Questions on 12v chargers....

HogSniper

HogSniper

New member
What amperage minimum is required to charge smaller 12volt say 7ah to 12ah batteries effectively? Does higher amps rating mean it will charge faster? Almost picked up a $19 charger at local auto parts store. It was rated for 1amp, also had a 1.5amp for about $10 more. Is there a maximum you should charge these smaller 12v batteries with?
Sorry for newbie questions, never bought a 12v charger before.

HS
 
A charger for a sealed lead Acid battery should be no more that 2-2.5 amps of charge. Any more than that the battery has the potential of getting hot and weakening the Seal of the battery. That 1.5 amp charger would do ya fine.
 
what kind of battery are you trying to charge .. amps are the power of the battery .. same goes for chargeing .. more amps the faster the charge .. but different batteries are designed to be charged at different rates meaning amps

a 7ah battery will in theroy take a 1 amp draw for 7hrs and will run a 7amp draw for 1hr
12ah for 12 hrs. ect. charging rate should be about the same
 
Ok, thanks fellows, I think I understand now. I'm fixin to order a couple of SLA batteries either 9ah or maybe 12ah rates. Trying to keep weight down for portability, so probably go with a lighter 7ah - 9ah rig. What about a large 12v charger you would use for your car or trolling motor battery that is switchable between 2/6/10 amps? Could I safely charge the smaller 9ah battery using the 2amp setting? If so, I may go that route & be able to cover all the bases.

Thanks again,
HS
 
just a quick Note.....

SLA (Sealed lead Acid) Batterys do not breath, if you Over charge them, they will Bloat and Ruin the battery.....Due to over heating by the charger......


Car and truck batterys have vents, so when you charge them the Gases Expell out the vents..and you can re-fill, Most of them with water.......

Good hunting.......Rick
 
I have a couple of chargers neither of which I paid more than 20 dollars for. They both charge either 6 or 12 volt batteries. One I got on ebay and cant come up with where I might get another it is called a SmartCharger, at least on the unit that is what it says.

The other is a Schumacher 1.5amp slow charge, model number
SEM-1562A. I purchased that at WalMart for $18.57. Both will charge and maintain SLA batteries.

My 7 and 8AH batteries are fully charged in about 6 hours or less.

Heres the one I got at WalMart this is the Amazon listing though.

http://www.amazon.com/Schumacher-SEM-1562A-Charge-Battery-Companion/dp/B0009IBJAS
 
Hey HogSniper,

I just joined PM, hoping to learn a few things, and it turns out I actually can offer some advice.

I've owned motorcycles for many years, and have used Battery Tenders for quite a few of those. It's not a cheap solution, but it won't overcharge the battery. I just recently purchased a Battery Tender Jr., and keep it in the basement to charge my spotlight batteries as well as keep a charge on the emergency brake battery for my wife's horse trailer in the winter.

You definitely want a "smart" charger that goes into a "maintenance" mode once the battery is charged. Otherwise the battery life is cut short by quite a bit.

Best, Jim
 


Write your reply...
Back
Top