How to choose a charger for a car battery. How to choose the right charger for your smartphone
Short battery life of a smartphone is a pressing problem for a modern person, for whom it is important to always stay in touch. Because of this lack of gadgets, users are forced to regularly incur additional expenses - for the purchase of external batteries, for paid charging services in store stores, even for the purchase of “second” phones that can “insure” the main device in case it “dies.”
However, when a gadget quickly discharges, as a rule, the user himself is much more to blame than the manufacturer. By following some rules for charging your smartphone, you can significantly increase its battery life.
Why does my phone charge quickly?
The user should not be surprised by the fact that a simple “dialer” can work without an outlet for 1-2 weeks, while a smartphone dies within a day after the last recharge. The functionality of push-button phones is usually so primitive that it drains the battery there's just nothing. At the same time, smartphones have a whole arsenal of additional options, thanks to which they can successfully replace navigators, cameras, game consoles and other highly specialized devices. All these options quickly eat up amps.
Here are the main enemies of smartphone batteries:
- WiFi. If the Wi-Fi module is turned on, the battery drains much faster. If wireless Internet distribution is also activated on your smartphone, you can see how the battery charge percentage is counting down right before your eyes. An important point is that turned on Wi-Fi drains the battery to a greater extent during periods of searching for a network than during constant connection. That is why, when leaving the reception area, you should not only switch to LTE, but also turn off Wi-Fi.
- Geolocation. Thanks to enabled geolocation, the user of a mobile device is able to track his location on the map and find out how far it is to his destination. Many people do not feel such a need, and therefore geolocation on their smartphones works in vain, devouring precious milliamps.
- Long conversations. In the specifications, the approximate battery life of gadgets is always indicated in 2 options: In standby And in talk mode. The talk time is significantly shorter. The user should, if possible, replace live communication with correspondence on social networks and instant messengers if he wants his device to last longer without recharging.
Contrary to popular belief, applications open on a smartphone in the background have almost no effect on battery consumption. Starting a program from scratch is a much more energy-intensive procedure, so if you use any application constantly, closing it every time is pointless.
The reason for rapid battery consumption is not always found in software level. Perhaps the whole point is a technical malfunction, poor quality of the battery or its wear and tear. Every battery has its own service life, which is measured in the number of charging cycles. Once the threshold value is reached, the smartphone begins to drain faster with each new charge.
The iPhone has an approximate battery life of 500 cycles, which is between one and a half to two years of use. From the 501st cycle, the battery of an Apple gadget begins to lose efficiency. Upon reaching the 1000th cycle, the battery capacity is usually only 50% of the original. You can find out the number of charge cycles on your iPhone using the program Battery Life.
Slow charging: what is the reason?
The reason why the smartphone is charging slowly, is hardly a malfunction of the gadget and its components. Most likely, the problem lies in the charger elements or in the power source.
If the smartphone is recharged not from an outlet, but from the port of a laptop or PC, you should not expect the battery to be filled to the brim in the usual time. USB port format 2.0 provides power of only 2.5 W, whereas to recharge a battery with a capacity of 3000 mAp required approximately 5 W. Ports of the format cope better with the task of recharging gadgets 3.0 giving 4.5 W.
However, if the laptop is equipped, then you can forget about connecting the smartphone to the outlet forever. A new type of USB can charge devices with up to 100 W, which means it won’t be difficult to quickly fill the battery of a mobile phone or even a tablet through this outlet.
Poor quality USB cable and insufficient adapter characteristics can also be the reasons for slow charging. When choosing an adapter, you should pay attention to current power- an indicator expressed in amperes (A). Previously, we had to take this point into account - if the current power was low, the device would charge slowly or “not reach” enough capacity. At the same time, it was impossible to “go too far”; too much current could harm the battery. In 2019, such a problem does not exist.
There is no need to worry about the fact that too much current will “burn” your smartphone - all gadgets have special charging controllers that do not allow more current to pass through than the device can withstand. In addition, a high-quality control system has similar controllers.
How to charge your phone: main rules
Mobile technology users still remember the rule from the 2000s: Discharge your phone to 0%, then charge it completely. This rule is only relevant for nickel batteries, which you can’t find today “in the wild”. Most smartphones come with lithium-ion batteries that cannot be discharged to zero - this causes irreparable harm to them!
