New Battery Chargers Buying Guide
Battery Chargers Buying Guide
Expert Buying Tips on How To Choose the Best Model
This guide will help you understand the key considerations when selecting Vehicle Battery Chargers from Sealey’s comprehensive range, ensuring you make an informed choice - whether you need a simple car battery charger, a jump starter, or a smart charger.
Manual or Automatic?
Manual StandardCharge)
Basic chargers require the user to set and monitor charge levels manually, and to turn them off once fully charged. Leaving them connected for too long risks battery damage or, in extreme cases, the battery could explode!
Manual or Automatic?
Automatic Smart Charges)
These are often called smart chargers, and they include electronic circuitry that monitors battery condition and adjusts charge rate. Once full, they switch to maintenance mode, offering a safe, efficient blind-charging solution.
Manual or Automatic?
Manual StandardCharge)
Basic chargers require the user to set and monitor charge levels manually, and to turn them off once fully charged. Leaving them connected for too long risks battery damage or, in extreme cases, the battery could explode!
Manual or Automatic?
Automatic Smart Charges)
These are often called smart chargers, and they include electronic circuitry that monitors battery condition and adjusts charge rate. Once full, they switch to maintenance mode, offering a safe, efficient blind-charging solution.
Types of Charging
Maintenance or Trickle Charging
Automatic trickle battery charger units regulate a slow charge (1–2 Amp) at a rate similar to that at which it self-discharges, which prevents overcharging. Ideal for maintaining batteries in long-stored or seldom-used vehicles such as classic cars.
Manual or Automatic?
Conventional Charging
These chargers have the ability to charge a battery from low voltage to fully charged. Delivering higher current for full battery recovery over 6–24 hours depending on the level of depletion.
Manual or Automatic?
Engine Starter / Jump-Start Function
Larger chargers and portable vehicle battery charger jump packs offer a high-amp boost to start engines, after which the alternator takes over, for example the Sealey RoadStart® Emergency Jump Starter series.
Types of Charging
Maintenance or Trickle Charging
Automatic trickle battery charger units regulate a slow charge (1–2 Amp) at a rate similar to that at which it self-discharges, which prevents overcharging. Ideal for maintaining batteries in long-stored or seldom-used vehicles such as classic cars.
Manual or Automatic?
Conventional Charging
These chargers have the ability to charge a battery from low voltage to fully charged. Delivering higher current for full battery recovery over 6–24 hours depending on the level of depletion.
Engine Starter / Jump-Start Function
Larger chargers and portable vehicle battery charger jump packs offer a high-amp boost to start engines, after which the alternator takes over, for example the Sealey RoadStart® Emergency Jump Starter series.
Additional Useful Functions
- Desulphation Function:
Some chargers include this function. Sulphation occurs naturally in batteries. Over time it builds up on the batteries internal lead plates, reducing their efficiency and the lifespan of the battery. The desulphation function creates a pulsed charge, which cleans off the sulphation, restoring battery life, particularly useful for AGM, Gel or Calcium batteries.
Vehicles that utilize “Stop Start” technology may require Smart Chargers to charge their batteries. Always refer to manufacturers specific information prior to charging.
- Engine Starter Fuction:
This function is typically found on larger, heavy-duty chargers and provides a high amp boost, which allows you to jump-start a vehicle with a discharged battery. They work by transferring power directly from the internal transformer to a vehicle’s discharged battery. The jump starter function will not charge your battery, but instead provide the necessary power to crank the engine and start the vehicle. Once the engine is on, the alternator will charge the battery. The biggest advantage of portable jump starters is that they do not require the assistance of another vehicle or person.
New: Safety & Environmental Considerations
Prioritise chargers with built‑in protections such as: overcharge, reverse polarity, short‑circuit, overheat and spark‑proofing. Smart chargers are inherently safer for vehicles with Stop‑Start systems. Additionally, choose models with eco‑friendly operation (low standby power) for environmental responsibility.
Points to Consider
- Ensure your charger’s output matches the largest battery you’re likely to charge.
- Always refer to the alternator: many assume it can fully recharge a battery during driving. In reality, alternators maintain rather than fully charge; for full charge cycles, a dedicated charger is required, especially after deep discharge.
- Typical charging times: how long to charge a car battery can range from several hours, like 6 hours to 24 hours (at 6 A) or overnight on lower amps.
- Battery Type Compatibility: Not all chargers support Gel, Calcium, AGM, EFB or Lithium, be sure to check compatibility.
- Warranty periods vary from 1–5 years among Sealey Battery Charger models, check before purchase.
Recommended Sealey Products
Here are some Sealey chargers that align with the above charging tasks:
Sealey MBC310 Three‑Bank 12 V 30A Smart Charger & Maintainer
Suitable for trickle charging all AGM, Gel, VRLA and leisure batteries commonly found in everything from automotive and farm equipment to motorcycles, ATVs, golf buggies and lawnmowers. Also suitable for lithium batteries.
Sealey SBC6 12 V Fully Automatic Battery Maintainer/Charger
A robust mid‑range automatic smart charger with three-stage charging, desulphation, zero‑volt recovery, and multiple safety protections - a versatile all-rounder.
Sealey AUTOCHARGE100HF 6/12V Compact Smart Trickle Maintainer/Charger
Designed for maintaining 6V and 12V batteries in a wide range of vehicles and machinery, including classic cars, seasonal equipment, motorcycles, garden tools, and children's ride-on toys. Ideal for long-term battery care and maintenance during storage or infrequent use.