Which One is For You?

There are many kinds and capacities of battery chargers. However, there are three major types - One-stage, two-stage and three-stage chargers.

The ordinary one-stage charger you buy from the local auto-parts store is inexpensive, but it charges slowly and cannot completely re-charge a battery to its rated capacity. There are no automatic voltage or current shifts during the charge cycle and without monitoring, overvoltage and water loss can cause premature battery failure. Analytic Systems does not make nor recommend one-stage chargers because they easily damage the battery by warping its plates or boiling it dry, effectively destroying it. A two or three-stage charger is recommended because both adjust current and voltage according to the battery's requirements.

The choice is between a two or three-stage charger, depending upon its use:

A two-stage charger provides a constant current until the battery reaches its rated capacity and then switches to a "float" voltage. The current then reduces as necessary to maintain the battery at the float voltage. The charger can be connected to the battery indefinitely. A two-stage charger is recommended in most instances since it is the most versatile and can be permanently connected to attenuate the characteristic discharge of unused batteries. A load can be put on the battery or batteries without altering its ability to keep the battery at optimal charge.

A three-stage charger is the most complete charger. It charges the battery at a constant current until the battery voltage reaches a slightly elevated level. The battery is maintained at this voltage while the charging current diminishes to a low value, and then the battery is switched to the float voltage where it can be maintained indefinitely. However, the charger cannot differentiate between a current going to a load on the battery, or being absorbed by the battery, so it can overcharge a battery supplying current to a load. A two-stage charger is preferred for "loaded" batteries and a three-stage for idle or "unloaded" batteries during recharging. Analytic Systems chargers which offer 3 stage charging can be switched to 2 stage if required by simply moving a slide switch.

Equalize cycle recharges weak battery cells: One additional Charging cycle is available on certain charger models. This is called the 'equalize' cycle. An equalize cycle is manually initiated by pressing a switch on the charger. The charger will wait until it reaches the end of the absorption stage before beginning the equalize. Once equalize begins the charger applies a current of 10% of maximum (ie. 4 amps for a 40 amp charger) for 3 hours or until the battery voltage reaches 30% above nominal (15.6 volts for a 12V battery). The purpose of this cycle is to deliberately overcharge the good cells of a battery while allowing a weak cell to be fully charged. As this deliberate overcharging of the battery causes some water loss, it should only be performed once per month or when battery capacity appears to be diminished.

In addition as the battery temperature is elevated by this cycle, a temperature sensor is supplied to monitor battery temperature. It serves to modify the charging voltage of all cycles according to battery temperature, as well as shutting the charger off if the battery temperature exceeds 120 degrees F or 49 degrees C. This cycle is an available option on all BCA610, BCD610, BCA1000 and BCD1000 series chargers.

Analytic Systems makes many different types of chargers to meet your requirements, whether it be recreation vehicle, marine, locomotive, heavy equipment, emergency installations, airplane or helicopter use. They are available as two-stage or two and three-stage chargers capable of charging one or two banks of 6, 12, 16, 24, 32, 36, 48 or other voltage battery banks up to 48 volts and are designed to quickly charge and condition batteries. They will extend a battery's useful life andperformance so it is ready to respond when needed.All of Analytic Systems' chargers include adjustable output voltage for charging standard or deep cycle lead-acid, VLRA or gel cell type batteries.

The BCA610, BCA1000, BCD610 and BCD1000 series chargers are available with up to 2 optional high quality meters. These can be 2 ammeters for monitoring the charging current in each bank of batteries, one ammeter and one voltmeter to monitor overall charging, or 2 voltmeters to monitor the voltage in each bank of batteries. All models (except portable) are available with an optional remote control. This allows on/off control as well as audible and visual indicators of power on, charging, input undervoltage, output undervoltage and charger over-temperature from any convenient location.

Charger Sizing

Your battery manufacturer is the best source of information regarding the charging amps to best recharge your battery. If you don't have this information, we recommend you divide the amp-hours of the battery or battery bank by 4 and by 6. This will give you the range of charger sizes which will provide reasonable recharge times without overheating the batteries. For example, a 100 AH 12V battery could be charged by a 16 amp to 25 amp charger. From 110 VAC, you would choose the BCA310-110-12 (20 amp) for this battery.

Analytic Systems makes two stage or two/three-stage chargers with the following features:

Longest guarantee in the business AC or DC sources available Portable or fixed installations Available in 110 & 220 volt AC source Available in 12 to 360 volt DC source Reverse polarity protection Over-Temperature protection Short circuit protection Remote controls available

Robust, reliable construction Integrated circuits Overload protection Advanced, compact designs 300, 600 or 1000 watts of charging power One or two independent battery banks Spark Free connection to the batteries Dry Contact 'Charger Fail' Relay standard on all models

Care, Feeding & Motivation of Your Battery

A stored or unemployed battery will self-discharge. Typically, a lead-acid battery will lose between 0.5 to 1.0% of its charge every day it sits idle, waiting for your attention. In less than 3 months, it will have pined away to half its rated capacity. In just over 5 months it will be dead. The lonely lead-calcium (sealed type) will grieve away at 0.15 to 0.3% per day. So, just from indolence, your brand-new battery will not meet half of your expectations after 7 months of idleness. Don't allow your battery to sulk and learn bad behaviour. Keep it interested and happy in its work. Extend its life. Give it a two or three stage charger for company.