http://www.tbandcs.co.uk TB and CS supply new and refurbished batteries and chargers - Industrial battery chargers, battery chargers, industrial batteries, charger servicing and charger repair. Blackheath Trading Est, Unit 3A Cakemore Rd Rowley Regis West Midlands B65 0QN Telephone: 0121 559 7910 Email: tbandcs@btconnect.com

1. Battery chargers: fixing the
weakest link

2. • Batteries consist of individual battery cells connected in
series or parallel or in a combination of both to obtain the
required voltage and capacity. Cells connected in series
have positive terminals connected to negative terminals
while those connected in parallel have like terminals
connected to each other (i.e. negative to negative and
positive to positive). Since no manufacturing process is a
hundred percent efficient, batteries, like other
manufactured products, have variations between the
capacities of each individual cell. This variation tends to
increase as the battery usage racks up. Given that the
cells in the chain making up the battery are not all
exactly identical the battery is only as strong as the
weakest cell in the chain.

3. • Unlike the popular tv show though we can’t simply wave
goodbye and dismiss the weakest link, we need to find a
way of trying to keep the cells all operating at their peak
capacity. In order to correct cell capacity differences, a
process called ‘equalizing’ can be used when charging
batteries, where the battery charger, for short periods,
raises the charging voltage for the whole battery allowing
all cells, even the weakest link, to accept more current
than usual. The normal charging voltage delivered by a
battery charger is referred to as the ‘float’ voltage. Float
chargers usually work at a low voltage thereby keeping
the charging current low and consequently reducing the
damaging effects brought about by high current
overcharging.

4. • When buying an industrial battery charger it pays to
carefully assess your needs and current usage to
determine which charger type will match your
requirements. In the world of battery chargers, capacity
reigns over efficiency. Capacity is measured in Ampere-
hours. An Ampere-hour (Ah) is a unit of electric charge
equal to the electric charge transferred by a steady
current of one ampere for one hour. Small capacity
chargers generally cost less than larger capacity
chargers. Charger prices also vary depending on
whether they are one phase or three phase devices.

5. • Once the charger has been purchased additional factors
to consider are charger servicing, placement and staff
training. Chargers should be located in a suitable
position where they can easily be connected and
serviced. The manufacturer can provide battery charger
servicing, inspection, maintenance and safety
recommendations. In an industrial setting only
authorized staff who have been trained in the proper use
of the charger should be allowed to operate it. It is also
essential to engage a professional battery charger
service provider to ensure that the charger operates
efficiently for as long as possible.

6. • Once the charger has been purchased additional factors
to consider are charger servicing, placement and staff
training. Chargers should be located in a suitable
position where they can easily be connected and
serviced. The manufacturer can provide battery charger
servicing, inspection, maintenance and safety
recommendations. In an industrial setting only
authorized staff who have been trained in the proper use
of the charger should be allowed to operate it. It is also
essential to engage a professional battery charger
service provider to ensure that the charger operates
efficiently for as long as possible.