Each car battery has a certain resource, after which the car owner has to replace the battery. But it often happens that at the most inopportune moment the car stops starting due to insufficient battery charge. In such situations, a starter-charger is a good helper. Before choosing a particular model, you should familiarize yourself with the features and characteristics of such devices.
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What are chargers for?
A starter charger is used to charge the battery or start the car engine, depending on the type of device.You can either charge only the battery to start the car, almost completely restore the battery charge capacity, or just start the car.
Situations in which such a device is useful are very different. Especially important is the use of start-up chargers during the onset of a cold, winter season, when the battery is discharged from exposure to low temperatures. Many car owners purchase such portable devices to prevent unforeseen situations, since they allow you to start the car at any time, even with a completely discharged battery.
Types of portable chargers
As for the types of start-up chargers for a car, the following are distinguished:
- condenser. They are the least common devices, since the current they create is very unstable and there is a risk of damaging the battery or the car's on-board network. In addition, the cost of this type of device is quite high, and it is not very convenient to use them, besides, they are very overall;
- accumulator. The device is charged before use, which ensures the possibility of its operation without being connected to the mains. Such a device is quite convenient to take with you on the road, but there are also disadvantages - this is a lot of weight and impressive dimensions. The most common application of the battery type of ROM is in fleet maintenance. In this case, professional models are used. As for portable devices of this kind, they are only suitable for starting the engine, but not for charging the battery;
- impulse. The device is equipped with a high-frequency inverter, with the help of which the current parameters are changed.Such equipment allows the production of devices of small size and weight, as well as low cost. As for the disadvantage, it concerns a decrease in potential under low-temperature conditions;
- transformer. Despite the fact that the device weighs a lot and is not cheap, it has a high level of efficiency and reliability. This type of ROM has all the necessary characteristics that allow you to create and maintain a stable current. Using a high power ROM, you can start the car engine even in the most extreme conditions and restore the EMF even in a completely discharged battery. The disadvantage of such a device is the low current in comparison with the inverter version of the ROM.
Charging and starting devices (ZPPU)
This type of device is intended only for charging the battery. The battery is charged by transferring voltage and current of a certain value from the terminals of the device to the battery terminals. This can happen in several ways, namely:
- through direct current transmission;
- through the transmission of constant voltage;
- in a combined way. First, a direct current is applied, then a constant voltage.
REFERENCE: chargers operating on the combined principle are the most efficient among devices from this variety.
Charging and starting devices (ZPU)
As for charging and starting devices, they are used when the battery is completely discharged or there is not enough charge to start the starter and, accordingly, the engine. With the help of the ZPU, it is possible to ensure the supply of current directly to the battery terminals without removing it from the car.
The only thing to consider is that an outlet is required to connect the ROM. After connecting it to the car, you only need to switch the device to start mode, connect it to the terminals and you can start the car. After turning on the device, a long-pulse current is supplied to the on-board circuit of the car, which makes it possible to start the engine.
REFERENCE: Using the charger to start the engine, it is required to disconnect the battery from the vehicle terminals.
What should be considered when choosing a ROM?
Despite the fact that over a certain amount of time a certain rating of models of launchers and chargers has been formed, which can be found below, the most popular and running model is not always suitable in each case. You need to purchase the device, push away from your needs, situations and opportunities. To select the most suitable ROM, there are several key characteristics to consider, which are detailed below.
Max starting current
One of the most important parameters that you need to pay attention to when choosing a starting-charger is the amount of starting current. This indicator is measured in amperes and shows the amount of charge that is transferred to the battery when using the device.
To choose the most suitable model, you need to build on the engine size of the car for which the device is purchased. For small cars, a device with a starting current parameter of up to 200 amperes is sufficient. If the engine is larger, then it is better to give preference to a ROM with a starting current of 300 amperes.
Maintained voltage
As for the output voltage indicator, it is recommended to purchase a device with such an indicator of 19 volts. Despite the fact that the car's on-board network operates at a voltage of 12 volts, in the case when it is impossible to start the engine due to a discharged battery, a higher voltage will be required, gentle during normal starting of the engine.
Dimensions and weight
Such parameters of the ROM depend on the further conditions of its operation. If a car enthusiast has a garage and there is no need to have the device with him all the time, then it is better to purchase a more powerful ROM that can weigh an average of 20 kg.
If the car enthusiast does not use the garage, but leaves his car in the parking lot and prefers to have a ROM with him, then the best option is to purchase a lighter and more portable device, the mass of which does not exceed 10 kg, and the width and height are 20 and 40 cm, respectively.
REFERENCE: when choosing a device, it is recommended to check the accuracy of the starting current indicated on the package. To do this, you need to divide the rated power by the output voltage.
Additional options and functions
With regard to various additional functions, it would not be superfluous to purchase a device equipped with various protection systems, for example, if the car owner mixed up the terminals when he connected the device to the car's on-board network.
It is also worth giving preference to devices that allow you to adjust the indicators of current and voltage. Using this function, you can independently select the required value depending on the situation and the condition of the battery.
When buying, you should pay attention to the material from which the body of the device is made.It is better to give preference to devices with a metal case or made of high-strength plastic. Such models with can last a long time.
Rating of the best start-up chargers
The ROM rating was formed as follows:
- In the first place is the ROM from JIC with the most popular model JIC-12. The battery capacity indicator is 12000 mA / h, voltage is 12 volts, the maximum starting current is 400 amperes, the weight of the device is 240 g. It allows up to 1000 charging cycles.
- In second place is NOKO with the GB20 Boost Sport. According to the technical characteristics, the model is not too different from the previous one. In general, the devices are similar, except for the battery capacity (for such a model, an indicator of 10,000 mAh and a weight of 950 g are typical).
- In third place is the manufacturing company Hummer, model H3. The capacity indicator of the device is 6000 mA / h, voltage 12 volts, maximum starting current 300 amperes, weight 227 g, can produce up to 1000 charge cycles.
