How To Properly Charge 12V Lead Acid Batteries

Lead acid batteries are the most common type of battery around. They have been in use for over a hundred years. There are all kinds of different chargers out there but using the wrong charger can significantly shorten battery life.
In this video I go through a full and proper charging cycle for a 12V lead acid battery. I use a simple 12V charger that does everything right. Along the way I highlight the key considerations for charging a lead acid battery and for selecting an appropriate charger.

[@walterwhite1969]

Excellent. I usually charge lead-acid batteries with a constant current/voltage source. In the first stage, I charge at the recommended voltage of 14.4V to 14.8V, depending on what the manufacturer recommends, but I usually leave it at a maximum of 10% of the nominal current, or even less, for large-capacity batteries. Then, when I notice a low current consumption, I move on to the float stage, which varies between 13.4 to 13.7V, depending on the manufacturer. I always choose a slow charge in order to maintain the maximum battery life. In situations where I have not used the batteries for some time, every three months, I try to maintain the float charge for a maximum of 0.1C, 12 hours or more, the time that I notice a low current consumption, of 100mA or 50mA, depending on the battery capacity. And this charger does most likely te same, but with more current, to 1.5A limit.

[@jtechlabs1]

Yes, that's the way to do it. Battery University recommends topping up stored batteries when the open circuit voltage drops below 12.3 V

[@wanderingandroid]

would be really interesting to see how those MOTOPOWER chargers on amazon compare to the one in this video.

[@jtechlabs1]

Thanks for the suggestion. I will order one.

[@wanderingandroid]

@@jtechlabs1 they have a 800ma, 1000ma and 1.5ma in amazon all for under $20 right now. i dunno why anyone would want a charger as slow as 800ma. but it seems like most people are happy with the product. just curious what the performance of the product is especially the maintaining function.

[@jtechlabs1]

I am testing the 800mA now and plan to release the video on Friday.

[@wanderingandroid]

@@jtechlabs1 that was quick... looking forward to it!