batterycharger

Sep 7, 2010
20
Hunter 38 Almere, the Netherlands
Just bought a CTEK batterycharger [made in Sweden, well Swedish China, but then, my i-Pad is also made in China], not for the boat, but my motorbike, and it has a multi charging program (desulphation, bulk, absorption, analyse, float,pulse).

Question: is desulphation the same as equalization....?
 
Feb 6, 1998
11,709
Canadian Sailcraft 36T Casco Bay, ME
Just bought a CTEK batterycharger [made in Sweden, well Swedish China, but then, my i-Pad is also made in China], not for the boat, but my motorbike, and it has a multi charging program (desulphation, bulk, absorption, analyse, float,pulse).

Question: is desulphation the same as equalization....?
No, desulfation is the pretty much the same as "snake oil"..... Nice marketing gimmick though...;)

An equalizing charge is a high voltage low current charge only eve done after the battery has undergone a full charge and is topped up on electrolyte.

Ideally it should be 15.2V to 16.0V (depending upon battery brand) and the current held at the lowest rate that holds the battery at that voltage and no higher. I use a bench top power supply for equalizing as it allows far more control over the high voltage and also independent control of current.

The CTEK chargers are not horrible but sold with of a bunch of "marketing" mumbo jumbo....
 
Jun 17, 2007
402
MacGregor Mac26S Victoria Tx
pabraam,

As Maine Sail said, it may not be the same thing but there may be some value to it. I was in the motorcycle business for over 30 years. Sulfation is a big issue of course. In the last few years we started using a pulse charger with the multi stages much like you described. (different brand)

We found that some batteries could be "brought back to life" by using it. Of course the motorcycle batteries were much smaller but I still own the same type of charger and periodically use it on my house batteries and cars.

Just bought a CTEK batterycharger [made in Sweden, well Swedish China, but then, my i-Pad is also made in China], not for the boat, but my motorbike, and it has a multi charging program (desulphation, bulk, absorption, analyse, float,pulse).

Question: is desulphation the same as equalization....?
 
May 24, 2004
7,173
CC 30 South Florida
That used to be years ago that you could blame Asian or third world manufacturers for faulty products. Nowday products and manufacturing processes includying machinery are built to design specs. They can design and manufacture a quality product as well as one to be sold cheap. Our reputable retailers and Brand manufacturers will usually design and manufacture overseas quality products as they have a reputation to uphold. But when defficient products are sold by well known retailers under Brand names we get deceived by false expectations. When low costs, good looks and features gain priority in the design criteria over product performance we are getting a bum deal at whatever price. Mighty convenient for our retailers and product designers for us to misdirect our blame to China. Shopper beware.