How do Batteries work?

Batteries are made of cells. Each cell generates around 2 volts. Thus, a 6 volt lead-acid battery has 3 of these cells connected in a series while a 12 volt battery has 6 cells. In addition, a battery contains electrolyte solution which contains 35% sulfuric acid and 65% water solution. Lead plates (cells) are submerged in the electrolyte solution which creates a chemical reaction. When a complete circuit is made the chemical reaction creates a direct current from which electrical energy flows.

What are some of the basic 12 volt battery related electrical terms?

Voltage is the pressure of the circuit.
Amperes (Amps) is the amount of charge that flows in the circuit per second.
Ampere-hours (Ah) measures the capacity of the battery.
Load is the electrical device that is drawing power (radio, light, etc).
Ohm is the measure of electrical resistance.
Direct Current (DC) the electrical current only flows in one direction (opposite of AC or alternating current).

What’s the most basic thing I should know about battery charging?

A battery charger is rated in amps (.75 amps, 2 amps, 10 amps, etc.). While a battery’s capacity is rated in ampere-hours (a typical car starting battery will have 50 Ah, while a deep cycle battery has 100 Ah or more). If a battery is charged for 10 hours with a 2 amp charger, then 20 Ah have been added to the battery’s electrical storage capacity.

Also, remember to connect the RED cable to the positive terminal and the BLACK cable to the negative terminal.

What do I Need to Know about Battery Chargers?

In a nut shell, battery chargers reverse the chemical reaction inside the cells. They charge your car battery while the battery is not connected to your car. Battery chargers come in many shapes and sizes. The two most basic types of lead-acid battery charges are float chargers and multi-stage chargers.

A good float charger charges that battery at a constant rate until the “float” voltage is reached. After the “float” voltage is reached the charger will gradually reduces the current to maintain the “float” voltage.

A multi-stage charger has three or four stages of charging. These stages are bulk, absorption, float, and equalization. Bulk, the initial stage is a charge at a constant rate. The next stage is the absorption which helps reduce heat while still charging the battery at the natural absorption rate. Then the float stage kicks in to maintain the battery charge without overcharging. Last, some chargers have a fourth stage, the equalization stage which essentially cleans the lead plates in the battery.

What steps I should take before connecting a charger to a battery?

FIRST! READ ALL FAQS, PRODUCT MANUALS AND USER GUIDES

Make sure the area around the battery is well ventilated before and during the charging process.

Before connecting the charger, check to see if water needs to be added to each cell. Fill the battery with distilled water until lead plates are covered. DO NOT overfill as battery acid expands during charge. Check your battery instructions for more detail.

Some sealed maintenance free batteries have a battery condition indicator. A light or bright colored dot indicates low water. This battery needs to be replaced, not charged or jump started.

Charge battery with caps in place. Most U.S. batteries are made with flame arresting caps. DO NOT pry caps off sealed batteries. Place a wet cloth on the batteries with non-flame arresting caps.

Be sure to connect the red cable to the positive terminal and the black cable to the negative terminal.

How long will it take to charge a battery?

The basic formula to figure out how long it takes to charge a battery is:

Ah of battery ÷ amps of charger = Number of hours to charge battery.

Let’s say you drain a 50 Ah battery to 30 Ah. You need 20 Ah to restore the battery. Therefore, a good estimate for how long it would take a 2 Amp charger to restore the battery is about 10 Hours. At this point, a good three stage charger would bring the battery to about 90% capacity and then slowly restore the last 10%.

How do I know if my battery is charged or not?

12-Volt Lead acid batteries are made up of 6 2 Volt cells. A 12-volt battery will measure about 12.9 volts when it’s fully charged. It will measure about 11.4 volts when it is fully discharged. We recommend that you use a hydrometer or voltmeter to estimate the level of charge.

How long can I leave my Battery Doc® battery charger connected to a battery?

