west marine battery charger and reconditioner.

[dparilla]

I have a west marine 40 amp battery charger (bench charger) that has a reconditioning mode where it supposedly sends high amp pulses to the battery to break down sulfation. Does this technique work? And if so, how does it compare to using my lab power supply to equalize a battery?

 

[Stu Jackson]

Two separate things. MY experience has been that the pulse thing is snake oil. Equalization is completely different, with a higher voltage (15.5+/-) constant current charge for two to four hours.

 

[dparilla]

I have used a lab power supply to equalize for the last 5 years (and will continue to do so as I have had outstanding results). But my basic bench charger died, so I was able to get a good deal on one from West Marine. It has the recondition function on it, hence my curiosity.

Thanks,
Dan