The document discusses various methods of charging batteries, including:
1) Constant voltage charging, which charges a battery at a maximum voltage until the charge current drops off as the battery reaches that voltage.
2) Constant current charging, which maintains a constant current until a specific voltage is reached, but requires careful monitoring to prevent overcharging.
3) Most automatic battery chargers use a 3-stage process - bulk charge, absorption charge, and float charge - to safely charge batteries to full capacity.
The document discusses various methods of charging batteries, including:
1) Constant voltage charging, which charges a battery at a maximum voltage until the charge current drops off as the battery reaches that voltage.
2) Constant current charging, which maintains a constant current until a specific voltage is reached, but requires careful monitoring to prevent overcharging.
3) Most automatic battery chargers use a 3-stage process - bulk charge, absorption charge, and float charge - to safely charge batteries to full capacity.
The document discusses various methods of charging batteries, including:
1) Constant voltage charging, which charges a battery at a maximum voltage until the charge current drops off as the battery reaches that voltage.
2) Constant current charging, which maintains a constant current until a specific voltage is reached, but requires careful monitoring to prevent overcharging.
3) Most automatic battery chargers use a 3-stage process - bulk charge, absorption charge, and float charge - to safely charge batteries to full capacity.
The document discusses various methods of charging batteries, including:
1) Constant voltage charging, which charges a battery at a maximum voltage until the charge current drops off as the battery reaches that voltage.
2) Constant current charging, which maintains a constant current until a specific voltage is reached, but requires careful monitoring to prevent overcharging.
3) Most automatic battery chargers use a 3-stage process - bulk charge, absorption charge, and float charge - to safely charge batteries to full capacity.
Constant Current Charging Temperature Effect on Charging What Size Battery Charger? In this Issue Battery Charging ISSUE 02 2010 A battery is simply a device that stores electrical energy in a chemical form and charging is the process of replacing the used electrical energy back into the battery. When maintaining batteries at a fully charged level, and recharging batteries from a discharged state, correct charging methods and processes play an important role in battery life and performance. A number of charging methods exist; each designed for different applications and battery types. Automatic Battery Chargers The basic stages of charging from flat, using an automatic type charger are: Bulk Charge During this process a constant current is supplied to the battery at a rate determined by the battery charger. Most automatic battery chargers will detect the type of battery being charged and apply an appropriate current at a constant rate until the battery is about 70% charged. Absorption Charge During this stage the charger maintains a constant voltage to the battery and the charging current tapers off naturally when the battery nears full charge. Float Charge When the current flow reaches a pre-determined set point which indicates the end of the absorption charge stage, the charger automatically switches over to float charge. The purpose of this stage is to simply maintain the battery at full charge. Most modern battery chargers are of the automatic 3 stage type and will detect the type of battery under charge to adjust the above 3 stage charging process accordingly. Constant Voltage Charging This method charges a battery at a maximum voltage, typically from 13.8V to 15V and a maximum current depending on the charger specification. When a flat battery has been charged for a period of time and the maximum voltage is approached, the charge current drops off in proportion to the battery voltage increase. Constant Current Charging This requires a specially designed charger that maintains a pre-selected constant current until a specific voltage has been achieved. This type of charger is not generally used, as without careful monitoring and control of battery temperature, overcharging and overheating (cooking) of the battery can occur. DC Voltage AC Current Constant Voltage Absorption Time ABSORPTION CHARGE TIME Constant Current BULK CHARGE Reduced Current & Voltage FLOAT CHARGE 0:00 03:00 06:00 09:00 Volts Amps C u r r e n t
