Like the AGM battery charger, the deep cycle battery charger is used to charge the deep cycle battery. This lead-acid battery is designed to provide a long-term continuous power supply and is ideal for applications that require fast start-up. These batteries are commonly used in marine applications, recreational vehicles, material handling, golf carts, and renewable energy off the grid.
Sometimes, when your deep cycle battery is lower than the voltage, it needs to run your boat, golf cart, or electronic equipment. You need a special charger to restore the battery to normal voltage. The deep cycle battery charger works by charging the battery, optimizing the charging rate, and stopping when the battery is full.
Keeping the battery charged ensures that your battery has a long life and prevents premature failure. These batteries operate reliably until 80% or more are discharged and need to be recharged. Although deep cycle batteries can discharge up to 80%, most manufacturers do not recommend discharging less than 45% to extend battery life.
To ensure that you buy the right charger for the deep cycle battery, there are some things to consider, such as how long it will take to charge the battery. You need to consider the correct voltage of the deep cycle battery and set the charger accordingly. A good battery deep cycle charger will help prevent battery failure.
Many 12v chargers have a reverse pulse function that reduces impedance and temperature when charging the battery. If you do not use a smart charger, know the correct voltage of the deep cycle battery and adjust the charger for it.
The charge rate of the AGM battery is 14.7V. Remember not to overcharge the battery, as this can damage its internal structure and reduce efficiency.
The deep cycle battery charger is responsible for charging the battery, optimizing the charging rate, and stopping when the battery reaches full charge.
The charging current of the liquid-rich lead-acid battery should be at least 10% of the ampere-hour rating, or the charging current of the AGM lead-acid battery should be as high as 30%.
The smart charger can be used with most batteries and uses the battery voltage to check the battery type and the required charge. Look for a charger with reverse pulse technology, as it helps to lower the battery temperature when charging.
Charging time is based on the number of ampere-hours in its store. To calculate, divide the ampere-hour rating of the battery by the ampere-hour rating of the charger. You will estimate the time it takes to fully charge.
Overcharging must be avoided, which can lead to grid corrosion and shorten battery life. The resulting overheating can also cause the plates in the cell to bend and shed their active material.
Regular or conventional lead-acid battery chargers are meant specifically for flooded or wet lead-acid batteries, such as those commonly used in cars.
A regular charger is essentially a current-limited voltage source. This technical expression means that the charger tries to output a certain voltage, typically 14.4V for 12V batteries, but actually puts out something less if the battery takes a substantial current.
This charger behavior results in what is called a CCCV charging cycle, which stands for Controlled-Current–Controlled-Voltage. The cycle works roughly like follows:
1. CC stage: When starting to charge a drained battery (0%…80%), which readily takes in a lot of current, the charger works against its current limit. It puts out its full amperage, and the actual charging voltage is determined by the battery.
2. CV stage: When the battery approaches full capacity (90% or so) and draws less and less current, the charger puts out a constant voltage.
The CC stage restores the main part of the battery capacity, and the CV stage does the finishing and conditioning that are vital to battery health.
Admittedly this account is a bit idealized, as most regular chargers actually have a smooth roll-off from CC to CV instead of a sharp switch, but the principle is still the same.
Compared to the 3-stage smart charger, the CC stage corresponds to the bulk charge stage of a smart charger, and the CV to the absorption charge, roughly speaking.