Battery Charger (Smart Charger)
A battery charger restores the charge of a 12 V battery from a mains socket.
What is Battery Charger (Smart Charger)?
Modern smart chargers adjust voltage and current in stages and have modes for flooded, AGM, EFB and lithium batteries. Maintenance chargers keep a stored car's battery topped up without overcharging. Many can charge the battery while it stays connected in the car.
Some chargers have a recovery mode for deeply discharged batteries, but a badly sulphated battery may not recover. Lithium starter batteries need chargers that support them.
How it works
The charger first supplies high current, then holds a set voltage and finally switches to a low float charge.
Why it matters for your car
Using the wrong mode can undercharge or overheat an AGM battery. Charge in a ventilated place, because lead-acid batteries can release hydrogen.
Other terms
- Accelerator Pedal Position Sensor
- Bonnet (Hood)
- Booster Seat (Child Booster)
- Brake Bedding-in
- Ceramic Coating
- Clay Bar (Paint Decontamination)
- Column Gear Shift
- DOHC (Double Overhead Camshaft)
- Dynamic Load Management
- Dyno Test (Dynamometer)
- EGR Valve
- End-of-Life Vehicle (Scrapping)
- Gross Vehicle Weight (GVW)
- Lowering Springs
- New Car Warranty
- Power Steering
- Top Dead Centre (TDC)
- Tow Eye (Towing Hook)
- Trade-in (Part Exchange)
- Traffic Sign Recognition