Charge Battery w/ Universal AC Adapter: Tips & Advice

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    Battery Charging
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Discussion Overview

The discussion centers around the feasibility and methods of charging a 24V battery made up of two 12V lead-acid batteries in series using a universal AC adapter. Participants also explore the potential use of the battery with a car inverter, seeking tips and advice on both charging and connection methods.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Technical explanation
  • Debate/contested
  • Homework-related

Main Points Raised

  • One participant inquires about charging a 24V battery with a universal AC adapter, noting the adapter's variable voltage and the need to determine the correct polarity.
  • Another participant provides a link to a resource that may assist in understanding how to charge various batteries.
  • A question is raised regarding the maximum safe amperage for trickle charging the battery, indicating a need for caution in the charging process.
  • There is a suggestion to check for an ampere-hour rating on the batteries, and if unavailable, to research similar batteries online for guidance.
  • One participant proposes charging at 0.2A and monitoring the voltage over time to assess the charging progress, while also noting the potential deterioration of the batteries.
  • There is a repeated inquiry about connecting the battery to a car inverter, with a request for advice on what devices might be powered from it.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express varying levels of certainty regarding the configuration of the batteries (series vs. parallel) and the appropriate charging methods. There is no consensus on the maximum safe amperage for charging or the best practices for connecting the battery to the inverter.

Contextual Notes

Participants mention the importance of checking specifications and ratings, but there are uncertainties regarding the condition of the batteries and the implications of charging them without complete information.

Who May Find This Useful

This discussion may be useful for individuals looking to charge lead-acid batteries, particularly in DIY contexts, as well as those interested in using batteries with inverters for various applications.

jaguar7
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I have a battery. I can go get a screwdriver from the garage and open it to see the specs on it, but was for an electric bike. I don't have the AC adapter charger any more. Can I charge it with a universal AC adapter I have, just wired together? The AC adapter has two holes in the tip, and I was able to determine which hole was positive and which was negative by using a voltmeter. The universal AC adapter is variable voltage with several settings from about 2V to 12V. The old AC adapter charger for this battery output 24V. I'll go open this battery up and see the specs on it. I would really like to charge it.

Also, (this is secondary), I'd like to attach my inverter for my car to this battery. Any tips or advice?

Edit:
Okay, I opened up the case of the battery and it's two 12 volt lead-acid rechargeable batteries in series, which would effectively be 24V (I think - it is 24V maybe I meant parallel).

And thanks Jehan, that is what I'm looking for. Now if I can just connect it to my inverter I have for my car..

And if anyone else has any more tips, advice, or direction, please feel more than welcome. The more knowledge that I can get, the better.
 
Last edited:
Engineering news on Phys.org
http://www.valleyradioclub.org/Misc%20PDF%20Files/Lost-Your-Charger-How-to-Charge-any-Battery-Survi.pdf
should get you on the right track
 
Okay, I'm wondering what is the max safe amperage I can trickle charge this battery with? Again it's two 12V lead acid batteries in parallel.
 
Do the batteries have an ampere-hour rating printed on their label? If not, hop online and do some browsing to find similar looking electric cycle battery and tell us what its ampere-hour rating is.

If the combo is 24V then the two batteries are in series.

If all else fails, charge at 0.2A and record the voltage every few hours to gauge how the charging is progressing. If this is an old battery, it's possible that the condition of at least one of the pair inside might have deteriorated to make that one unusable. Can you monitor the voltage across each as you charge them in series? Pb-acid cells can have a relatively short useful life, anyway.
 
jaguar7 said:
Also, (this is secondary), I'd like to attach my inverter for my car to this battery. Any tips or advice?
What do you power from the inverter?
 

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