Many modern devices do not operate on an electrical network, but on a battery that stores energy. Cars, mobile phones, players, etc. are arranged according to this principle. Different types of chargers are used to service technicians. They can be used for industrial purposes, as well as for servicing home portable devices.
Main types
There are different classifications of battery chargers. They are all based on different parameters and properties of the devices. Depending on how they work, there are 2 types:
In addition, chargers are usually subdivided according to their operating speed. ... Taking into account this criterion, the following types are distinguished:
Pulse devices
These devices are designed to charge small household appliances. They are equipped with an electronic timer that can operate for 4 hours in quick charge mode. During this period, almost any discharged battery gains its capacity.
After this time, the device goes into pulse charging mode. Energy is supplied to the terminal elements of the device to maintain the charge level.
The advantages of such models are as follows:
- Low cost.
- Technical simplicity.
- Ease of use.
Typically, manufacturers set the timer based on the fact that the battery is completely discharged. If it was partially discharged, then there is a risk of damage to the battery by excessive current. This feature does not apply to branded batteries for mobile phones, tablets and other digital equipment, unless they are charged using universal devices.
The most advanced in their line are the types of chargers with microprocessors. They do not allow recharging the battery, so they can be used to work with any devices, even if they are not completely discharged, but partially. The disadvantages of such models include a very high price.
It is highly undesirable to replace a branded device from a phone or PDA with a universal one, since they may have differences in the structure of electrical connectors. When connecting to the charging of any household appliance, the charger itself is first connected to the network, and then a phone or other device is connected to it.
Car attachments
All devices for charging car batteries are usually divided into several groups. Based on the existing classification, there are:
When choosing a charger for cars, you should take into account some of the features of its operation. If possible, then it is better to give preference to the charging and starting option. With such a device and an electrical outlet at hand, you can always start the car without waiting for the battery to be fully charged.
When buying a charger, it is better to choose a model that exceeds the battery requirements by about 10%. For those who are not strong in electrical engineering, the automatic model is more suitable - although it costs a little more, it will help to avoid unnecessary difficulties.
It is better to buy a device in trusted stores, preferring reliable manufacturers. Before using the device, be sure to read the instructions.
An article on how to choose a car battery charger. Types of devices, important nuances of choice. At the end of the article - a video about a simple do-it-yourself battery charger.
The content of the article:
A modern car is equipped with an increasing number of devices that are powered by the on-board network. The role of the battery is to provide additional energy in situations where the generator cannot handle the loads. And rechargeable batteries, as a rule, run out at the most inopportune moment. Especially in the winter. And unlike batteries of other electrical appliances, batteries for a car are not equipped with a charger; you have to buy it separately.
Varieties of chargers and their features
Z / y have several classifications and, depending on their type, are endowed with certain qualities.
By charging method devices are divided into 3 categories:
Fixed current method
Such devices charge the battery to the limit and rather quickly. However, at the end of the procedure, the electrolyte tends to heat up excessively, and this reduces the life of the battery, provoking accelerated aging.
Constant voltage method
In this case, the electrolyte maintains the required temperature and there is no need to control the charging process, since with this scheme the device maintains a given voltage level. The disadvantages include a decrease in voltage at the end of the process. This prevents the battery from being charged to the maximum possible extent.
Combined method
It combines the two options described above - at the beginning, the process proceeds at a fixed current value, and at the end it switches to voltage stabilization. This tandem makes this type of device the most effective and in demand.
By charging method s / s are divided into 2 categories:
Transformer type devices
In everyday life, they are unlikely to meet, since they have impressive dimensions and an equally impressive weight. Their purpose is to convert 220V current into direct current (12V).
Pulse
The principle of operation is similar to the previous version, but this version is compact and lightweight. Therefore, they are ideal for home use.
Depending on the model, impulse devices can have:
- end of charge indicator;
- indicator of incorrect connection (polarity reversal);
- short circuit protection function,
- automatic charging function;
- reverse polarity protection function, etc.
Transformer models are cheaper, however, in addition to the disadvantages described above, they also require control during operation. Therefore, the impulse option is preferable.
Depending on the power source, s / y are divided into 3 categories.
Powered by the electrical network
If the car is in a garage, where electricity is supplied, then this option is the simplest, most convenient and reliable. In this case, the battery can be recharged while the machine is not in use.
