1. Battery Type Matters

In all likelihood, a consumer’s SUV battery is a flooded lead-acid battery. But that should never be assumed. Some models come with an AGM battery. Battery type does matter when it comes to buying a charger for an SUV, especially if the installed battery is an AGM, Spiral Wound or LFP Lithium battery. Use of an incompatible charger on any of these batteries can damage the battery or potentially cause a fire.

For example, an AGM (absorbed glass mat) battery is designed to be more durable and vibration-resistant. It is ideal for SUVs because it can handle day-to-day needs while lasting longer. But AGM batteries have different charging requirements, and are very sensitive to over-voltage conditions. As such, it is critical that any charger used on an AGM battery is specifically capable of servicing that battery type.

2. Battery Capacity Matters, Too

A battery’s capacity is measured in ampere-hours (Ah). Before buying a battery charger, customers should be checking battery capacity. The battery charger and battery should be matched in terms of output capacity. As a professional, you are likely to use a battery charger capable of different outputs.

3. Charging Speed

Charging speed is a big thing for professionals. You need batteries to charge as quickly as possible. It is not such a big deal for consumers. However, some want faster charge times. Here’s what consumers don’t know: charging a battery too quickly can lead to unnecessary stress for the battery. And that could reduce a battery’s life if fast charging occurs frequently enough.

Ideally, a consumer wants a charger with a nice balance between speed and efficiency. Finding that balance reduces the risk to battery health while also allowing a battery to charge as quickly as is safely possible. At Clore, we recommend going “low and slow” whenever possible for greatest battery health.  That means never utilizing a charge rate exceeding 20% of the battery’s Ah rating. So, for a 70 Ah battery, you would not want to exceed 15A.

4. Built-In Safety Features

Consumers often don’t know what to look for in terms of safety features. As an auto service professional, we assume safety features are a top priority. Remind your customers to look for battery chargers with some or all the following:

• Overcharge Protection – Prevent those batteries from overcharging.
• Reverse Polarity – Inadvertently reversing the polarity when charging a battery in a vehicle could lead to costly damage. Reverse polarity protection prevents that problem.
• Short Circuit Protection – Charging a battery with a short circuit can also damage a car’s electrical system. A charger with built-in short circuit protection minimizes this risk.

Clore Automotive battery chargers feature a broad array of safety features that allow users to have peace of mind when servicing their batteries. The safer a battery charger is to use, the better for both user and vehicle.

5. Price and Unit Longevity

Finally, consumers often don’t understand the relationship between price, quality and unit longevity. Warranties in the category are all of the board, in terms of length of warranty. Some chargers have no warranties at all. Some cheap product features long warranties with the expectation that users won’t go through the hassle of availing themselves of warranty satisfaction. At Clore, we offer a 1-Year (or longer, in the case of some of our wheel chargers) Limited Warranty from the date of end user purchase. In many cases, this includes the ability to return the unit for an exchange at your place of purchase, adding convenience and reducing hassle.

Buying a new battery charger for an SUV can be complicated. Consumers do not always know what to look for, how much to pay, or whether a charger has the right safety features. Here at Clore Automotive, we make all the important information available before purchase so that users can choose the product that best meets their needs.