( A m p s ) V o l t s TIME 12:00 24:00 0 20 40 60 80 100 120 0 20 40 60 80 100 120 C Y 1 0 3 - 1 0 2 9 Temperature Effect During Charging Temperature correction is important during charging as battery characteristics differ according to temperature. For example at 20C a 12V battery should be float charged at 13.5V however at 30C the same battery should be charged at 13.3V. The chart below can be used to determine the correct charging voltage according to temperature. Some Automatic chargers often incorporate a temperature selection feature to account for temperature variations. What Size Battery Charger As a general rule of thumb, when selecting a charger choose an Australian approved battery charger equal to at least 10% of the battery capacity i.e. for a 120Ah battery choose a 15A charger. In the absence of an Ah rating being displayed on the battery, the following table can be used to quickly determine the Ah capacity of a Century battery. Always round up to the next size charger. Charging Century Batteries General information:- Charging at 14.5V will fully charge most lead acid flooded batteries. Century UHP and HP batteries can be charged using any generally available automotive battery charger of appropriate capacity. SLI Batteries (UHP and HP range):- Century wet flooded lead acid starting batteries such as the Ultra Hi Performance range can be slow charged, at a rate of 0.1C (10% of the battery capacity). For example a 100Ah battery should be recharged using a 10A charger. Calcium (HP Range):- With Calcium lead acid batteries, such as the Century Hi Performance range, there may be situations which require recharging of an over discharged battery. In these circumstances the abnormally high internal resistance of such batteries will prevent charge acceptance and can lead to over heating and gassing without effectively charging the battery. The aim in such situations is to supply a low current flow for an extended period of time and this may require a special type of charger. Yuasa and Katana Motorcycle Batteries:- Conventional, maintenance free and factory activated motorcycle batteries should be recharged according to the manufacturers instructions. All Katana and Yuasa motorcycle batteries feature detailed charging instructions. Deep Cycle Batteries:- Wet flooded deep cycle batteries should be recharged overnight at a rate equivalent to 10% of the battery capacity. State of charge should be regularly checked using a hydrometer or multimeter to ensure optimum battery condition is achieved. Deep Cycle AGM:- AGM batteries should be charged using a charger with a mode switch for AGM type batteries. It is recommended to use a charger, current limited to 20% or 0.2C of the batteries capacity at a charging voltage of between 14.6 14.8V following deep cycle use, or 13.6V 13.8V for standby use. Charging should be paused if the battery or ambient temperature exceeds 50C. Deep Cycle Gel:- Century Deep Cycle Gel batteries should be recharged using a charger recommended for Gel type batteries. The charging voltage is lower for Gel batteries and charging should be paused if the battery or ambient temperature exceeds 50C. Charging using a vehicles alternator is not recommended as the current limit will be too high and can lead to over charging if not regularly checked. Use a charger, current limited to 0.2C (20% of battery capacity) at a charging voltage between 14.1-14.4Volts following cyclic use or 13.5- 13.8V following standby use. VRLA Batteries:- Correct charging of a VRLA battery is essential to optimise battery performance and life. Although a constant voltage charge should be applied, optimum charging also depends on temperature (Nominally 20C) and charge current (max 0.25 battery capacity). Two basic categories of charging exist: Float/Standby:- This method is used in applications such as emergency back-up where the battery is required upon mains failure e.g. Emergency Lighting. The battery is continuously on charge and consequently the recommended charge voltages are slightly lower than cyclic charging to avoid damaging the battery. (Float voltage for Yuasa NP range = 2.275 volts/cell) Cyclic:- Cyclic charging is used in applications where the battery is repeatedly discharged then charged, e.g. Wheel chairs and golf trolleys. A higher charging voltage is used however care should be taken to avoid leaving the battery on charge indefinately as this will overcharge and destroy the battery. (Cyclic voltage for Yuasa NP range = 2.4 - 2.5 volts/cell). Refer to the battery labels for charging instructions or refer to the manufacturers instructions where possible. Further information regarding battery charging can be found in the Century Batteries selection guide, Century Deep Cycle user guide and Yuasa NP product brochure. BATTERY CAPACITY (Ah) Solar Panel Charger (240 Volt) Generator 60-80 watt 80-100 watt Up to 5 amps 5-10 amps 15-20 amps 40 amps 40-60 amps 80-100 amps 45 to 55 Ah
65 to 70 Ah
75 to 85 Ah
95 to 115 Ah
Type: Absorption Charging Float Charging SLI/Flooded 14.2V to 14.5V 13.2V to 13.5V Sealed 14.2V to 14.5V 13.2V to 13.5V VRLA 14.2V to 14.5V 13.2V to 13.5V AGM 14.6V to 14.8V 13.2V to 13.8V GEL 14.1V to 14.4V 13.2V to 13.4V Approximate Amp Hour by Battery Type Maximum Charge Voltage by Battery Type Charger Size by Battery Capacity 13.3 13.2 13.35 13.25 13.4 13.45 13.5 13.55 13.6 10 30 20 40 CELSIUS V O L T S TYPE Amp Hour 47 40 57 50 67 55 NS70 60 N70 70 86 85 For more information contact your Century Yuasa representative. www.centurybatteries.com.au Charging Voltage vs Temperature