Battery Doc’s® new technology multi-step chargers have a float mode (3rd step) which maintains the batteries at approximately 13.3 volts (for lead-acid batteries) and 13.8 volts (for gel-cell batteries). As long as the batteries are in good condition and you maintain your water levels inside the batteries periodically (for lead-acid batteries), then you can leave the charger on between fishing, boating trips, etc. It is a good idea to check on the battery at least once a week if possible.

How do I know if my battery is “really” dead and needs replacement?

It is entirely possible to “over discharge” a battery; to take the battery voltage on a 12-volt battery down to 3 or 4 volts under load. That would constitute severe over-discharge. Most acid batteries can take such brutality. There is a chance that the battery can be restored to full condition -- provided that it is recharged within a few hours of experiencing the harsh over-discharge.

If the battery voltage on a 12-volt battery is only 8 or 9 volts when measured in a rest state, it is more than likely that the battery is faulty.

Should I be concerned about battery acid?

Battery posts may have acid corrosion. DO NOT get corrosion in your eyes. Avoid touching the eyes while working near a battery.

IMPORTANT!

ALWAYS use a battery carrier. Carrying a battery by hand may put pressure on its ends, causing acid to be forced out vent caps.

ALWAYS have plenty of fresh water and soap nearby in case battery acid contacts eyes, skin or clothing. If battery acid contacts skin or clothing, wash immediately with soap and water. If acid enters eye, immediately flood eye with cold running water for at least fifteen (15) minutes and get medical help immediately.

Does a battery charger require any special treatment?

DO NOT disassemble the charger. Take it to a qualified service person when service or repair is required. Incorrect reassembly may result in a risk of electric shock or fire.

DO NOT expose the charger to rain, snow, water, gas, oil, etc.

DO NOT operate the charger if it has received a sharp blow, been dropped, or otherwise damaged in any way; take it to a qualified service person.

DO NOT block air holes in top or bottom of the charger. DO NOT put the charger on vehicle seat. DO NOT set a battery on top of charger.

DO NOT operate the charger with clips shorted together.

Remember!! The second clip connection MUST ALWAYS be made away from the battery.

Can you please explain what a Thermal resistor does and why this is useful?

The Thermal resistor will automatically sense the internal temperature of charger, the charger will automatically cool down the temperature to a proper level when it detects the internal over temperature occurred, so that the charger is always automatically operated at a safety temperature range, avoid damaging the charger due to over heat or high ambient temperature.

If I understand, the lowest starting voltage for all battery types is 3V, but the peak level is different for different batteries? What is the peak level for the different types of batteries?

Yes, the starting voltage for all battery is 3V, but the peak level is different for different battery types, such as 14.1V for GEL, 14.4V for AGM and WET battery, 14.7V for Lead calcium battery in absorption stage, 15.5V for AGM / WET battery and 16.2V for Lead calcium battery in automatic Equalization stage, After the Absorption and automatic Equalization stage, the battery reach to above peak level and thoroughly charged.

Then automatically switch to a storage level of 13.5V (Float charge)
…is this correct?

Yes, it is

Can you please explain what “micro-processed controlled” or Smart Charger means?

Our charger is a smart charger, which employs a programmed mcu (micro-process unit), you can understand the programmed mcu (micr-process unit) is similar as a CPU in computer,
the programmed mcu can automatically monitor the charging current, charging voltage and then automatically determine the charging rate and voltage level, also, the mcu program will automatically provide the charging time management, such as control the maximum time in each charging stage, automatically determine the absorption charging time and Equalizing charging time in proportion to the time taken in Bulk charge, etc, the mcu program built in the different charging algorithm to suit for different battery types, Overall, our charger becomes a smart charger depended on the "micro-processed controlled".

Can I charge any and all 12 volt batteries regardless of battery brand name with your battery chargers?

Generally, our 12 volt battery charger is suitable for any all 12V batteries regardless of battery brand name. When you get a new brand name battery, usually, you need to judge which type it is, for example: firstly, you have to judge they are Gel type or WET type? or AGM type? or Lead calcium type, then, select the proper battery type to charge them with our battery chargers you take out the guess-work.