Automatic car battery charger: reviews, types, features of choice and models

2024 Author: Erin Ralphs | [email protected]. Last modified: 2024-02-19 11:42

Every motorist should have a battery charger in their garage. After all, sometimes it becomes necessary to recharge a dead battery. But there are a number of nuances here. In fact, it is not so easy to choose the right charger for a car battery. Customer reviews will help us with this. A variety of memory devices are presented on the shelves of car dealerships, which differ in functionality and cost.

Some general information

First of all, you need to figure out the type of charger. Only then will we move on to the consideration of certain models. Currently, there are only two types of memory:

• The device thatdesigned to gradually recharge the battery. Often the maximum current output does not exceed 8A. It should be understood that if you completely planted the battery and put it on charge, then immediately after that you will not be able to start the engine. Moreover, it may damage the memory or trigger the protection.
• Start-charger - unlike conventional chargers, it can give a short-term powerful impulse. Such charges are used if it is necessary to quickly start the engine, but there is no time for a long charge.

You should also pay attention to consumer reviews. A car battery charger that gives a brief pulse can significantly reduce the capacity of the battery. This is due to the fact that at some point the starting current will be too high, this can lead to partial destruction of the plates.

Manual and automatic current adjustment

Even 10-12 years ago, few people heard about automatic memory. Almost everyone used manual. Such a device made it possible to choose the starting current independently. The advantage of such a charger was that with its help it was possible to return to life even batteries that had been in a deep discharge for a long time.

As for automatic memory, which we, in fact, will talk about in this article, this is a more expensive device, but it is also much more convenient to use. This is due to the fact that in the first hours charging takes place under a large startingcurrent. Gradually, it decreases, which has a beneficial effect on the performance of the battery. But to restore a battery that has been in a deep discharge for a long time, such a device will not work. This is due to the fact that a dead battery does not accept charging at first, so the automation will not work and the current will not flow.

A little about the desulfation mode

This feature is usually present only in expensive models with advanced features. In the process of using a lead-acid type battery, lead sulfate crystals inevitably appear on its plates. They are extremely difficult to dissolve, especially if the battery has been in a deep discharge for a long time. Due to lead sulfate, not only the capacity of the battery is reduced, but also the current output. In the future, it is problematic to charge such a battery.

The desulfation charger allows you to remove crystals from the wafers. This is achieved by supplying short-term powerful pulses with further connection to the load. In fact, the cycle of charge / discharge is repeated. This approach in 80% of cases helps to reanimate the battery, which, in fact, is what driver reviews say. A car battery charger with desulfation function is more expensive, but such a purchase is fully justified.

Model "KEDR-AUTO-10"

At present, this automatic car battery charger, which reviews mostly positive among motorists, is considered one of the most popular on the market. This is partly due to the smallthe cost of the unit, while the functionality is quite extensive. There is even a simple but effective desulfation mode that allows you to restore deeply discharged batteries.

"KEDR-AUTO-10" works in automatic mode. The starting current at the very beginning of charging is 5A and gradually decreases. There is also a prelaunch mode. It allows you to quickly charge the battery. In this case, the starting current at the start is 10A. After some time, it turns off, and further charging is carried out under a current of 5A. As for desulfation, the process proceeds under pulses of 5A with variable pauses. Since the device does not provide for a load connection, motorists recommend connecting an ordinary light bulb. There is a built-in ammeter for convenient control of the degree of charge.

Orion charger for car battery: consumer reviews

Of all the models that we will consider, Orion PW-150 is the cheapest device. The memory costs about a thousand rubles, which, in fact, is quite inexpensive. The appearance is quite unusual. The fact is that there are no regulators and current indicators.

Owners have only two indicator lights on the front panel. One signals the battery charge level, and the second goes out only after the device is turned off. This memory can be called one of the most highly specialized. The range of battery capacities that Orion can handle is 45-70 Ah. Automationnot designed for more powerful models. There is no desulfation mode and the ability to quickly charge the battery. Also, it will not be possible to bring a deeply discharged battery back to life. This is due to the fact that the battery at the beginning of the cycle practically does not receive current, and the automation perceives this as if the battery is fully charged and turns off. The device is small enough to be easily carried around.

