Battery Chargers: Choosing the Right Projecta Intelli-Charge or Victron Blue Smart Charger
Whether you're maintaining the battery in your everyday vehicle, keeping your weekend car ready to go, charging the batteries in your caravan or boat, or looking after a large deep-cycle battery system, choosing the right battery charger is extremely important.
Modern batteries aren't all the same, and neither are modern battery chargers.
AGM, Calcium, Flooded Lead-Acid, GEL and Lithium batteries can have different charging requirements. Using a quality smart battery charger with the correct charging profile can help ensure your battery is charged correctly and maintained properly.
At A1 Batterypro Mackay and Townsville, we stock a range of 12V battery chargers, including two popular smart-charger ranges:
So, what's the difference between them, what size charger do you need, and which battery charger is right for your vehicle, caravan, boat, 4WD or deep-cycle battery?
Let's take a closer look.
Jump to a Section
What Is a Smart Battery Charger?
A smart battery charger is considerably more advanced than a basic battery charger.
Instead of continuously supplying the same voltage or current to a battery, an intelligent charger monitors the charging process and moves through different charging stages depending on the condition and state of charge of the battery.
These stages can include:
The exact process depends on the charger and battery type.
During the bulk charging stage, the charger generally supplies a higher amount of current to put energy back into the battery quickly.
As the battery becomes more charged, the charger transitions into absorption charging, where the battery voltage is controlled and the charging current gradually decreases.
Once charging is complete, a smart charger can move into a float or storage stage to help keep the battery maintained.
This makes a modern automatic battery charger useful not only for charging flat batteries but also for maintaining vehicles and equipment that aren't used every day.
Why Does Battery Type Matter When Charging?
One of the most important things to understand is that not every 12V battery should be charged in exactly the same way.
There are several common battery technologies used across cars, 4WDs, caravans, boats, motorcycles, trucks and other equipment.
These include:
AGM Batteries
AGM batteries are extremely common in modern vehicles, particularly vehicles fitted with higher electrical loads and start-stop systems.
Using a charger with an appropriate AGM battery charging mode helps ensure the battery receives the correct charging profile.
If you're searching for an AGM battery charger, both Projecta and Victron offer smart charging solutions capable of charging AGM batteries.
Calcium Batteries
Calcium batteries are also widely used in automotive applications.
Some Projecta Intelli-Charge models include a dedicated Calcium battery charging mode, allowing the charger to apply a charging program designed specifically for this battery chemistry.
Flooded Lead-Acid Batteries
Traditional wet or flooded lead-acid batteries are still used in many cars, trucks, machinery, marine and deep-cycle applications.
A suitable lead-acid battery charger can automatically manage the different charging stages required to restore and maintain these batteries.
GEL Batteries
GEL batteries require an appropriate charging voltage and shouldn't simply be treated exactly the same as every other lead-acid battery.
Both the Projecta Intelli-Charge range and Victron Blue Smart range have options designed to work with GEL batteries.
Lithium Batteries
Lithium batteries require a completely different charging strategy from conventional lead-acid batteries.
If you have a lithium battery, you should use a lithium-compatible battery charger with a charging program suitable for the battery.
Projecta Intelli-Charge models support lithium charging alongside Wet, AGM, GEL and Calcium modes, while Victron's Blue Smart chargers also provide dedicated lithium charging profiles.
Projecta Intelli-Charge Battery Chargers
The Projecta Intelli-Charge range is an excellent option for automotive, workshop, caravan, camping, marine, 4WD and deep-cycle applications.
Projecta offers several charger sizes, meaning you can select a charging current that is appropriate for the size of the battery or battery bank you're working with.
The larger Intelli-Charge models are capable of charging:
- Wet batteries
- AGM batteries
- GEL batteries
- Calcium batteries
- Lithium batteries
Projecta's current Intelli-Charge documentation also includes high-output models capable of charging large automotive and deep-cycle batteries.
