1. Acceptable Input Voltage

An input higher than the voltage sustenance capacity of the charger may cause damage to its internal components. Most countries use a battery charger design of the universal global voltage 110-230Vac. Some manufacturers use a wide input design to match the 85-265Vac so that the charger can be used in all countries. A wide range of AC voltage input enables consumers in countries with unstable power to use chargers safely.

2. Charging Voltage, Current and Charging Time

The core of typical battery modules is 18650 lithium batteries. They are connected with serial and parallel connections. In case the device’s battery module is 10S (serial), you must select an output charger. Besides, the charger’s current size also affects the charging duration. For instance, a 20AH battery takes around four to five hours to charge with a 4A charger and about two to three hours with an 8A one.

3. Battery Type

Usually, battery chargers cannot identify the type of battery, whether LiNiCoMnO2, lead-acid or lithium-ion. Accordingly, when you step out to buy a battery charger, you must first determine the type of battery in use to enable the power supply. It can prevent situations like the battery not charging or getting damaged. Additionally, the charger’s output voltage should also match the battery to avoid damage to the latter.

4. Charger Port
Another significant factor is to ensure that the specification of the DC jack matches the device to be charged so that it charges properly. Some lithium-ion battery charger manufacturers serve the needs of various battery management systems. They also provide various types of DC jacks to fulfil the usage requirements of various devices.

5. Battery Chemistry
Batter chemistry is another imperative aspect to examine while choosing a battery charger. You must ensure that the charger is compatible with your battery’s chemistry. Not doing so can damage the battery or affect charging. Check the battery labels, documentation or packaging that comes with the battery to know its category and chemistry before considering a charger’s rated power and features.

6. Battery Charger Capability and Cooling Process
Cooling is a crucial aspect you must check before you finalize a battery charger. Common cooling techniques include fan-less natural cooling, water cooling and air-cooling design. A fan-less design can help lower the chance of malfunctioning due to dust and dirt accumulation on the fan. But natural heat dissipation without resulting in heat build-up and the high temperature remains challenging for the product’s structural design. Chargers with an air-cooling design use a fan to cool the charger. They prove advantageous on the circuit and maintenance front. On the other hand, chargers with a water-cooling design offer noiseless and better cooling. You can make a decision based on your device’s environmental requirements.

7. Features like Safe Charging Mode
While charging speed and efficiency matter, one cannot discount charging safety. The lithium-ion battery charger you choose must charge the device safely. Along with efficiency, a thoughtfully-designed charger should have an optimized charging curve design and various charging modes like pre-charge mode, current CC mode, floating charge mode and constant voltage CV mode. In addition, it should have complete charging protection designs and must meet the necessary regulations.