Charging Batteries

[steve_b_wales]

After reading a thread recently regarding re-charging batteries, I want to charge mine using a trickle charger. There are a few good ones on the market, but how will I know when the battery is fully charged?

Can I get a volt meter to connect to the battery to see when it's fully charged?

 

Thanks

Steve.

[holly]

i got my trickle charger from machine mart it as a red led on it the brighter the led when charging the flatter the battery .when fully charged led is hardly visable

[shot shot]

a decent charger will have some degree of intelligence about it, and cease to charge. Cheap chargers ruin batteries and a fire hazard (trust me on that one)

[Highlander]

Thought most came with an indicator light that either goes out or comes on (depending on model) when battery is charged. Best chargers are Accumate or Optimate for the sealed batteries we use on pigeon magnets.

[Alpha Mule]

Will get you some info on a charger that is often used for motorbikes (garaged for the winter).

[Cosd]

I find slow charging prolongs the life of the battery and you also get longer use from it when out in the field. I use a 700mv charger and find this works well, though it does need a few hours (usually overnight) to fully charge my batteries. Mine has an LED indicator which lights red when fully charged.

Edited August 26, 2010 by Cosd

[Alpha Mule]

Optimate Edited August 26, 2010 by Alpha Mule

[steve_b_wales]

Will get you some info on a charger that is often used for motorbikes (garaged for the winter).

 

 

Thanks mate.

[steve_b_wales]

I find slow charging prolongs the life of the battery and you also get longer use from it when out in the field. I use a 700mv charger and find this works well, though it does need a few hours (usually overnight) to fully charge my batteries. Mine has an LED indicator which lights red when fully charged.

 

 

What make, and where did you get your charger from?

 

Thanks

[J@mes]

I have the optimate 4 for my car batteries and magent battery, its a great bit of kit and can recover even the most dead of batteries! Tells you what state it is in all the time, whether it is in recovery, charging gently, charging at a higher rate or "floating" to keep it topped up.

[steve_b_wales]

I've been using a car charger for my 17amp/hour batteries. After using it for over a year, i have just read the instructions that said not to charge any battery under 30 amps!

 

I have noticed that the batteries don't last so long when using my lamp /rota.