelerated mode on an ongoing basis unless there is a specific justified need. Under normal conditions, experts recommend recharging with a pre-start device or a start-charging device in low current mode. The slow mode, by the way, provides for automatic regulation of the incoming charging current when the battery is restored. For greater safety, the process occurs as follows: at the beginning of the procedure, the battery is charged with a weak current, which gradually increases and decreases again towards the end of the cycle.

Modern chargers can be programmed to take into account the exact indicators of the battery being charged, eliminating both over- and under-charging of the battery, both options have a detrimental effect on the performance of the devices.

In addition, there are chargers that operate at constant voltage, constant current, and combined. The first two allow you to restore the charge of a car battery quite quickly, however, as already noted, this reduces the resource of the power source. The latter allows you to carry out the procedure without damaging the battery. Rather, this is why almost all modern charging units use combined parameters.

Operating principle of the charger

The operating principle of all devices that are designed to recharge batteries is almost the same. When connected to the network, the device receives 220 V. The voltage and current are adjusted by the device to the proper values, the current is rectified and supplied to the charging power source.

For each type of battery, a certain order and charging method is preferred. For example, experts believe that it is better to recharge lead-acid batteries more often, without allowing them to discharge. Alkaline batteries, due to the fact that they have a “memory effect,” are recommended to be completely discharged. However, both need to be charged to maximum.

Automatic charger

An automatic charger is the best choice for beginners and car enthusiasts who do not want to delve too deeply into the theory of electricity. Devices of this type do not require human intervention; everything happens automatically. Simply connect the unit to the power supply and place the clamps on the terminals of the car battery that needs recharging.

The automatic device independently controls the entire process: it takes into account the charge level, builds a cycle, and controls the course of the procedure. When the charge reaches one hundred percent, the device turns off automatically. Further, if the charger is not disconnected, it continues to monitor the condition of the battery. If its charge drops (due to self-discharge), the sensors will detect this and the automation will turn on again to recharge. Thus, the charge level of the power supply will be constantly maintained at 100%.

Five-stage chargers in automatic mode are capable of:

• recharge to 80% charge level;
• bring charging to the maximum with a decreasing current;
• maintain the battery charge level at 95–100%;
• using the pulse mode of operation to eliminate sulfation of the plates;
• Diagnose the condition of the power supply.

The eight-stage device has wider functionality:

• the charge-discharge method combats sulfation;
• diagnostics;
• recharging up to 80%;
• full recharging with reducing current;
• checking battery self-discharge;
• elimination of electrolyte separation when fully charged;
• maintaining maximum available capacity;
• preventive charging at 95% and above.

Thus, an automatic charger for a car battery has a number of advantages. It is very simple and convenient to use, and does not require special skills and knowledge from the car enthusiast.

Today we have a very useful homemade product for car enthusiasts, especially in winter! This time we will tell you how to make a homemade charger from an old printer with your own hands!
If you have an old printer, don’t rush to throw it away; it has a power supply from which you can make a simple automatic charger for a car battery with the function of adjusting the voltage and charge current. At one time, I had a safety margin greater than that of printer print heads. In this regard, I have accumulated a couple of printers with absolutely working power supplies, quite suitable for creating low-power automatic battery chargers.

The circuit is based on 2 stabilizers:

1. Current stabilizer on the LM317 chip
2. Adjustable voltage stabilizer made on a microcircuit (adjustable zener diode) TL431

The device also uses another stabilizer chip, Lm7812, which powers a 12 Volt cooler (which was originally in this case).

The charger is assembled in the case, all the contents of the unit, except the cooler, are removed. Stabilizer chips Lm317 and Lm 7812 are each installed on its own radiator, which are screwed to a plastic case (ATTENTION they cannot be installed on a common radiator!).

The circuit is assembled by mounted mounting on stabilizer microcircuits. Resistors R2 and R3 with a power of 2-5 Watts in ceramic cases are responsible for limiting the charge current. They are installed so that it passes through them. Their value is calculated using the formula R=1.25(V)/I(A), you can calculate the maximum charge current you need. Since we are talking about calculations, let me remind you that we have If you need to smoothly regulate the charge current, you can install a powerful rheostat with an additional limiting resistor (so as not to exceed the maximum permissible current for Lm317)
In my case it was 24 Volts with a maximum load current of 1 Ampere. It is necessary to reserve 0.1 Ampere from this 1 Ampere for powering the cooler (the consumption current is indicated on the sticker) + I left 10% for a safety margin, respectively, for the main purpose - 0.8 Ampere remains for the charging current.

It is clear that you cannot quickly charge a car battery with a current of 800 mA. In one day, the battery can be supplied with 24 hours * 0.8 A = 19.2 Ampere hours, which is 30-45% of the capacity of a car battery (usually 45-65 Ah).
If you have a “donor” power supply with a current of 1.5 Amperes, you will be able to provide 30 Ampere hours per day, which is probably enough for a battery that has been in use for more than one year.

But, on the other hand, charging with a low current is more useful for the battery, “it is better absorbed”, just unscrew the plugs from the battery (if it is serviceable), connect the charger to the battery and that’s it! You can go about your business and not worry that the battery will be overcharged, the maximum voltage on the battery will not exceed 14.5 Volts, and the low charging current will prevent excessive overheating and boiling off of the electrolyte. Due to the fact that you don’t have to control the charging process, I think this can be safely called an automatic charger for car batteries, although there is no “tracking automation” in the circuit.
For convenience, the charger can be equipped with a Volt meter, which will make it possible to visually monitor the battery charging process. For example, like this for a couple of dollars.

The charger must be equipped with protection against polarity reversal. The role of such protection is performed by two diodes with a permissible current of 5 Amps connected to the output of the charger in combination with a 2 Ampere fuse (during installation, be careful and observe the polarity of diode connections!!!). If the charger is connected incorrectly to the battery, the battery current will flow into the charger through the fuse and “hit” the diode, when the current reaches 2 Amps, the fuse will save the world! Also, do not forget to provide the device with fuses for the 220 Volt circuit (in my case, for the 220 Volt circuit, the fuse is already inside the power supply).

We connect the charger to the car battery using special “crocodile” clips; when buying them on the Internet, pay attention to the physical size indicated in the characteristics, since you can easily buy crocodiles for a “laboratory power supply” that will be good for everyone, but will not fit on the positive one battery terminal, and reliable contact, as you yourself understand, is a must in such matters. For convenience, there are several nylon Velcro ties on the wires and the body with which you can carefully and compactly wind the wires.

I hope this printer recycling idea is useful to someone. If you have made homemade automatic chargers for car batteries (or non-automatic ones), please share with the readers of our site - send us a photo, diagram and a short description of your device by email. If you have questions about the scheme and operating principle, ask in the comments and I will answer.