Any battery charger experts out there?

[cruiser]

MoBros and MoSis':
I should probably know this, but I'm puzzled by the "conditioning" mode of my battery charger. Maybe you can explain it to me. My 1974 slant six Duster has a new 450 CCA absorptive glass mat battery, which is a fantastic battery. Really cranks the old gal over! Anyhow, I put the battery on my charger from time to time - an Odyssey automatic charger which I'm very happy with. I do notice, however, that when I hook it up it doesn't start charging the battery right away. Instead, it goes into "conditioning" mode (see photo). Eventually, it moves to the charging mode, then finally into auto maintain. I read the owner's manual and cannot find an explanation of the "conditioning" mode. Can someone out there explain what this is? Thanks!

 

[Vaanth]

MoBros and MoSis':
I should probably know this, but I'm puzzled by the "conditioning" mode of my battery charger. Maybe you can explain it to me. My 1974 slant six Duster has a new 450 CCA absorptive glass mat battery, which is a fantastic battery. Really cranks the old gal over! Anyhow, I put the battery on my charger from time to time - an Odyssey automatic charger which I'm very happy with. I do notice, however, that when I hook it up it doesn't start charging the battery right away. Instead, it goes into "conditioning" mode (see photo). Eventually, it moves to the charging mode, then finally into auto maintain. I read the owner's manual and cannot find an explanation of the "conditioning" mode. Can someone out there explain what this is? Thanks!

View attachment 1716472647

View attachment 1716472648

Battery conditioning with respect to a battery charger as shown is a process prior to an actual charge/monitor cycle. It can vary based on the charger manufacturer approach, but, in general, the charger begins by applying a high, fixed charging voltage, typically at about 14.7 volts DC. This heats the battery electrolyte for more optimal charging, and it can break down minor lead-sulfur deposits on the battery cell plates, ie. sulphation. The process can go through multiple fixed charge voltage->heating->cooling cycles before normal voltage ramp and monitor charging occurs. In short, it can be said that it is just getting the battery ready for charging or maintaining.

This can be a fixed process or can be a triggered process if the charger detects higher than normal internal resistance of the battery when a load/recovery test is made to check the battery health. If the battery is fresh and at an optimal charging temperature, or responds well to a lady/recovery test, the conditioning mode time can be short or might be skipped. If the battery is drained or weak, the process can be triggered or last longer. The charger cannot directly measure the temperature of the battery, but the "best" charging temperature is based on the response to voltage apply/ramp/load/monitor.

There are limits and some assumptions in the battery charging/test/response/maintaining of "smart"chargers with only terminal connections to the battery itself, but can result in a more controlled charge or maintenance than some other fixed charging methods.

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[Kendog 170]

Some newer chargers will go to a pulse mode. They claim it can double the life of the battery. Maybe this.
how does a pulse charger work - Bing

 

[Kendog 170]

I bought this cheap one and have been very happy with it. My Ragtop battery is 9 years old and I was going to replace it. I put this charger on it for a week in auto mode and it's been great all summer. Still starting in the cooler temps right now which if it didn't start 1st try last year I'd have to charge it. Now I'm curious how long it will last.
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0797XMSDL?tag=fabo03-20

 

[mpgmike]

I am not familiar with your particular charger, and previous comments may be correct and what I'm about to say may be wrong for your particular charger, but...

Lead acid batteries use plates with lead on one side and lead oxide on the other. Each cell sees one plate of lead and a second of lead oxide. Considering the electrolyte is sulfuric acid and water, there is an electro-chemical process that takes place.

With a fresh battery, pure lead and lead oxide plates, with a sulfuric acid/water electrolyte, electrons flow freely when an electrical connection is made -- when a load is placed on the battery. As electricity flows, the chemistry of the battery begins to change. The lead and lead oxide plates begin to get a film of lead sulfate. As this film builds with usage, the available energy depletes (battery voltage and capacity drop). When charged, the lead sulfate reverts back into lead and sulfuric acid. That's the concept of the lead acid battery in a nutshell.

In the real world, it takes >15.3 volts to fully desulfate the lead and lead oxide plates. What does an alternator put out? We can argue the tenths of a volt, but it's safe to say in just about all applications, less than 15.3 volts. What this means is that over time, the lead sulfate does not fully revert back into lead and sulfuric acid. In fact, lingering lead sulfate will begin to crystalize. When sufficiently large crystals have formed, they tend to flake off and fall to the bottom of the battery.

Now to your question: A conditioning charge or process is applying in excess of 15.3 volts to the battery to FORCE the desulphation of the plates. Pulsing prevents heat build up, and a "smart" charger will utilize the space between pulses to evaluate progress. I don't know if this helps you in your quest, but is my best answer to your question.

 

[cruiser]

I am not familiar with your particular charger, and previous comments may be correct and what I'm about to say may be wrong for your particular charger, but...

Lead acid batteries use plates with lead on one side and lead oxide on the other. Each cell sees one plate of lead and a second of lead oxide. Considering the electrolyte is sulfuric acid and water, there is an electro-chemical process that takes place.

With a fresh battery, pure lead and lead oxide plates, with a sulfuric acid/water electrolyte, electrons flow freely when an electrical connection is made -- when a load is placed on the battery. As electricity flows, the chemistry of the battery begins to change. The lead and lead oxide plates begin to get a film of lead sulfate. As this film builds with usage, the available energy depletes (battery voltage and capacity drop). When charged, the lead sulfate reverts back into lead and sulfuric acid. That's the concept of the lead acid battery in a nutshell.

In the real world, it takes >15.3 volts to fully desulfate the lead and lead oxide plates. What does an alternator put out? We can argue the tenths of a volt, but it's safe to say in just about all applications, less than 15.3 volts. What this means is that over time, the lead sulfate does not fully revert back into lead and sulfuric acid. In fact, lingering lead sulfate will begin to crystalize. When sufficiently large crystals have formed, they tend to flake off and fall to the bottom of the battery.

Now to your question: A conditioning charge or process is applying in excess of 15.3 volts to the battery to FORCE the desulphation of the plates. Pulsing prevents heat build up, and a "smart" charger will utilize the space between pulses to evaluate progress. I don't know if this helps you in your quest, but is my best answer to your question.

Got it - thanks!