Cigarette lighter
The disadvantages include the fact that with prolonged and / or intensive (in some models, the speed is regulated) recharge, there is a risk of overloading the on-board network.
But on the other hand, in case of unforeseen situations, you can charge the battery at any time and anywhere.
Solar powered
They are rarely used, since high-quality products are expensive, and cheap ones, as a rule, are ineffective and short-lived.
And of course, they need sunlight to work. The solar model can be useful as an auxiliary option. For example, for those who have a network charger, but often find themselves “far from the outlet”. For example, a fisherman, a lover of outdoor recreation or a hunter will probably need such a device.
According to the purpose, s / y are subdivided into 2 types.
Charging-starting (or starting-charging)
They perform the function of not only recharging, but also starting the engine - they work in two modes: automatic and maximum current output mode.
Some models are universal, with their help you can restore the operation of the internal combustion engine, charge your phone, laptop and other devices. You just need to have a set of plugs of the right size.
It is important to follow the rules of operation and use the device for its intended purpose only after the terminals are disconnected from the on-board network.
Charging and prestarting
They are used only for charging the battery, they cannot start the engine with their help. This is due to the fact that the devices are characterized by a small value of the operating current. The plus is that when using them, there is no need to disconnect from the onboard network.
What to consider when choosing
Before proceeding with the purchase of spare parts, you should carefully study the documents for a specific battery and car (in particular, the parameters of the onboard network). This will allow you to avoid many difficulties and make your requests more specific. In fact, the information specified in the instructions is enough to find the right device. However, there are some minor nuances that should be considered when choosing.
Counterfeit
There are few products that can win the competition with chargers in terms of the number of counterfeits. Therefore, it is best to buy devices from authorized dealers, or at least from reputable retail outlets.
If you have decided on a specific brand, you should search the Internet for information about the features of the brand and its copies. It may not be possible to determine a high-quality fake in this way, but it is quite possible to rid yourself of low-grade Asian consumer goods.
Possibilities
It is better to get a charger with a small (just a small one, you shouldn't be too zealous) current supply. Such an acquisition has two advantages: the device does not have to work at the limit of its capabilities, and if the battery is replaced with a model with a higher capacity, there will be no need to change the charger.
Indication
It happens LED and instrument. LED does not differ with such accuracy, but it is quite enough for domestic use.
Auto mode
If possible, preference should be given to the automated option. This will relieve the owner of the need to control the operation of the device and the possible consequences.
Manufacturer country
Many domestic products are not inferior in their characteristics to foreign counterparts, so it is worth taking a closer look at Russian products. It not only gains in price, but the risk of buying a fake is practically zero. But even a domestic device inferior in quality is better than a fake prestigious brand.
Transmission
For a car with automatic transmission, the best option would be a pre-starting device, since it does not need to necessarily disconnect the power source from the onboard network.
Maintenance-free batteries
Wrong connection protection
In the case of the so-called polarity reversal, the function will help not only prevent damage to the battery, but also the charger itself.
Desulfation function
Allows the recovery of a battery with lead sulphate formations on the plates.
Rated charge current
The rated current is the current that is 10% of the battery capacity. Having information about the battery (can be found in the documents or on the case of the product), it will not be difficult to calculate the required power of the charger.
For example, a 6A charger will fit most 60-70Ah batteries in cars. But for a truck or jeep, you will have to look for a more powerful device.
Battery type
If you have a lead-acid battery (WET), it will need a special device. For batteries of other varieties, any charger is suitable, however, their features should be taken into account.
Gel batteries (GEL) and electrolyte-impregnated batteries (AGM) are sensitive to temperature extremes and overheating. For them, you need a charger with a current adjustment function and an extended temperature range.
But it's best not to experiment and get a charger recommended by the manufacturer.
Conclusion
Some motorists rely on the alternator, seeing battery health as a minor issue. However, the presence of a charger can greatly facilitate the life of the driver, because you never know how soon the help of the battery will be needed and when it will be completely discharged. And for this, sometimes it is enough to leave the side lights on at night or park the car at the entrance for a while with the alarm on.
All chargers can be divided into 3 types. The simplest are non-automatic devices with a power supply unit. This is a transformer-type power supply. These chargers do not have battery protection circuits. They can be distinguished by their large size and weight. As for transformer chargers, they are very reliable and durable. But they are not as safe. They lead to overheating of the battery, as well as the boil-off of the electrolyte. As a result, and sometimes the battery cells are destroyed. Today, large transformer chargers are almost completely out of use.
