RE: [A/S] 1972 Modern intelligent power converter vs. Battery Charger

["Oliver Filippi" <ofilippi@xxxxxxxxxxxx>]

Yes, a battery charger will do in a pinch.

However - it really isn't a match for a modern three stage converter [like
an Intili-sync with the Charge Wizard].

A trickle charger, used for an extended period of time MIGHT boil off the
electrolyte (water), which can be a real problem, especially with the
"maintenance free" batteries which have sealed tops (so you can't add
water).  This could happen if the trickle charger puts out a high voltage
(over 12 volts or so).

More likely, the trickle charger will not fully charge the battery (since
the charger voltage isn't high enough).  Also, after a prolonged charge, the
battery electrolyte will stratify (the battery acid will form layers of
differing concentrations of acid) which will cause the battery to have an
even lesser charge.

Finally, the trickle charger will take a long time to bring a low charged
battery up to a more fully charged state.

Modern intelligent chargers do three things:

1. Charge a low battery fast -  with a higher voltage and heavy current, but
monitor the condition of the battery (temperature and electrical resistance)
in order to maximize the charge rate but not "cook" or otherwise damage the
battery.

2. Automatically switch to trickle, once the battery is charged, cutting
back the charge so as not to boil off any electrolyte.

3. Periodically (once every couple of days for ten minutes or so) jolt the
fully charged battery with a heavy charge to stir up the electrolyte so it
doesn't stratify, thereby maintaining the battery in a peak charged state.

I am sure that some of the better battery charges probably have some of the
above features. But understand that they are not designed for continuous
converter operation, so the manufacturer is unlikely to include all the
features of a modern converter in the intermittent use battery charger.

Note that old Univolts were basically heavy duty trickle chargers (which put
out a voltage on the high side for a trickle charger). Thus, they could boil
off the electrolyte (and be deadly on "maintenance free" batteries.

Oliver Filippi