From: Bjorn Brandstedt (super_deuce@hotmail.com)
Date: Wed Oct 02 2002 - 18:32:45 PDT
Steve,
Battery charging is a full blown science these days. I mentioned the
"Chargetek 500" in an earlier post and this can serve as a follow-up.
The site where you find this smart charger is
http://www.4unique.com/battery/battery_tutorial.htm#Charging
I have seen "trickle charge" currents specified from 1/100 to 1/10 of the
AmpHr capacity of the battery. I would think that the people that designed
the "smart charger", described below, did a lot of research on the subject
and decided to call it float charge since it it more precisely controlled
(I'm guessing).
This is a paste from the above site:
"9. Battery Charging - Remember you must put back the energy you use
immediately. If you don't the battery sulfates and that affects performance
and longevity. The alternator is a battery charger. It works well if the
battery is not deeply discharged. The alternator tends to overcharge
batteries that are very low and the overcharge can damage batteries. In fact
an engine starting battery on average has only about 10 deep cycles
available when recharged by an alternator. Batteries like to be charged in a
certain way, especially when they have been deeply discharged. This type of
charging is called 3 step regulated charging. Please note that only special
SMART CHARGERS <chargetek/chargetek.htm> using computer technology can
perform 3 step charging techniques. You don't find these types of chargers
in parts stores and Wal-Marts. The first step is bulk charging where up to
80% of the battery energy capacity is replaced by the charger at the maximum
voltage and current amp rating of the charger. When the battery voltage
reaches 14.4 volts this begins the absorption charge step. This is where the
voltage is held at a constant 14.4 volts and the current (amps) declines
until the battery is 98% charged. Next comes the Float Step. This is a
regulated voltage of not more than 13.4 volts and usually less than 1 amp of
current. This in time will bring the battery to 100% charged or close to it.
The float charge will not boil or heat batteries but will maintain the
batteries at 100% readiness and prevent cycling during long term inactivity.
Some gel cell and AGM batteries may require special settings or chargers."
Hoping this at least begins to answer your question,
Bjorn
>From: "Steve & Jeanne Keith" <cckw@attbi.com>
>To: "Military Vehicles Mailing List" <mil-veh@mil-veh.org>,"Bjorn
>Brandstedt" <super_deuce@hotmail.com>
>Subject: trickle charge
>Date: Wed, 2 Oct 2002 16:19:34 -0400
>
>Does anyone know what is the trickle charge current and voltage for a 12v
>battery?
>
>Is it 14.4 volts with about 100 ma?
>
>
>Thanks
>Steve AKA Dr Deuce
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