Modern mobile devices, in addition to a convenient miniature power supply, have a simple and functional Android OS. Now on the Internet you can find many sites offering Android 236 games and a lot of different applications for work and play. These games are perfect for smartphones and tablets, giving their users a few hours of pleasantly spent leisure time.
Impulse chargers
Today, the most popular chargers are designed for portable equipment. These are automatic impulse chargers with an electronic timer. At the same time, the charger timer is capable of operating in fast charge mode for about four hours. During this period, a discharged battery is able to gain the main part of its capacity. After that, the timer switches the charger to pulse charging mode. In this case, electrical energy is supplied in small portions to the terminals of the battery cells in order to maintain it in a charged state.
Timer chargers are simple and inexpensive. They are also quite convenient. However, they still need to be used with caution. Please note that the timer is set by the manufacturer for the period of charging a fully discharged battery. If you insert a battery that is partially discharged into the slot of the device, then a recharge will occur, and as a result, the battery may be damaged by excess current.
In cellular devices, as well as in PDAs, digital players and other equipment with a proprietary battery, this rule does not apply. But if you use universal chargers, then this rule should be taken into account.
Please note that a full discharge is very dangerous for any battery, and primarily for lithium-ion batteries. They can even fail due to full discharge. Please note that the device should be recharged from time to time when not in use.
The most advanced and versatile are chargers with microprocessor control. They can charge any type of battery.
They prevent overcharging of the batteries. They can be used to charge any partially discharged batteries. But keep in mind that these chargers are very expensive.
Replacing a branded cell phone charger with a universal one is undesirable due to the difference in electrical connectors and possible errors. Branded chargers are created specifically for a particular type of battery. So this should be taken into account.
How to connect the charger correctly? In the case of cell phones, the sequence is as follows - first you have to connect the charger to the mains, then the phone to the charger. Otherwise, you could harm your phone.
- the only simple means to restore its performance. Of course, in the event of its discharge, and not final breakdown. To solve the second case, special recovery methods are provided, which we will discuss below, after features of chargers(Memory).
It would seem that chargers do not have a lot of features, but this is not the case. Before listing them, let's divide chargers into two categories: the first is amateur, the second is professional. Amateur storage devices include inexpensive portable storage devices that are intended for personal use. Accordingly, professional chargers are used for comprehensive maintenance of all types of batteries, which allow you to simultaneously charge and restore multiple batteries.
So, the features of amateur chargers are as follows:
- 1) Automation
- 2) Reverse polarity protection
- 3) Ability to start the car engine
- 4) Possibility of desulfation
- 5) Multiple charge modes
- 6) Small size and weight
Automation allows you to charge the battery without controlling the process. This greatly facilitates the task for people who are not very versed in physics, since initially there were only such methods of charging where knowledge in this area is necessary. Reverse polarity protection is also a very useful feature of the charger. It prevents damage to both the memory chips and the battery. By the way, polarity reversal is an incorrect connection of the charger wires to the battery terminals.
Starting chargers(or starting and charging) are designed not only for charging the battery, but also for starting a car engine in an emergency. These ROMs are very useful for frequent trips outside the city.
If the charger has the function desulfation, then it is able to restore the battery, on the plates of which lead sulfate has formed, which blocks electrons. Desulfation removes this sulfate from the plates and the battery can function again.
Several battery charging modes make it possible to charge in exactly the way you want - at constant voltage, constant current or combined. Small overall dimensions and weight provide the device with mobility. It can be easily transported in a car or carried by hand.
Professional chargers have the above functions, with the exception of small dimensions and weight. Also, such storage devices are often stationary.
When they talk about the use of electrical energy in everyday life, in production or transport, they mean the work of electric current. Electric current is supplied to the consumer from the power plant through wires. Therefore, when electric lamps suddenly go out in houses or the movement of electric trains, trolley buses stops, they say that the current has disappeared in the wires.
What is electric current and what is necessary for its occurrence and existence during the time we need?
The word "current" means movement or flow of something.
What can move in the wires connecting the power plant with consumers of electrical energy?
We already know that there are electrons in bodies, the motion of which explains various electrical phenomena (see § 30). Electrons have a negative electrical charge. Larger particles of matter - ions - can also have electric charges. Consequently, various charged particles can move in conductors.
The ordered (directed) movement of charged particles is called electric current.
