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Battery Charger versus Power Supply Unit

12/01/2011 6:51 PM

good gentlemen, I have question regarding battery charger.. what different between battery charger and power supply unit? and can I use charger to replace a defective power supply?

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#1

Re: Battery Charger versus Power Supply Unit

12/01/2011 7:39 PM

Generally no because a battery charger does not act like a constant voltage (or current) source and its output will vary depending on load characteristics and battery charger logic.

In some cases the varying output voltage may be acceptable, or the battery charger may be one specifically designed (read expensive) to both charge up batteries and power a load with a constant voltage (or current), but generally it is a bad idea.

You should use a proper power supply, they aren't expensive and using a battery charger in its place is just asking for more trouble than its worth (such as potentially damaging the electronics it is powering through excessive voltage fluctuation and/or insufficient current supply).

What did you want to power?

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#2
In reply to #1

Re: Battery Charger versus Power Supply Unit

12/01/2011 7:57 PM

I have consumers like battery 185ah, RTU, gyro, and others navigation equipments..

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#5
In reply to #2

Re: Battery Charger versus Power Supply Unit

12/01/2011 10:30 PM

Then definitely use a regulated power supply otherwise you may damage the equipment or it may not operate correctly.

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#3

Re: Battery Charger versus Power Supply Unit

12/01/2011 7:58 PM

The intension of power supply is to get the constant DC power from an AC source. A good power supply should have filter and regulator in addition to the rectifier. A power supply can be used for charging the batteries with constant voltage charging. Generally, for small dry cell type batteries, power supply can be used as battery charger.

Unlike power supply, the battery charger's output is not the smooth DC, rather it may have sinusoidal wave ripples at the top of DC. During float charging (bulk charge, float charge etc.), the battery is charged by the ripple voltage and charge current can be controlled. The battery charger should have capability of controlling charging current and they are not intended to be used as power supply. The battery charger is generally used for wet cell batteries.

- MS

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#4

Re: Battery Charger versus Power Supply Unit

12/01/2011 8:22 PM

Maybe, maybe not. It depends on what you have as a battery charger and what you need the power supply for. We are unable to see into your mind from here... yet.

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