Projecta Intelli-Charge IC25 and IC25W
If you require more charging power, moving up to a 25A battery charger can dramatically reduce charging time on larger batteries.
The Projecta Intelli-Charge IC25W is particularly well suited to workshop and home-garage environments.
The IC25W features adjustable output rates of:
This means you don't necessarily have to charge every battery at the full 25 amps.
You can select a lower charging current for smaller batteries and increase the charging rate when working with larger-capacity batteries.
The IC25W supports Wet, AGM, GEL, Calcium and Lithium batteries and also includes a power supply mode for operating 12V equipment at a controlled voltage.
For workshops or people who regularly work with different-sized batteries, this flexibility can be extremely useful.
Projecta Intelli-Charge IC35
Moving further up the range is the Projecta IC35 35A battery charger.
The IC35 provides adjustable charging rates of:
This makes it particularly useful for larger batteries and battery systems commonly found in:
- Caravans
- Motorhomes
- Boats
- 4WDs
- Large deep-cycle applications
- Commercial applications
The IC35 supports Wet, AGM, GEL, Calcium and Lithium batteries.
It also incorporates temperature compensation and a power supply mode and is designed for high-demand applications such as caravans and motorhomes.
Why Adjustable Charging Current Is Important
One of the advantages of larger Projecta Intelli-Charge battery chargers is the ability to reduce the charging current.
Imagine you own a 35A charger.
That doesn't necessarily mean you need to put 35 amps into every battery you connect.
A large deep-cycle battery or battery bank may benefit from the additional charging capacity, while a smaller automotive or motorcycle battery may require a much lower charging rate.
This makes an adjustable charger useful if you're regularly charging different battery sizes.
Projecta Power Supply Mode
Another useful feature available on supported Projecta Intelli-Charge chargers is Power Supply Mode.
Rather than performing a normal multi-stage battery charging cycle, the charger can maintain a constant DC voltage for powering suitable 12V equipment.
This can be particularly useful in:
- Automotive workshops
- Auto electrical work
- Caravan installations
- 12V testing
- Equipment demonstrations
- Electrical diagnostics
It adds another level of versatility to the charger beyond simply recharging batteries.
Projecta Battery Reconditioning
Supported Projecta Intelli-Charge models also incorporate charging stages designed to analyse and, where appropriate, recondition compatible lead-acid batteries.
However, it's important to understand what battery reconditioning actually means.
A battery reconditioning charger cannot repair every bad battery.
If a battery has:
- An internal short circuit
- Physical plate damage
- A failed cell
- Severe internal deterioration
- Other significant internal damage
a reconditioning cycle isn't going to magically turn it back into a new battery.
If your battery continually goes flat, has difficulty starting the vehicle or doesn't seem to hold charge properly, having the battery properly tested is important.
Victron Blue Smart Battery Chargers
Another range we recommend looking at is the Victron Energy Blue Smart charger range.
Victron Blue Smart chargers combine intelligent multi-stage charging with one particularly useful feature:
Bluetooth Connectivity
Compatible Victron Blue Smart battery chargers can connect wirelessly to your smartphone or tablet using the VictronConnect app.
Through VictronConnect, you can monitor the charger and adjust settings without needing to physically operate the charger itself.
Victron says the app can be used to adjust charging profiles, monitor real-time charging status and view charging history.
For customers who enjoy being able to see exactly what their battery charger is doing, this is a major advantage.
What Can You See in the VictronConnect App?
Using Bluetooth and the VictronConnect app, compatible Blue Smart chargers provide access to information and settings including:
- Battery charging status
- Charging voltage
- Charging current
- Charging stage
- Charging history
- Battery charging profiles
- Charger configuration
- Advanced charging settings
This effectively turns your phone into a control and monitoring screen for your battery charger.
Victron Blue Smart IP65 Battery Charger
One of Victron's popular ranges is the Blue Smart IP65 Charger.