In recent years, information has begun to come from manufacturers of mobile equipment that in order to “maintain” the life of the battery, it should be kept at a level of 20 to 80%. Of course, you can go beyond these limits, but ideally you should adhere to the recommendations. Some modern gadgets already have a hardware function that automatically cuts off the power supply when the capacity reaches 80%, or there is a corresponding option in the power settings. Representatives of Asus spoke about this mode. If there is no special function, then nothing prevents you from installing the appropriate software from PlayMarket or AppStore, which will perform a similar task.
- Do not leave a fully charged smartphone connected to a power outlet.– especially for the whole night. This leads to overheating of the battery and, as a result, to a reduction in its service life. To avoid disastrous consequences, the user should pay attention to pulsed chargers - we will tell you later how they differ from conventional ones.
- Monitor the temperature. During charging, the smartphone already heats up - if it is also left in the sun, it can easily fail. Of course, the device should not be covered with something or hidden somewhere. All this is additional heating and, as a result, possible breakdown. Do not forget that low temperatures are no less harmful to the battery. The reference ambient temperature for charging is 20 degrees Celsius.
- Regularly recharge your smartphone- at least a little bit. Short-term charging is not a detrimental measure for modern lithium-ion batteries- this has been proven by an organization called University of Battery Research and Production (Cadex). To be able to power the gadget in any conditions, it is worth purchasing the so-called Power Bank- external battery. Our site has already talked about how to choose an external battery for a smartphone.
- Once every three months (but not more often), completely discharge your smartphone and charge it to 100%. This measure will allow you to calibrate the electronics, which are responsible for the correct display of charge percentages. A user who neglects such a measure should not be surprised that his gadget “suddenly” turns off at 5-10%.
- To not allowdeep discharge . This concept means leaving the smartphone in a discharged state for a long time. The gadget is dead and won’t turn on– one of the most common complaints from users applying for warranty service.
An important point is that if the phone is planned to be “mothballed”, that is, it will not be used in the near future, the battery should be charged to 50%. In this state, the device must be turned off. You cannot completely discharge or charge your smartphone before sending it to temporary rest.
The recommendation to use only original accessories for recharging is highly questionable. Of course, it is better to power the gadget with the charger that was included in the kit. However, if it fails, the user will be faced with a serious dilemma due to an understandable desire to save money - after all, the original accessory is two or three times more expensive than the universal one.
In fact there is no big difference between universal and original memory devices. If a universal charger for a smartphone is made by a well-known company, and not a Chinese “know-name”, it will definitely not destroy the gadget.
How to properly charge a new battery?
Following the advice of discharging and charging a new smartphone three times is a sure way to ruin the battery in the first days of use. This again had to be done with nickel batteries - as for lithium batteries, each complete discharge significantly shortens their service life.
Modern gadgets do not have any special requirements for the first charge. Users do not need to believe in the “noodles” that consultants and “pseudo-experts” of thematic sites “hang on their ears.”
It is best for the owner of a smartphone to take the instructions, find what it says about charging time, and leave the gadget connected to the outlet for the time specified in the manual. After this time, you should disconnect the device from the power supply at 100% charge and then adhere to the rules listed above.
How to choose a charger for a smartphone?
Many of the options to consider when choosing a phone charger have already been mentioned in this article. In fact, for modern gadgets, the SZU is selected according to the principle - the higher the current, power and voltage indicators, the better. The fact is that a few years ago, powerful charging could very well burn the battery. In 2019, power supplies have controllers and modes that determine what exactly is connected to them and based on this they supply current with safe parameters.
Other parameters that you should look at when purchasing are as follows:
- Type. All memory devices are conditionally classified into 2 types: transformer And pulse. Pulse ones differ in that they are equipped with timers that can automatically stop charging. The fast charging mode of a pulse charger lasts about 4 hours - this time, as a rule, is enough for the battery to gain the bulk of its capacity. Then the energy begins to be supplied in small portions - “pulses” - so that the smartphone does not lose charge.
- Construction and design. Solid chargers that do not allow the user to disconnect the wire from the power supply are becoming a thing of the past. Purchasing such a charger unprofitable, because the owner of the gadget has to buy a USB cable “in addition” to it - if he intends to download data from a PC to the smartphone.
