This article is for you if you would like to know more about charging a sealed lead battery for best performance. Potential benefits include output you can depend on, as well as a long service life. But following an incorrect procedure, or using the wrong equipment could yield disappointing results. The technology is straightforward, and you should have little difficulty following it.
Using the Right Charger for a Sealed Lead Battery
There are a variety of battery chargers on the market. Choose one from a supplier you can trust, and that is marked suitable for charging a sealed lead battery. A quality one should offer you a choice of these four charging routines:
- CONSTANT VOLTAGE charging that begins at a higher rate, but gradually steps down to avoid overcharging.
- CONSTANT CURRENT charging, which delivers in bulk regardless of battery state, until it reaches 80%.
- TAPER CURRENT charging that uses a resistor to adjust input down, until the battery is fully charged.
- TWO STEP CONSTANT VOLTAGE charging, which uses a high voltage until a point where it switches to a lower rate.
We recommend using the constant voltage charging method. This is because it balances charging time, capacity, and battery service life.
Overcharging and Undercharging Sealed Lead Batteries
A quality battery charger that is rated for the job should cease charging a sealed lead battery when it is topped up. This avoids over- or under-charging which can lead to these negative consequences.
- OVER-charging a lead battery damages the electrolyte, and prematurely ages the battery. It becomes warmer, and then hotter if the overcharge continues, and can destroy itself in a couple of hours.
- UNDER-charging a lead battery results in a gradual accumulation of lead sulfate on the lead plate electrodes. This gradually reduces battery capacity, meaning it goes flat sooner.
Choosing the right battery charger, and the right charging method are as important as choosing a sealed lead battery with a reputation you can trust!
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