Battery charger

[EFLImpudence]

My battery charger instructions state (in not at all prominent text) that it is not suitable for maintenance-free batteries.


Does this mean any battery without removable caps?

If so, what is the difference between this charger and ones which are suitable, and
how do I tell which charger is suitable without opening the box and reading the instructions?

Or need I not worry about it?

 

[Belle427]

Some good info here, the halfords chargers are switchable from lead acid to sealed. Its all about the charging rate to avoid damage.
http://www.lesterelectrical.com/news/newsletters/2006feb01.PDF
http://www.halfords.com/workshop-to...automatic-battery-charger-vehicles-up-to-2-0l

 

[Peter.N.]

Very interesting that. I can confirm that charge rate and maximum voltage can make a tremendous difference to the life of a battery. I have a couple of 12v 100 ah batteries as standby for my amateur radio gear, I bought them secondhand about 10 years ago and have used a voltage regulated charger st at 13.2 volts as 2.2 volts is what a fully charged cell should read, possibly they are being slightly undercharged but its certainly done nothing to shorten their life and as they are on float charge it is sufficient.

I did have four of them, I let my son have one for his pressure window cleaning system, a fairly fast charge every night resulted in it lasting about three months, that was a couple of years ago and the others are still going fine.

He bought a couple of replacements and they lasted no time at all but the last one he bought I made a voltage regulated charger for and he has been going fine for a year of more.

Peter