Among the marine electronics used in boats and sea vessels is the marine battery charger. It is important in maintaining marine batteries. However, one charger may not work for a certain battery since batteries used in marine environment have different capacities and maintenance requirements.
Among other things, the most crucial aspect of marine battery maintenance is proper charging. Both undercharging and overcharging can decrease battery life. Thus it is important that you know how marine batteries function in order to choose the right type of charger.
When choosing a charger you should determine first the type of the battery. Generally, the three known types of marine batteries are flooded cell, gel cell, and AGM (absorbed glass mat). These are all lead-acid batteries. But they differ in terms of costs, applications and maintenance requirements. Each thereby necessitates a certain kind of marine battery charger.
Flooded-cell batteries are said to be the most economical among the three. AGM and gel-cell types of battery are more costly but they have a better capacity to hold a charge.
Take note that your marine battery can last long provided that you observe proper charging practices. You should not also leave the battery in a discharged state for any given time. However, overcharging can also reduce battery life.
In general, lead-acid batteries must never be discharged less than 50 percent. The typical charge range for marine batteries is between 50 and 80 percent. Charging the battery from 80 to 100 percent takes more time than when you charge it from 50 to 80 percent.
Determine your marine battery specifications first before buying a charger for it. You should consider not only the type of the marine battery but as well as its amp-hour capacity and input voltage.
Since temperature also affects the charging rate of the battery, make sure that you select a marine battery charger that has temperature compensation circuitry.
Among other things, the most crucial aspect of marine battery maintenance is proper charging. Both undercharging and overcharging can decrease battery life. Thus it is important that you know how marine batteries function in order to choose the right type of charger.
When choosing a charger you should determine first the type of the battery. Generally, the three known types of marine batteries are flooded cell, gel cell, and AGM (absorbed glass mat). These are all lead-acid batteries. But they differ in terms of costs, applications and maintenance requirements. Each thereby necessitates a certain kind of marine battery charger.
Flooded-cell batteries are said to be the most economical among the three. AGM and gel-cell types of battery are more costly but they have a better capacity to hold a charge.
Take note that your marine battery can last long provided that you observe proper charging practices. You should not also leave the battery in a discharged state for any given time. However, overcharging can also reduce battery life.
In general, lead-acid batteries must never be discharged less than 50 percent. The typical charge range for marine batteries is between 50 and 80 percent. Charging the battery from 80 to 100 percent takes more time than when you charge it from 50 to 80 percent.
Determine your marine battery specifications first before buying a charger for it. You should consider not only the type of the marine battery but as well as its amp-hour capacity and input voltage.
Since temperature also affects the charging rate of the battery, make sure that you select a marine battery charger that has temperature compensation circuitry.
About the Author:
Click for further information on electronic marine navigation or electronic marine systems.
