Smart Battery Charger Fundementals

Why Use Smart Battery Chargers?

The smart battery charger is a charger that is controlled by a microprocessor that provides intelligent, automatic charging to a wide range of lead acid batteries. This means you can use it for you boat, vehicle, ATV, RV and lawn mower if you wish. The fact that these chargers are fully automatic and electronic makes them great if you don't know much about batteries, but want optimum performance at the push of a button. Most are dual volt and will work for both 6 and 12 volt units.

There are specialist smart battery chargers that are produced by battery manufacturers to work solely with their batteries. The battery may feature a digital microchip within them allow them to be charged for optimum power and performance. The risk of overcharging is virtually non-existent. These are often used for the recharge of batteries for medical equipment, portable radios, and computer devices, but for the user of large lead acid or gel cell batteries, the automotive style battery charger is perfect for you needs.

Virtually all these battery chargers utilize three stage charging, generally at around 40 amp, 20 amps, 10 amps, and 4 amps. Models like the Black and Decker promise a 5 min charge will start your engine, with full charging in around 4.5 hours, a remarkable improvement on the overnight charging that many chargers offer. These chargers, although quick, work to bring the battery up to it's normal output levels, making them, and the battery, extremely efficient.

If you are a boat owner, you will be aware that a well maintained boat battery at maximal charge and with optimum state of health (SOH) is the minimum you should be looking for when taking to open water. Many sailors have got into difficulty due to batteries failing and them being unable to return to shore. Some have lost their lives due to not carrying out basic battery maintenance to ensure their personal safety. 

The use of smart battery charging technology is something every boat owner, or anyone else who relies on batteries, should consider. These chargers generally offer a spark resistant reverse hook up and overcharge protection to make sure that, even if you get the get your positives and negatives mixed up, you are not creating unsafe environments. Most, like the Black and Decker's, come with a two year warranty.

If you are looking for a charger for your other navigational and safety items, such as GPS, fish finders, two way radios etc, the range of small battery chargers is extremely good. Titanium and Hitech offer some good models, as does La Crosse Technology. The Pulsetech 12v smart battery charger is also a stand-out product. All these styles of chargers are available on Amazon  , usually for a very good discount over retail prices. You will find that the best smart battery charger units   on Amazon usually come with free shipping, and the customer reviews help with the decision making. Stand out models on the automotive or boat chargers are the Black & Decker VEC1093DBD Smart Battery  charger . For the smaller batteries, the La Crosse Technology BC-700 Alpha Power Battery Charger  is an excellent unit, receiving amazing reviews on Amazon.

We hope this brief look at the types of technologically advanced charger has helped you. It is imperative to make sure that your batteries, for whatever purpose are ready for when you need them. For this reason, it makes very good sense to invest in a smart battery charger.