What if a smart battery charger that can fill up your battery by itself and then keeps it topped off without going overboard.
That is what an automatic charger with a trickle circuit does.
It has a special part that watches the batteries power level voltage.
While the battery is low, it pushes electricity in to fill it up.
Once the battery is full, it switches to a slow trickle mode, like a tiny sip of power, to keep it topped off and healthy.
This smart charging helps batteries last longer because it does not overstuff them with electricity!
Circuit Working:
Parts List:
| Component | Description | Quantity | Wattage |
|---|---|---|---|
| Resistors | 1/4 watt unless specified | ||
| 10k | 1 | 1/4 W | |
| 3.3Ω | 1 | 3W | |
| Semiconductors | |||
| Transistor | TIP31 | 1 | |
| Zener Diode | 13.8V, 400mW | 1 | |
| Diode | 1N4004 | 1 | |
| Battery | 12V | 1 |
This circuit is designed to maintain a battery at full charge automatically.
When the battery voltage reaches 13.8V the charge current decreases.
The battery remains usable at all times and the charger ensures it stays fully charged.
The transistor serves as a power regulator similar to a zener diode, with the 13.8V zener voltage applied to the base.
This design prevents the supply rail from exceeding 14.4V (13.8V + 0.6V).
The 1N4004 diode drops the voltage by 0.6V delivering 13.8V to the battery.
If a power supply capable of exceeding 16V no load is used instead of the plug pack a 3.3 ohm 3 watt resistor 3.3ohm will be necessary.
The transistor is responsible for diverting the charging current from the battery converting it into heat and thus protecting the battery.
Formulas:
You can find a few pertinent formula from the circuit above to comprehend certain circuit components.
Voltage Divider (R1 and R2):
This circuit divides the bias voltage at the transistors base TIP31, regulating the batteries charging current as a result.
The base voltage (Vb) of the transistor may be found using the voltage divider formula:
Vb = Vin * (R2 / (R1 + R2))
where,
- The voltage at the transistors base is Vb TIP31.
- The input voltage, Vin comes from the power source.
- The resistor values 3.3Ω and 10k in the diagram are denoted by R1 and R2.
Note:
Using a professional battery charger made for your particular battery type is strongly advised for both safety reasons and to guarantee correct battery charging.
These chargers are made to provide your battery the best possible charge and have built-in safety measures.
How to build:
To build a Automatic Battery Charger with Trickle Charger Circuit follow the below mentioned connections process:
- Connect a base of transistor TIP31 in the series of zener diode and a 10k resistor.
- Connect the zener diode one end to positive supply and the other end to ground with 10k resistor.
- Connect the collector of transistor TIP31 directly to positive supply.
- Connect the emitter of transistor TIP31 to the ground.
- Connect a positive supply of a 12V battery in series of diode 1N4004 and resistor 3.3Ω to output DC.
- Connect the negative supply of battery to ground.
Note:
- Double check all connections before applying power.
- Use appropriate safety gear, such as goggles and gloves.
- Keep the circuit away from water and moisture.
- Do not touch the circuit when it is powered on.
- Disconnect the power when not in use.
Conclusion:
An Automatic Battery Charger with Trickle Charger Circuit is a valuable device for maintaining batteries in optimal condition.
By automatically adjusting the charging current based on battery voltage it prevents overcharging and extends battery life.
The trickle charging feature ensures that the battery remains fully charged and ready for use without damaging the battery.
Overall, this circuit provides a reliable and efficient method for charging and maintaining batteries in various applications.