It is more advisable to purchase a cable and adapter equipped with several ports.
Thanks to this adapter, the user gets the opportunity to charge two or more mobile devices simultaneously– to do this, you just need to buy a second cable, which costs much less than additional charging. 
When ordering a charging adapter on a Chinese website, the user should also pay attention to plug type. For Russian sockets you need Euro standard plugs– example in the picture above in the upper left corner. However, there is no particular point in ordering SPDs in China today; Russian online stores offer a more than decent selection of high-quality devices with reasonable prices. You can find the best options in our rating of network chargers below.
The best wall chargers
Qumo 23714
Price: from 1,299 rubles.
Quite a budget model with 3 USB-A outputs. The top one has support for Quick Charge (3.0, 2.0, 1.0). Maximum current – 4.2 A, power – 18 W. The SZU automatically selects the necessary parameters for charging the connected gadget, and also has protection against power surges, overload and short circuit. An option for those who need to quickly and safely charge several gadgets without paying a lot of money for it.
Aukey PA-Y9
Price: from 1,490 rubles.
The stylish charger from Aukey is equipped with a reversible USB-C 5 V/3 A connector and a classic USB-A 5 V/2.1 A port. The total power is 25.5 W. This will allow you to safely charge any gadget from the latest iPhone to any tablet. The body of the SZU is made of high-quality plastic with Soft Touch coating. If necessary, the plug is retracted into a special niche on the body, which simplifies the process of storing the unit or carrying it with you.
MOMAX U.Bull (UM3S)
Price: from 1,690 rubles.
A model with an interesting design and three connectors. This is an excellent option for charging Apple equipment and any other expensive devices. The top USB-C port with 5 V/5.4 A is designed for charging MacBooks or laptops powered by Type-C, the two lower USB-A 5 V/2.4 A ports are suitable for powering any mobile gadget. Total power – 28 W.
The SZU received support for Automax technology, which is capable of understanding which device is connected to it and providing the appropriate current parameters for safe charging. In addition, protection against overheating, short circuit, and high voltage is provided. The power supply comes with a silicone case (red or blue options available) which has slots for attaching the power cable.
RIVACASE Rivapower VA4125 + Lightning
Price: from 1,890 rubles.
Not the most interesting SZU in terms of execution, but quite convenient and functional. The model is equipped with two USB-A connectors with 5 V/3.4 A with a total output power of 17 W. This is enough to simultaneously charge two smartphones or tablets. The kit includes a detachable 1.2 meter Lightning cable for charging your iPhone. The charger is available in white or black. An excellent option for those who need a power supply with a cable included for reasonable money and good quality.
Belkin F7U011vfSLV
Price: from 1,990 rubles.
Belkin accessories are most loved by Apple owners. This is not surprising, since this company makes not only high quality, but also very stylish. The model received two outputs – USB-C and USB-A. The first has a current of 3 A, the second 2.4 A, the total power is 27 W. The SZU is made of high-quality plastic with high wear resistance and fire protection properties. The case is quite compact, which makes it convenient to carry with you. Color: Silver. MFI certified.
ANKER PowerPort Speed 5 Ports 63W
Price: from 2,990 rubles.
A model designed for 5 devices at once. Suitable for those who have many gadgets at home or in the office. All outputs are USB-A type, two ports support Quick Charge, the remaining three support PowerIQ (automatic selection of current supply parameters depending on the connected device). The device has a blue LED operation indicator - from it the user can understand that the device is connected to the network. The accessory is small in size, all internal elements are hidden in a case made of high-quality plastic. The total power is 63 W, the maximum current is 12 A. There is MFI certification, that is, Apple officially recognizes this device as safe for its equipment.
Conclusion
Unfortunately, domestic users continue to stubbornly believe common myths about charging mobile devices. They don’t even suspect that, trying, for example, to completely discharge the batteries of smartphones, they are doing a disservice to their devices. Recommendations that were left in the memory of users in the 2000s are relevant for nickel batteries. Modern smartphones have lithium ion batteries, the care requirements for which are completely different.