Overview model "Orion" PW-265

This is another representative of the Orion trademark. This model costs about 1,300 rubles and is in great demand among motorists, as evidenced by the reviews. Starter charger for car battery PW-265 has a number of advantages. Firstly, it is possible to adjust the maximum starting current. Therefore, such a memory is perfect for use not only on passenger cars, but also on motorcycles. The maximum starting current is 6A, which is more than enough to work with batteries up to 100 Ah.

As for the design features, the creators of this model have installed protection against overheating and short circuit. The case is very compact and durable, storing it at home in a pantry or on a balcony is not a problem. It is difficult to call "crocodiles" of high quality, but they completely cope with their task. As for the disadvantages, this is the lack of a desulfation mode. Otherwise, this is an excellent charger for the money.

Second place ranking - ZPU 135

Equipment of this kind is not cheap. Many motorists prefer simpler models. But ZPU 135 is praised by almost everything, which is confirmed by the relevant reviews. Charging and starting devices for car batteries of this kind can be bought for about 4,000 rubles. This charger comes from Tambov and has a capacity of up to 13A. Such a device can charge heavy equipment batteries up to 170 Ah. It is noteworthy that you can work with both 12 and 24 Volt batteries. ZPU 135 is a universal charger at an affordable price. Many car services or enterprises prefer this particular model.

As for the shortcomings, then there is only one, and even that is insignificant. The downside is that there is no short circuit protection, so you need to be careful when connecting the terminals. Otherwise, this is an excellent choice for both ordinary motorists and service stations.

TOP-1: "Sonar" UZP-210

Despite the fact that the UZP-210 costs 1 thousand rubles less than the ZPU-315, it is this model that occupies a leading position and has only positive reviews. Charger for car battery "Sonar" is made according to modern technologies and has a pulse voltage converter. In addition, "Sonar" has a small size, as well as the following advantages:

• Start charging from maximum current with high voltage. This allows you to revive the battery and quickly recharge it.
• BIn standard mode, the current gradually decreases to the minimum.
• When the battery is fully charged, the device switches to buffer mode (maintaining charge).

But the most important advantage is that the device can operate in "booster" mode, that is, completely autonomous. Therefore, you can use it even where there is no 220V outlet. True, the capacity of the batteries built into the memory is small, about 14 Ah, but this is quite enough to start a working car engine.

Some more popular models

Among drivers, the Ermak car battery charger is in demand. Reviews are mostly positive. Approximately 85% of consumers recommend this product for purchase. The charger has two modes for 6 and 12V, and also allows you to manually adjust the supplied current in the range from 1 to 10 A. Two-meter wires with medium-quality alligator clips are included. There is protection against overheating, for which a small fan is installed behind the back cover. Overall, a great device that is reliable and, most importantly, simple and straightforward to use.

A few important points

Many motorists try not to buy a Chinese car battery charger. Consumer reviews say that this is a solid lottery. Therefore, it is better to give preference to domestic memory, which are inexpensive and work out the money spent by 100%. If availablefree money, you can buy a "Sonar" and carry it with you just in case. Well, if we talk about budget options, then the best choice is the Kedr car battery charger. Feedback from motorists boils down to the fact that this is a trusted manufacturer, and the quality here is at a decent level.

Summarize

So we looked at the most popular models of car chargers. As you can see, they differ not only in price, but also in functionality. For some, a device for a thousand rubles will be more than enough, while others will prefer models such as Sonar. In any case, this is a necessary thing in the garage, and at some point it will definitely come in handy.

Remember that automatic charging is safer for the battery as it does not produce too high inrush current at the end of the cycle. Manual memory loses in this regard. Usually they charge the battery with one starting current at all stages. As for desulfation, this is a useful feature, but not everyone has to use it. Although many still manage to revive the battery with this method.