The battery charger is one of the pieces of equipment that can be essential for car owners. During winter, in particular, freezing temperatures and lack of use have an annoying tendency to discharge the batteries. To avoid unpleasant surprises when starting up, it may therefore be wise to purchase a
battery charger
. In addition to recharging your vehicle's battery, some models will also increase its performance and extend its lifespan. A profitable investment, in short! Even if you ride enough, it is just as interesting to maintain an optimal level of charge to ensure the full efficiency of your battery.
Faced with the diversity of models available on the market and the multiplicity of technical characteristics displayed, it is not always easy to make an informed choice.
It is, however, essential to choose a charger suited to your car and your level of knowledge of how a battery works.
Improper use of the charger can indeed damage a battery.
It is therefore better to find out before you start.
To help you choose from the multitude of chargers available on the market, we offer a selection of the 5 best models of the moment.
Our selection :
Genius battery charger, Noco
Optimate TM470 Lithium 4S battery charger, Tecmate
Blue Smart IP22 battery charger, Victron Energy
MXS 5.0 battery charger, CTEK
Battery charger C3, Bosch
How do I choose a battery charger for my car?
The battery charger market is full of different models.
For a neophyte, it is therefore not always easy to navigate.
Here are the different criteria to take into account when choosing a charger suited to your needs and your vehicle.
The type of charger
Battery chargers differ from each other by their technologies and technical characteristics.
We thus distinguish:
Classic chargers: these are simple models that require special attention during the charging phase, as they are not equipped with a voltage regulator.
They must be stopped manually after charging is complete.
Automatic chargers: unlike the simple charger, this type of charger has an output voltage regulator which provides automated control of the charge.
Smart chargers: these models are able to automatically manage the duration of the charge according to the capacity of the battery.
Security
Just as a car seat should guarantee maximum safety through its design, it is essential to ensure that your future charger is safe.
The latter must be equipped with protection systems against the various risks inherent in charging a battery: overheating, reverse polarity, sparks, overvoltage ... models which display IP65 protection are also waterproof and dustproof. .
The quality of the materials
It may sound anecdotal, but the quality of the materials used to design the charger is of real importance.
Indeed, battery chargers are equipment which, in the event of a malfunction, can constitute a danger.
It is therefore essential to ensure that the device you are going to acquire is of good quality.
The safest way to do this is to trust the big brands in the sector.
Utilisation facility
This criterion is all the more important for those who are not used to handling this type of equipment and who know nothing about mechanics!
But beware, some models of complex appearance can actually be very easy to use.
To get an idea of the level of difficulty, do not hesitate to consult the opinions of consumers who have already purchased the model you want!
What is the most powerful car battery charger?
The power of your charger should correlate with your vehicle's battery. A 12 V battery will need more charging power than a 6 V battery. If you plan to use your charger infrequently (once or twice a year), a low amperage charger can be meet your needs. But for more intensive and regular use, a higher amperage will prove to be more interesting. To restore deeply discharged batteries, you need a sufficiently powerful charger. But be careful: too intense a charge can cause a boil, or even an explosion, which will make your battery completely unusable. If the charger exceeds the permissible charge of the vehicle battery, it is an accident.
Where can I find a small battery charger to leave in my car?
Most battery chargers currently on the market have compact sizes.
Some are even ultra-light and therefore easy to transport.
To find a model that will meet your expectations, nothing could be simpler!
With just a few clicks, you can easily order a battery charger from the online store of a brand specializing in car accessories.
Most manufacturers also sell their various products online.
You can also go to a marketplace to have a larger offer and, thus, benefit from sometimes more attractive prices.
Discover all our auto-motorcycle selections here!