Probably the problem with almost everyone is their battery capacity. The battery capacity of modern phones allows us to hope for the best. Thus, a phone with excellent characteristics (several cores, a large amount of RAM, the latest processor, high processor frequency) is most often equipped with a battery whose capacity barely exceeds 2500 mAh. If the smartphone has high specifications, then this capacity will hardly be enough for 12 hours.
You can, of course, pay attention to phones that have high-capacity batteries. But if you already have a phone with an average battery, then you can go a different route. Agree that if your phone discharges quite quickly, then you would like it to at least charge quickly. And for this you need to have the right charger. And, by the way, chargers tend to break down very quickly, so if your charger is broken, then this article will be useful to you too.
So, it is best to buy an original charger that is designed for your phone model. But such charging will not always be able to quickly charge your phone. If you want your device to charge relatively quickly, then pay attention to the charger label. There are various inscriptions there, but we need to find the inscription: OutPut (input current value).
Here you can see different output current values. So, on some devices OutPut = 0.65 A, and on some OutPut = 1 A. But many will say that they do not need to know the value of the output current of their charger. But in vain. After all, the higher the value, the faster the phone charges.
If you are going to the store to buy a charger, then pay attention to this value. For a smartphone, the best option would be to purchase a charger that has a current output of 2 Amps. You shouldn’t take more, as the phone will heat up when charging, and this will affect its service life.
By the way, when choosing a charger, you should also pay attention to the cable, which is not the last participant in the charging process. There is no need to save money and give preference to thin cables. It's better to spend a little money and get a cable with a normal wire diameter.
As you can see, to choose a good charger, you don’t need to know a bunch of different information. It is enough to remember two rules: the size of the output current and the quality of the USB cable through which the current will flow.
The vehicle's on-board network is powered by the battery until the power plant starts. But it itself does not generate electrical energy. The battery is simply a container for electricity, which is stored in it and, if necessary, given to consumers. Afterwards, the expended energy is restored due to the operation of the generator, which produces it.
But even constant recharging of the battery from a generator is not able to completely restore the expended energy. This requires periodic charging from an external source rather than a generator.
Design and principle of operation of the charger
Chargers are used to produce. These devices operate from a 220 V network. In fact, the charger is a conventional electrical energy converter.
It takes the alternating current of the 220 V network, lowers it and converts it into direct current with a voltage of up to 14 V, that is, to the voltage that the battery itself produces.
Nowadays a large number of all kinds of chargers are produced - from primitive and simple ones to devices with a large number of various additional functions.
Chargers are also sold, which, in addition to possibly recharging the battery installed on the car, can also start the power plant. Such devices are called charging and starting devices.
There are also autonomous charging and starting devices that can recharge the battery or start the engine without connecting the device itself to a 220 V network. Inside such a device, in addition to equipment that converts electrical energy, there is also one, which makes such a device autonomous, although the battery of the device is also After each release of electricity, charging is required.
Video: How to make a simple charger
As for conventional chargers, the simplest of them consists of only a few elements. The main element of such a device is a step-down transformer. It lowers the voltage from 220 V to 13.8 V, which is the most optimal for charging the battery. However, the transformer only lowers the voltage, but converting it from alternating current to direct current is performed by another element of the device - a diode bridge, which rectifies the current and divides it into positive and negative poles.
Behind the diode bridge, an ammeter is usually included in the circuit, which shows the current strength. The simplest device uses a dial ammeter. In more expensive devices, it can be digital; in addition to the ammeter, a voltmeter can also be built-in. Some chargers have the ability to select voltage; for example, they can charge both 12-volt and 6-volt batteries.
Wires with “positive” and “negative” terminals come out of the diode bridge, which connect the device to the battery.
All this is enclosed in a housing, from which comes a wire with a plug for connecting to the network, and wires with terminals. To protect the entire circuit from possible damage, a fuse is included in it.
In general, this is the entire circuit of a simple charger. Charging the battery is relatively simple. The terminals of the device are connected to the discharged battery, but it is important not to mix up the poles. The device is then connected to the network.
At the very beginning of charging, the device will supply voltage with a current of 6-8 amperes, but as charging progresses, the current will decrease. All this will be displayed on the ammeter. If the battery is fully charged, the ammeter needle will drop to zero. This is the entire process of charging the battery.
