When to Use a 6 Volt Charger

Most people are already familiar with the standard 12V battery that powers our cars and other vehicles. However, some recreational vehicles, motorcycles, mobility devices and other applications use a smaller 6 volt battery system instead. It is important for users to know when they have a 6 volt battery on their hands so that they can find an appropriate 6 volt charger that will suit their needs. Using the wrong charger could damage your battery or create a dangerous situation. Here's what you need to know about using a 6 volt charger properly. 

When Charging a 6V Battery

If you have a 6V battery in your vehicle or device, it is always best to use a matching 6 volt charger to keep it topped off. Alternatively, you may use a charger that has a variable voltage setting, which can be set to 6V for this purpose. This will ensure that your battery is properly charged without a problem. A 6V battery is actually fully charged when it reads slightly over 6V on a multimeter. A 6 volt charger is typically designed to produce about 7 volts so that it can attain a full charge. 

Can I Use a Lower Voltage Charger? 

Battery chargers come in a wide range of configurations, so you may find that you have a 2V or similar charger on hand. While it is possible to charge a 6V battery with a lower voltage charger, there are a few things you need to be aware of. First, it will take a very long time for the low voltage charger to work on your 6V battery. Think of it like setting up a trickle charger, which will charge your battery over the course of 10-12 hours, instead of 1-2 hours. Secondly, a lower voltage charger will never be able to produce enough power to fully charge your 6V battery. It might charge your battery enough for you to get your device jump started, but that's about it. After that, you will still need to go find an appropriate charger for your battery if you want to continue using it. 

Can I Use a Higher Voltage Charger? 

This is the question that many people ask because they already have a 12V charger on hand. Logically, the thinking goes that a 12V charger can charge a 6V battery twice as fast. While the math makes sense in that regard, the truth is that this can actually be quite dangerous. As your battery charges, it produces internal heat. At proper charging voltage, the internal heat is never high enough to damage the battery, but at 12V, the internal heat can actually cause the electrolyte inside the battery to boil. This will run your battery dry and create a thermal runaway scenario, which is very dangerous. Again, some people use a 12V charger to get their 6V battery jump started, but it is never advisable to use a 12V charger to try to fully charge your 6V battery. 

If you have a 6V battery in any of your vehicles or devices, it is important to make sure that you have an appropriate 6 volt charger on hand, or a suitable variable charger. This will help protect your batteries in the long run and prevent serious injuries caused by bad charging habits. To learn more about 6 volt chargers, visit MK Battery online today, contact us, and shop our selection.