Shopping for a 12V Deep Cycle Battery Charger

If you rely on deep cycle batteries for your medical equipment, solar power supply, security system, or marine vehicles, you are familiar with the unique functions of deep cycle technology. Most notably, deep cycle batteries are designed to discharge slowly, providing you with steady power for several hours at a time. This is different from traditional lead acid batteries, which are designed to provide a lot of power for a very short amount of time. It should come as no surprise that these two battery types require slightly different charging technologies to achieve optimum charging capacity. Here’s why: 

Slow vs Fast Charging

Perhaps the biggest difference between regular battery chargers and deep cycle chargers is the speed at which they charge. Using a traditional battery charger to recharge your deep cycle battery will not give you the best possible results. This is because excess heat is produced whenever a battery is charging. A deep cycle battery is not designed to handle the rapid charging and extra heat, so it may never reach full capacity. Instead, it will show that it is fully charged long before it actually reaches full capacity. By contrast, a slow charge is perfect for charging deep cycle batteries because it prevents heat from building up and ensures that the full capacity of the battery is reached. In many cases, deep cycle battery chargers use a stepped model which allows more current to flow to the battery when it is deeply discharged, and then slowly tapers off the charging speed as the battery reaches full capacity to optimize charging time while still coaxing more life out of the battery in the long run. 

Battery Conditioning

Another critical function of the 12V deep cycle battery charger is the battery conditioning phase. Due to the increased demand placed on deep cycle batteries, there is a special conditioning process that helps keep your battery healthy while it is plugged in to the charger. A 12V deep cycle battery charger will include a conditioning or maintenance stage which does exactly that, whereas a traditional battery charger may not be set up with the right technology to complete this process. Your best bet is to look for a smart charger that includes testing lights so that you can monitor your battery’s condition during charging. 

When in doubt, it is always best to consult with a battery expert for all your deep cycle charging needs. Deep cycle batteries can be left on a charger for extended periods of time, so you need to know that your 12V charger has a maintenance and conditioning program that is suitable to your battery’s needs. To learn more, visit MK Battery online today.