Battery Chargers
 
Most emergency generator manufacturers provide their own in-house brand battery charger or at least a recommended brand. So, if you have an Onan generator you will probably have an Onan charger, with a Kohler generator you'll have a Kohler charger, and so on. Although the charger is technically an option, a small trickle or float charger is usually supplied. Larger chargers are sometimes ordered with the generator as an alternative to the small 2-amp float charger.

The generator dealer may supply other brands like LaMarche, SENS, or Charles. Sometimes this helps him meet a specification or lower his costs.

Two types of chargers are most commonly used; they are current limiting and step chargers. Current limiting chargers work by targeting a voltage such as 12.85 VDC and then allowing the current to taper off as the battery charge level approaches this set point. While step chargers will charge at a higher rate for a timed period, then drop to the lower step. The step charger will not kick back up to the high step until the battery drops below the preset voltage.

These chargers are more costly than the charger you can get at an auto parts or discount store, but they are built to withstand continuous use. Unless hit by a utility surge or damaged in some other way, the standard charger supplied by the generator manufacturer may last more than 20 years.

If your generator’s float charger has failed we can repair it or replace it. Give us a call at 1-800-888-4594 or email us at office@generatorservices.com.

Home
Back to Lester's Science Corner

1