The simplicity of the charger circuit makes it possible to manufacture it yourself.
Making your own car charger
Now let's look at the simplest chargers that you can make yourself. The first will be a device that is very similar in concept to the one described.
The diagram shows:
S1 - power switch (toggle switch);
FU1 - 1A fuse;
T1 - transformer TN44;
D1-D4 - diodes D242;
C1 - capacitor 4000 uF, 25 V;
A - 10A ammeter.
So, to make a homemade charger you will need a step-down transformer TS-180-2. Such transformers were used on old tube TVs. Its feature is the presence of two primary and secondary windings. Moreover, each of the secondary output windings has 6.4 V and 4.7 A. Therefore, in order to achieve the 12.8 V required for charging the battery, which this transformer is capable of, you need to connect these windings in series. For this, a short wire with a cross-section of at least 2.5 mm is used. sq. The jumper connects not only the secondary windings, but also the primary ones.
Video: The simplest battery charger
Next, you will need a diode bridge. To create it, 4 diodes are taken, designed for a current of at least 10 A. These diodes can be fixed on a textolite plate, and then they can be connected correctly. Wires are connected to the output diodes, which the device will connect to the battery. At this point, the assembly of the device can be considered complete.
Now about the correctness of the charging process. When connecting a device to a battery, do not reverse the polarity, otherwise you can damage both the battery and the device.
When connecting to a battery, the device must be completely de-energized. You can turn it on only after connecting it to the battery. It should also be disconnected from the battery after disconnecting from the network.
A heavily discharged battery cannot be connected to the device without a means that reduces the voltage and current, otherwise the device will supply a high current to the battery, which can damage the battery. An ordinary 12-volt lamp, which is connected to the output terminals in front of the battery, can act as a reducing agent. The lamp will light up when the device is operating, thereby partially absorbing the voltage and current. Over time, after the battery is partially charged, the lamp can be removed from the circuit.
When charging, you need to periodically check the state of charge of the battery, for which you can use a multimeter, voltmeter or load plug.
A fully charged battery, when checking its voltage, should show at least 12.8 V; if the value is lower, further charging is required to bring this indicator to the desired level.
Video: DIY car battery charger
Since this circuit does not have a protective housing, you should not leave the device unattended during operation.
And even if this device does not provide the optimal 13.8 V output, it is quite suitable for recharging the battery, although after about two years of using the battery, you will still need to charge it with a factory device that provides all the optimal parameters for charging the battery.
Transformerless charger
An interesting design is the circuit of a homemade device that does not have a transformer. Its role in this device is played by a set of capacitors designed for a voltage of 250 V. There must be at least 4 such capacitors. The capacitors themselves are connected in parallel.
A resistor is connected in parallel to the set of capacitors, designed to suppress the residual voltage after disconnecting the device from the network.
Next, you will need a diode bridge to operate with a permissible current of at least 6 A. It is connected to the circuit after a set of capacitors. And then the wires that will connect the device to the battery are connected to it.
Judging by the full and detailed name, you and I cannot confuse a charger for a car battery with a charger for a mobile phone. Now all that’s left to do is figure out whether it’s needed at all, and how to choose the right charger for a car battery.
Types of car batteries
Let us anticipate a reasonable question from the car owner: why charge the battery if there is a generator. Right. There is a generator. But, by connecting an additional load to the on-board network, we forget that the generator cannot cope with recharging and then additional energy is taken from the battery. This leads to its gradual discharge.
And further. It happens that we forget to turn off the dimensions or car speakers at night or on the weekend. And on Monday the car won't start anymore. This has happened to many people. In this case, you will need a battery charger.
Knowing information about existing types of batteries will allow you to navigate the question of which car battery charger to choose.
- Lead battery- It's acidic. These batteries respond very well to systematic recharging. It is recommended to charge them more often.
- Alkaline batteries– nickel – cadmium (Ni-Cd), nickel – metal hydride (Ni-Mh) and lithium ion (Li-On). The most unsuccessful of them is the first battery, since it requires a complete discharge before charging. T.N. the “memory” effect makes it very uncomfortable. A new alkaline battery requires a three-time discharge-charge cycle.
The general rule for all types of batteries is that the battery must be fully charged, i.e. all the way.
