A Tale of Two Chargers
When we got back from our two month winter stay in Texas this year, the battery in our stay at home car was dead. I attached my super smart B & D charger, and after welcoming me, it announced that the...
Forum Discussion
Batteries; either starting, or deep-cycle, will not recharge with a smart-charger unless the voltage is around 10.5 volts (considered almost a dead battery).
Voltages less than that usually require charging at a lower rate of 2 amps (or less) for a few hours to bring the battery back up to around 11.6 volts (>20%soc). If the smart-charger has a small battery (2 amp setting) it would be used first. Then the smart charger could work to finish charging on a higher amperage setting. Using your "dumb" charger would also work as you found out.
However; starting batteries can only recover from being allowed to discharge only a few times. You may find yourself having to replace the battery in the next few months.
Voltages less than that usually require charging at a lower rate of 2 amps (or less) for a few hours to bring the battery back up to around 11.6 volts (>20%soc). If the smart-charger has a small battery (2 amp setting) it would be used first. Then the smart charger could work to finish charging on a higher amperage setting. Using your "dumb" charger would also work as you found out.
However; starting batteries can only recover from being allowed to discharge only a few times. You may find yourself having to replace the battery in the next few months.
