lead-acid battery charger - a two-stage design to enable fast charging without reducing the battery's lifespan

lead-acid battery charger The lead-acid battery has improved so much in recent years that it can often be a good and less expensive substitute for the popular NiCad battery. A special charger is required, however, as the lead- acid battery must be charged at a constant voltage rather than constant current. The charger described in this article uses one of two charging voltages automatically selected depending on the current flowing through the battery. In this way we get an optimal compromise between short charging time and long battery life. What springs to most people"s minds when the lead-acid battery is mentioned is the automotive version. That is a heavy box full of acid providing the energy to start the car and needing occasional maintenance to keep it healthy. Lead-acid batteries are also used for a multitude of other applications, such as large torches, small cordless household appliances, models, and, of course, as an emergency supply for important equipment in case of ma...