The Blue Smart IP65 supports common battery technologies including:
- Flooded lead-acid
- AGM
- GEL
- Lithium / LiFePO4
Victron also allows users to select pre-programmed charging profiles or configure custom charging settings using VictronConnect.
This makes the Blue Smart range particularly appealing to people who want greater control over exactly how their batteries are being charged.
Victron Battery Storage Mode
A particularly useful feature of the Victron Blue Smart charger is its storage charging functionality.
This can be ideal for batteries in vehicles or equipment that spend long periods sitting unused.
For example:
Rather than continually treating the battery as though it needs a normal charging cycle, Victron's storage mode changes the charging strategy after the battery reaches full charge.
This makes the Blue Smart range suitable for battery maintenance charging as well as conventional battery charging.
What Size Battery Charger Do I Need?
This is one of the most common questions when people are looking for a new 12V battery charger.
There's no single charging rate that is perfect for every battery.
The appropriate charger depends on several factors, including:
- Battery capacity in Ah
- Battery chemistry
- Battery condition
- Whether it's a starting or deep-cycle battery
- How quickly you need the battery charged
- Whether multiple batteries are connected
- The battery manufacturer's charging recommendations
For example, there is a big difference between charging a small motorcycle battery and charging a large 100Ah, 150Ah or 200Ah deep-cycle battery.
A small charger might eventually recharge a large battery, but the charging process can take significantly longer.
Moving to a 15A, 25A, 30A, 35A or 50A battery charger can make considerably more sense for larger-capacity battery systems, provided the battery manufacturer permits that charging rate.
What Battery Charger Is Best for a Car?
For a normal passenger vehicle, the ideal car battery charger depends largely on the battery fitted to the vehicle.
Before choosing a charger, identify whether the vehicle has:
- AGM
- Calcium
- Flooded lead-acid
- Another battery type
Modern European vehicles and start-stop vehicles frequently use AGM batteries, for example, meaning an AGM-compatible charging mode can be important.
The battery's capacity should also be considered when choosing charger output.
What Battery Charger Is Best for a 4WD?
A 4WD battery charging setup can be considerably more complicated.
The vehicle may have:
- One starting battery
- A starting and auxiliary battery
- AGM batteries
- Calcium batteries
- Lithium auxiliary batteries
- Deep-cycle batteries
- Solar charging
- DC-DC charging
For a 4WD owner, a quality 240V battery charger can be a useful way of periodically bringing the starting or auxiliary battery back to a full state of charge.
Larger Projecta Intelli-Charge or Victron Blue Smart chargers can be suitable depending on the battery type, capacity and charging requirements.
What Battery Charger Is Best for a Caravan?
Caravan batteries are often significantly larger than a normal starting battery.
A caravan may contain one or several:
- AGM deep-cycle batteries
- Lithium batteries
- Lead-acid batteries
Because of the increased battery capacity, a more powerful caravan battery charger can significantly reduce charging time.
This is where higher-output chargers such as the Projecta Intelli-Charge range can become particularly useful.
What Battery Charger Is Best for a Boat?
A quality marine battery charger can help maintain both starting and deep-cycle batteries used in boats.
Because boats can sometimes sit unused between trips, maintenance charging can also be particularly valuable.
Depending on your battery system, either a Projecta Intelli-Charge or Victron Blue Smart charger may provide an appropriate solution.
Can I Leave a Smart Battery Charger Connected?
One of the major advantages of modern smart battery chargers is their ability to change charging stages once the battery reaches full charge.
Rather than continuously charging the battery at maximum output, compatible chargers transition into maintenance, float or storage modes.
Victron specifically designs its Blue Smart storage mode for batteries that may remain connected for extended periods while equipment is inactive.
However, you should always use the charger according to its instructions and ensure the selected charging mode is appropriate for the battery.
Find Battery Chargers at A1 Batterypro
Battery Chargers in Mackay
If you're looking for a battery charger in Mackay, visit the team at A1 Batterypro Mackay.
