Charger Definition and 107 Threads

A battery charger, or recharger, is a device used to put energy into a secondary cell or rechargeable battery by forcing an electric current through it.
The charging protocol (how much voltage or current for how long, and what to do when charging is complete, for instance) depends on the size and type of the battery being charged. Some battery types have high tolerance for overcharging (i.e., continued charging after the battery has been fully charged) and can be recharged by connection to a constant voltage source or a constant current source, depending on battery type. Simple chargers of this type must be manually disconnected at the end of the charge cycle, and some battery types absolutely require, or may use, a timer to cut off charging current at some fixed time, approximately when charging is complete. Other battery types cannot withstand over-charging, becoming damaged (reduced capacity, reduced lifetime), over heating or even exploding.
The charger may have temperature or voltage sensing circuits and a microprocessor controller to safely adjust the charging current and voltage, determine the state of charge, and cut off at the end of charge.
A trickle charger provides a relatively small amount of current, only enough to counteract self-discharge of a battery that is idle for a long time. Some battery types cannot tolerate trickle charging of any kind; attempts to do so may result in damage. Lithium ion battery cells use a chemistry system which does not permit indefinite trickle charging.Slow battery chargers may take several hours to complete a charge. High-rate chargers may restore most capacity much faster, but high rate chargers can be more than some battery types can tolerate. Such batteries require active monitoring of the battery to protect it from overcharging. Electric vehicles ideally need high-rate chargers. For public access, installation of such chargers and the distribution support for them is an issue in the proposed adoption of electric cars.

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  1. C

    Designing 24V 3A Charger - Circuit Ideas

    I'm designing a 24V charger at 3A.Can you show me any circuit?Thanks
  2. S

    Rail Gun using disposible camera's flash charger

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  3. N

    Will this 2.2 watt solar charger charge my booster pack?

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  4. M

    Testing a Car Battery Charger for 6-12V Batteries

    I have a car battery charger (for 6 or 12 volt batteries), that I don't know for sure if it works or not. I want to use it for a power supply in an electrolytic cell, so I decided to test it out to see if it worked. When I hook it up and plug it in, nothing happens, the needed doesn't jump on...
  5. R

    Building a Battery Charger with Car Alternator

    hi i wish to build a battery charger using a 3/4hp240voltac motor driving a 55amp car alternator will this work has anyone done this before and will my caravan batteries be oka i have a gen set to drive the electric motor all these questions i hope to be reveled rolly
  6. I

    Can I Use the Same Car Charger for Both Laptops?

    I have two laptop computers but a car charger for only one of them. The charger says it produces 18.5V 4.9amps. Will this be OK for the other laptop - the specific charger sold by the manufacturer produces 18.5V 2.5amps. Thanks!
  7. S

    DIY Portable 300V Capacitor Charger

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