Required qualities of a car battery charger
Chargers for batteries have the same principle of operation, namely: they must reduce the mains voltage to the battery rating, then rectify the voltage and ensure automation of the battery charging process. Those. ideally: the user should attach the terminals of the car battery charger, plug in the plug and go conscientiously to rest until the morning.
Battery charging methods provided by the charger
- . The charge takes place relatively quickly, which is a plus. The downside is that this method, due to the specific nature of the charging process, leads to rapid “aging” of the battery.
- . The disadvantage of this method is that the charging process is too rapid at the beginning and sluggish at the end.
- Combined. Those. 2 in 1. It is the most optimal, and in principle, all modern car battery chargers work using the third method.
How to choose a charger for a car battery
The first thing you need to do before you go to buy a charger for a battery is to thoroughly study the Owner's Manual for your car as it relates to the battery and on-board network.
Then, already in the store, begin to study the instructions on the tactical and technical characteristics of the selected charger.
Important! With the development of the counterfeit market, especially from fraternal China, still give preference to domestic producers. The gain will be obvious.
Select a charger with a small current reserve so that the charger does not operate at its limit. Or the situation may change, and you will need to charge a battery with a larger capacity.
When choosing a charger for a car battery, choose an automatic one that provides a combined charge. The choice of indication method is up to your taste and… wallet. Discrete (LEDs) are less expensive, but also less accurate, although sufficient for the consumer. Instrument display is more expensive and more accurate.
Types of car battery chargers
- Charging - pre-launch. Charge and recharge the battery. As a plus, it is possible to connect the charger to the battery terminals, without disconnecting from the on-board network. This is important for.
- Charging - starting. They operate in two modes: automated charging and max. recoil. current in starting mode. An unpleasant feature for a car owner who is far from electricians - it is recommended to be wary of connecting without removing the terminals from the battery. You can burn all the electronics in your car. Those. It is necessary to turn off the on-board network when recharging.
In the modern world, tablet computers are gaining increasing popularity among computer users due to their small size, mobility and ease of use. Tablets, as a rule, have a fairly long battery life from a standard battery, which accordingly requires periodic recharging. Charging tablets, like other devices of this type, is carried out through a special charger connected to the mains. Quite often, power surges occur in electrical networks, which are one of the main reasons for the failure of the charger, as a result of which your tablet stops charging. If your tablet's charger has lost its functionality and you need to buy a new charger, then we offer you some tips and rules that need to be taken into account when choosing a new power supply.
The main and main criterion that you need to follow when buying a charger for a tablet is its technical characteristics, such as: current, power and voltage. These parameters can be viewed either on the old charger, or many manufacturers indicate them on the body of the tablet itself. It looks something like this, for example: output 15V-1.2A 18W, where V is the voltage, A is the current and W is the power of the tablet charger. Otherwise, if these parameters are not observed, your tablet may not work correctly, or if you use a charger with technical characteristics that do not correspond to the parameters recommended by the manufacturer, damage to the motherboard of your tablet may occur, with its subsequent, usually not cheap, repair . It is also worth noting that, for example, using a higher-power charger inevitably leads to the fastest depletion of the tablet’s battery life.
When buying a new charger for a tablet, it is best to take the tablet with you and check on the spot when purchasing how the charger connector fits into the connector on the tablet. The connector must be inserted into the connector tightly enough and should not dangle, but at the same time it should not be inserted too tightly, as this may damage the tablet’s power connector. A loose connector that does not fit tightly enough into the connector will sooner or later lead to a short circuit, which can damage both the charger and the tablet itself.
Today you can buy a tablet charger in many stores, and if you need to buy a charger, then you can do it, including in our company. We always have a huge selection of chargers for tablets of all manufacturers and models, which will allow you to buy a charger for a tablet of almost any model from us. All tablet chargers presented by us have a high degree of quality; our company’s specialists have extensive experience both in repairing a variety of computer equipment and in sales of accessories intended for it, which allows you to accurately determine the type and parameters of the charger that is optimal for your tablet models.
When buying a charger for a tablet, remember that not only the efficiency of the device, but often the performance of the tablet as a whole directly depends on how correctly the replacement for the standard power supply is selected.
