High tech battery chargers

Joined: 21 Jun 2004 Location: Brisbane

I am looking for a new battery charger and I am trying to understand the benefits of buying an expensive fancy multi-stage charger over a cheap one, beyond the over-charging protection.

I recently had both batteries die in my Patrol and I have since bought a new starting battery, but I am interested in seeing if I can get some more life out of at least one of the old batteries, for use to run my fridge for short periods, which they used to do until recently. I dont have any dead cells.

I have read that some of the chargers have a restoration effect and some claim to charge to an additional 15% over standard chargers. There are 3-stage, 4-stage, 7-stage, etc. Some are really expensive and only 3-stage yet there are cheaper 7-stage ones.

Here are some of the possibilities I have been looking at:

"Desulphation mode with pulses."
http://cgi.ebay.com.au/CTEK-XS-15000-12v-BATTERY-CHARGER-XS15000-4X4-CARAVAN_W0QQitemZ180250967798QQihZ008QQcategoryZ102703QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

"The pulsed current charging system allows batteries to accept up to 15% more energy than typical charging methods."
http://www.jaycar.com.au/productView.asp?ID=MB3620&CATID=&keywords=battery+charger&SPECIAL=&form=KEYWORD&ProdCodeOnly=&Keyword1=&Keyword2=&pageNumber=&priceMin=&priceMax=&SUBCATID=

"Brings drained batteries back to life increasing performance and battery life"
http://cgi.ebay.com.au/PROJECTA-7-STAGE-AUTOMATIC-16000mA-BATTERY-CHARGER-4WD_W0QQitemZ200228291539QQihZ010QQcategoryZ14962QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

Any battery gurus who can advize me where to spend my $$?

thanks

Joined: 14 Jun 2004 Location: Land of Plenty

CTEK all the way

Joined: 11 Jan 2004 Location: Adelaide

blkmav wrote:

CTEK all the way

CTEK certainly have a good reputation.

The "15% more" claim is a result of the "restorative" properties of some of the fancier charging techniques - it can't force in any more charge than the underlying physical construction will allow, so don't expect it to magically improve the capacity of a new battery.

Joined: 11 Dec 2004 Location: Queensland

Hi Grazza, what do you actually want to do with the battery charger.

Are you going to use it to periodically top the batteries up or are you planning on using it to fully charge the batteries after a trip away or are you planning on leaving the batteries on the charger all the time the vehicle is not used ( if it is only used occasionally ).

These and other factors need to be considered while you try to work out which charger will best suit your needs.

I’m no expert on battery chargers and have just bought the Jaycar one you have listed above to be able to charge different types of batteries after I work with them.

As Scott posted, I would be careful of the 15% extra charge statement as they can simply be comparing it to old single stage type chargers which are renowned for not charging batteries properly.

The other thing to consider is what does the manufacturer of your specific brand of battery say to do.

Many manufacturers actually recommend a slow low current charge as being the best way to maximise the battery’s full potential and to this end I have also bought some small 3.8 amp chargers, also from Jaycar, to keep some standby batteries constantly charged.

Just some ideas for your questions, cheers.

Joined: 11 Jan 2006 Location: Seville Vic

C TEK's are brilliant. easy to use, have lots of different features.
I have the 7amp model and its perfect for all the charging I do.

They have a mode that enables you to "restore" badly dischargd batteries

Some also have a "supply" mode which enables you to use your charger as a power supply.

Joined: 21 Jun 2004 Location: Brisbane

Thanks for your help guys.

I have ended up buying a cheaper brand than the CTEK. It was half the price and had all the same sort of modes (7-stage, 16A) and most importantly it would work with smaller (10Ah) batteries as well as 100Ah ones, which the CTEK did not (according to their specs) I have one of those Thumpers to charge as well as the boat/car batteries.

Time will tell if it lasts as long as a CTEK but funds are tight at the moment.

I will see if either of the N70 batteries can be revived and let you know.

Joined: 31 Aug 2004 Location: Canberra, ACT

grazza wrote:

Thanks for your help guys.

I have ended up buying a cheaper brand than the CTEK. It was half the price and had all the same sort of modes (7-stage, 16A)

What did you end up getting, and how much?