To get an electric current in a conductor, you need to create an electric field in it. Under the action of this field, charged particles, which can freely move in the conductor, will come into motion in the direction of the action of electric forces on them. An electric current will be generated.
In order for the electric current in a conductor to exist for a long time, it is necessary to maintain an electric field in it all this time. The electric field in the conductors is created and can be maintained for a long time sources of electric current.
Sources of current are different, but in each of them work is done to separate positively and negatively charged particles. Separated particles accumulate on poles current source. This is the name of the places to which conductors are connected using terminals or clamps. One pole of the current source is charged positively, the other negatively. If the poles of the source are connected by a conductor, then under the action of an electric field, free charged particles in the conductor will begin to move in a certain direction, and an electric current will arise.
Rice. 44. Electrophoric machine
Rice. 45. Conversion of internal energy into electrical energy
In current sources, in the process of separating charged particles, mechanical, internal or some other energy is converted into electrical energy. So, for example, in electrophore machine(Fig. 44) mechanical energy is converted into electrical energy. It is possible to carry out the transformation of internal energy into electrical energy. If two wires made of different metals are soldered, and then the junction is heated, then an electric current will arise in the wires (Fig. 45). Such a current source is called thermoelement... In it, the internal energy of the heater is converted into electrical energy. When some substances are illuminated, for example, selenium, copper (I) oxide, silicon, a loss of negative electrical charge is observed (Fig. 46). This phenomenon is called photoeffect... The device and action are based on it photocells... Thermocouples and photocells are studied in the high school physics course.
Rice. 46. Conversion of radiation energy into electrical
Let us consider in more detail the structure and operation of two current sources - galvanic cell and battery, which we will use in experiments on electricity.
In a galvanic cell (Fig. 47, a), chemical reactions take place, and the internal energy released during these reactions is converted into electrical energy. The element shown in Figure 47, b consists of a zinc vessel (body) C. A carbon rod U is inserted into the body, which has a metal cover M. The rod is placed in a mixture of manganese (IV) oxide Mn0 2 and crushed carbon C. Space between the zinc body and a mixture of manganese oxide with carbon filled with a jelly-like salt solution (ammonium chloride NH 4 CI) P.
Rice. 47. Galvanic cell (battery)
During the chemical reaction of zinc Zn with ammonium chloride NH4CI, the zinc vessel becomes negatively charged.
Manganese oxide carries a positive charge, and the carbon rod inserted into it is used to transfer the positive charge.
Between a charged carbon rod and a zinc vessel, which are called electrodes, an electric field appears. If a carbon rod and a zinc vessel are connected by a conductor, then free electrons will come into ordered motion along the entire length under the action of an electric field. An electric current will be generated.
Galvanic cells are the most widespread direct current sources in the world. Their advantage is convenience and safety in use.
In everyday life, batteries are often used that can be recharged many times - accumulators(from lat. accumulator - to accumulate). The simplest battery consists of two lead plates (electrodes) placed in a sulfuric acid solution.
In order for the battery to become a source of current, it must be charged. For charging, a direct current is passed through the battery from some source. During the charging process, as a result of chemical reactions, one electrode becomes positively charged, and the other negatively. When the battery is charged, it can be used as an independent power source. Battery poles are marked with "+" and "-" signs. When charging, the positive pole of the battery is connected to the positive pole of the current source, the negative pole to the negative pole.
In addition to lead, or acid, batteries, nickel-iron or alkaline batteries are widely used. They use an alkali solution and plates - one of compressed iron powder, the other of nickel peroxide. Figure 48 shows a modern battery.
Rice. 48. Battery
Batteries have a wide and varied application. They serve to power the lighting network of railway cars, cars, to start a car engine. The battery packs power the submarine underwater. Radio transmitters and scientific equipment on artificial earth satellites are also powered by batteries installed on the satellite.
a - a mobile phone; b - laptop
In power plants, electric current is obtained using generators(from Lat. generator - creator, manufacturer). This electric current is used in industry, transport, and agriculture.
Questions
- What is Electric Current?
- What needs to be created in a conductor for a current to arise and exist in it?
- What energy transformations take place inside the current source?
- How does a dry cell work?
- What are the positive and negative poles of a battery?
- How does the battery work?
- Where are batteries used?
Exercise
- Use the Internet to find what types of chargers exist and highlight their features.
- Prepare a presentation on battery applications.
