Best portable (very small) car battery charger?

Question

I am considering buying a battery charger but am very limited in terms of space. I have been reviewing some online stores and have seen a few chargers that seem to fit what i am looking for but since I am not sure what the good battery charger brands are out there i wanted to post first.

I am looking for a small-as-possible charger that can switch between trickle (most important) and "speed charging" (less important but would be nice) that can charge a 12v car battery and (most important) will atuomatically stop charging when the battery is finished but continue to "top off" the battery when it reaches below a certain point. If it was dual voltage (ie 120v & 240 that would be great but

240 is more important)

Any help/suggestions would really be appricated!

Cheers

-Gaiko

Richard Cole · Accepted Answer

GaikoYou don't say where you are or what space is available but a quick Googleusing the words 'battery charger trickle maintain' (without the ') foundabout 23,000 hits in the UK.The Draper 12V Automatic Battery Charger 8 Amp is 184 x 112 x 86mm shouldbe OK for your trickle and maintain requirements and also charges at 8amp(the description says on a web site I found from Google). It's 240v AC only (no 120v option).RichardFor caravanning tips and information visit

Joe · Answer

I bought one from NAPA a dozen years ago and it works beautifully; sounds like what you want.  Never overcharged or done any damage.  Check it out. It is about 12x6x3 and comes with ~4' leads.JoeGaiko wrote:

Cordy · Answer

Gaiko ha scritto:Your're looking for a IUoU battery charger, in a short word. You might want to google that word as well.It means: charge at maximum (but limited) Intensity, than top off using voltage controlled charge (U is the letter used to define electric difference of potential), than stop (0 changed in a non capital 'o'), than trickle charge, i.e. keep it at maximum voltage without overcharging or 'boiling' the acid.Than you might find a lot of more sofisticated charging cycles: any combination of those letters fits your description, as far as it starts with the above mentioned combination.

Best portable (very small) car battery charger?

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