

Similar to overcharge protection, overheat protection will shut off the charger when it reaches a certain temperature level. When your battery is fully charged, the charger will stop charging it or switch to maintain mode if it has built-in overcharge protection.
#Ring battery charger portable#
In addition to emergency lighting, there are some other safety features you should look for in a portable car battery charger. You should also be able to easily interpret the display and indicators. Look for a portable car battery charger that is easy to hook up and run. You can also charge the battery from the cigarette lighter in your vehicle with a DC plug adapter. For car batteries, a choice of clamps or O-ring terminals is standard. The more adapters included, the more versatile the portable car battery charger will be. If you select a charger with an LCD display, be sure that it is easy to read in both bright and low light.

Shoot for cables that are in the middle length-wise, and verify that the construction is heavy-duty.Ī portable car battery charger should be equipped with some form of display so you can track the battery level and other information. Some chargers also include an emergency roadside light as a safety feature.Ĭables that are too short can be difficult to hook up to your battery, while those that are too long can be difficult to store. FeaturesĪ helpful feature that some portable car battery chargers include is a built-in light so that you can more easily use the charger at night. A waterproof charger is a big plus, particularly if you plan on exposing it frequently to the elements. The more compact and lightweight a portable charger is, the easier it will be to carry around.Ī portable car battery charger should be corrosion- and rust-resistant. Even better, find a charger that comes with its own carrying case so you can securely store it and tote it around. As such, steer toward those that are durable both in terms of the charger housing and additional parts like the alligator clamps. Portable car battery chargers often take a beating, particularly if you keep the charger in your trunk. You’ll want to find out how long it takes to charge the battery so that it will start your car and how long it takes to completely charge the battery. If fast charging is something you require, check the specifications of a potential charger carefully to verify that it meets your needs. As you move up in price and power, the length of time it takes to charge a battery shrinks significantly. Less expensive portable car battery chargers often take their sweet time charging a battery. Though you will pay more, finding a portable charger with both capabilities will give you more options when dealing with a dead or dying car battery.

While chargers slowly power up a battery, raising its charge level over time, a jumper produces a fast burst of power to quickly start a dead battery. Chargers with USB ports can even be used to charge smartphones, tablets, and other devices.Ī battery charger and a battery jumper are two separate devices, but that doesn’t mean you can’t pick up a unit that can do both. Some portable car battery chargers can also charge the batteries for lawn mowers, jet skis, and other powered tools and toys. Is your car battery a 12-volt or a six-volt? Lead-acid or lithium-ion? Make sure the portable car battery charger can handle your vehicle’s battery before buying. Some portable car battery chargers can only charge a few types of batteries, while others are more flexible. Older batteries have a harder time holding onto a charge and drain more easily than new batteries. Portable car battery chargers are especially handy if your vehicle’s battery is several years old.