We can help you find a suitable battery charger for applications including:
- Cars
- 4WDs
- Caravans
- Boats
- Motorcycles
- Deep-cycle batteries
- AGM batteries
- Calcium batteries
- Lithium batteries
- Automotive batteries
- Marine batteries
Whether you're looking for a Projecta battery charger in Mackay, a Victron battery charger in Mackay, or simply need advice on what size battery charger you should use, our team can help you find the right charging solution.
Battery Chargers in Townsville
Looking for a battery charger in Townsville?
Visit A1 Batterypro Townsville for battery charging solutions for automotive, marine, caravan, 4WD and deep-cycle applications.
If you're unsure whether you need a 5A, 10A, 15A, 25A, 35A or larger charger, our team can help you work out which charger suits your battery capacity and battery chemistry.
Whether you're searching for a Projecta battery charger in Townsville, a Victron Blue Smart charger in Townsville, an AGM battery charger, lithium battery charger or 12V smart battery charger, talk to A1 Batterypro.
Frequently Asked Questions About Battery Chargers
Can I use a normal battery charger on an AGM battery?
You should use a battery charger with a charging profile suitable for your AGM battery and follow the battery manufacturer's charging recommendations.
Both Projecta Intelli-Charge and Victron Blue Smart chargers offer charging options designed for AGM batteries.
Can I charge a Calcium battery with an AGM charger?
Different battery chemistries can have different charging requirements.
Rather than assuming one charging mode is appropriate for another battery chemistry, identify the battery type and select a charger and charging mode suitable for that battery.
Projecta Intelli-Charge models include dedicated Calcium battery charging capability on supported chargers.
Can a smart charger repair a dead battery?
A smart charger may be capable of recovering some heavily discharged batteries, but no charger can repair every damaged battery.
A battery with significant internal damage or a failed cell may require replacement.
What amp battery charger should I buy?
The ideal charger size depends primarily on your battery chemistry, battery capacity and recommended maximum charging current.
A small motorcycle battery may only require a low charging current, whereas a large deep-cycle battery or battery bank may benefit from a 15A, 25A, 35A or higher-output charger.
Is a 25A battery charger too big?
Not necessarily.
It depends on the battery.
Many higher-output chargers allow the charging current to be reduced when charging smaller batteries.
For example, the Projecta IC25W can be selected between 2A, 6A, 12A and 25A.
Is a 35A battery charger better than a 15A charger?
A higher charging current isn't automatically better.
A larger charger can charge compatible high-capacity batteries faster, but the charging current still needs to be appropriate for the battery.
What's the difference between a trickle charger and a smart charger?
Traditional trickle chargers generally provide a small continuous charging current.
A modern smart battery charger actively changes its charging process depending on the battery's state of charge and can move through bulk, absorption, float and storage stages.
Do battery chargers work with Lithium batteries?
Only use a charger and charging mode that is specifically compatible with your lithium battery.
Both the Projecta Intelli-Charge and Victron Blue Smart ranges contain lithium-compatible charging options.
What is the best battery charger for a car that doesn't get driven often?
For vehicles that spend long periods parked, a smart charger with maintenance or storage charging capability can be particularly useful.
This allows the battery to be maintained rather than repeatedly becoming discharged between drives.
Find the Right Battery Charger at A1 Batterypro
Choosing the right battery is important.
Choosing the right way to charge and maintain that battery can be just as important.
Whether you're looking for a:
12V battery charger
Car battery charger
AGM battery charger
Calcium battery charger
Lithium battery charger
Deep-cycle battery charger
Caravan battery charger
4WD battery charger
Marine battery charger
Motorcycle battery charger
Smart battery charger
Battery maintainer
Projecta Intelli-Charge
Victron Blue Smart charger
The team at Mackay and Townsville can help you find the correct charger for your battery and application.
Don't know what battery chemistry you have?
Don't know how many amps your charger should be?
Or aren't sure whether Projecta or Victron is better suited to your setup?
