Comparison Intertool AT-3011 vs Sturm BC2430

— Charger. In accordance with the name, such devices are designed to charge discharged batteries. In standard mode car batteries are recharged from the car's on-board power supply when the engine is running, but this option does not give sufficient guarantees: the battery can be discharged from a long staying in the garage, from being in the cold, due to headlights left on, etc. Chargers allow you to bring the battery back to normal in case of such troubles: they convert alternating current from a 230 V to direct current, with the parameters necessary for charging.

— Starting device (booster). Devices designed to start the engine when it is impossible to use the battery for this — if it is discharged or out of order. Such devices will be useful in cases where there is no time or opportunity to charge a standard battery (in particular, when “you need to go right now”). Typically, the booster has its own battery or supercapacitor, which allows such devices to be used regardless of sockets (see "Built-in battery capacity"). Also note that some “launchers” also provide use as a charger for various gadgets and are equipped with the appropriate connectors — USB or DC (for both, see below).

— Charger and jump starter. This category includes models that combine the capabilities of the types described above and are able to work both in the charger mode and in the starter mode. Such units...are the most versatile, however, they usually cost accordingly.

— Automatic battery charger. A specific type of chargers (see above) based on advanced control circuits using microprocessors. This design gives much more features than in the usual "charger". So, automatic chargers can be produced based on specific types of batteries that have special requirements for the charging procedure. Some models allow the connection of two energy sources at once, with automatic selection of the best option; this possibility is indispensable when using alternative energy sources, the power specifications of which can constantly change (for example, solar panels or wind generators). The design may even include temperature sensors that optimize the operation mode depending on the ambient temperature. The main disadvantage of automatic chargers is their high cost (despite the fact that for most classic car batteries, these advantages are not particularly important).

The nominal voltage of the batteries that the device can work with. For boosters (see "Type"), in this case, the voltage that the "starter" can output at the output in the engine start mode is indicated.

- 6 V. Voltage found in some motorcycles, scooters, ATVs and similar vehicles.

- 12 V. Standard voltage of batteries (and on-board networks) for passenger cars, as well as light trucks and minibuses.

- 24 V. Voltage used mainly in trucks, buses and other heavy equipment. Also found in some heavy SUVs.

Rated starting current of the starter or booster (see "Type").

In this case, we mean the current that the device in the engine start mode can produce for a relatively long time (at least 30 s, or even more). This indicator must not be lower than the rated starting current consumed by the starter of the car — otherwise the device simply does not have enough power to effectively scroll the starter and start the engine. Information about the required starting current can be clarified by the documentation for the machine, or by the characteristics of the battery that is used in it as standard. For most passenger cars, this figure lies in the range from 200 to 400 A ; less powerful starting devices are intended mainly for motorcycles and other similar vehicles, and more powerful ones for buses, trucks and other heavy equipment, among such “starters” there are models for 400 – 600 A and even more.

Peak inrush current of the starter or booster (see "Type").

Peak current is the highest current that the device can deliver without problems for a short time (1 – 2 s). This current is noticeably higher than the nominal starting current (see above), which corresponds to the operation of a car starter: starting to spin up, the starter consumes a very high current, which, however, decreases almost immediately.

The peak inrush current of the ROM or booster must not be less than the peak inrush current of the starter. You can specify the latter according to the documentation for the car, or according to the characteristics of a regularly used car battery.

The smallest current that the charger can provide in charging mode. See "Maximum charging current.

This parameter in our catalog is indicated only for those models that have several current adjustments (see below).

The highest current that the charger can provide in charging mode. For models with one current adjustment (see below), its value is also indicated in this paragraph.

Different battery models may differ in charging parameters, including over the optimum current range. Accordingly, it is worth choosing a charger in such a way that it matches this range. Detailed selection recommendations can be found in special sources — in particular, documentation for batteries.

The number of adjustments (fixed settings) of the current strength provided in the design of the charging device.

One adjustment means that the device is capable of delivering a strictly fixed current. And if there are several adjustments, then the more there are, the more accurately you can adjust the operating parameters for a specific battery, the less likely it is that the optimal current value will fall between two adjustments.

In addition, there are two specific types of adjustment — automatic and smooth. Smooth adjustment allows you to select almost any value of current strength within the adjustment range; in this case, the tuning accuracy can reach tenths or even hundredths of an ampere. On the other hand, such an adjustment is the most demanding on the knowledge and skills of the user: you need to know exactly the parameters of the battery being charged and strictly monitor the observance of the charging mode. The opposite option is automatic adjustment — when the charger independently determines and sets the required current value. This option is as convenient and simple as possible — only some basic settings may be required from the user, for example, specifying the type of battery being charged. At the same time, in some models, automation can not only initially set the optimal current stren...gth, but also regulate it during the charging process depending on the state of the battery, providing the most efficient and gentle charging mode.

Capacity of the own battery provided in the design of the starter-charger.

As a rule, boosters and launchers with a power bank function are equipped with their own batteries (see “Type”). The main purpose of such a battery from the point of view of helping to “light up” is to provide the power necessary to start the engine. However, in some models the battery is responsible for other functions, such as the built-in compressor or flashlight. The larger the battery capacity, the longer the device can operate, and the more tasks it can perform on a single charge.

In starting devices with the powerbank function, this parameter is also given to estimate how much energy the battery can accumulate and then transfer to connected gadgets. It is important to consider that there is a nominal (declared) and real capacity - the latter is always less, because it takes into account the inevitable losses during energy conversion. Typically the difference is from 30 to 40%, i.e. a model with a conventional battery capacity of 10,000 mAh will not fully charge a smartphone with a 3,000 mAh battery three times, but at best will provide two power cycles, because in practice its working capacity is about 6,000 mAh. Therefore, it is not entirely correct to compare the mAh values of your gadget’s battery with the nominal capacity of the built-in battery - you should definitely take into account that the real capacity is always less than the “rated” one.

- Voltmeter. A device that measures the operating voltage of a device. The specific purpose of such a device depends on the type of device (see above) and the format of its application. So, when starting, the voltmeter usually displays the voltage at the output of the device, and when charging, it can monitor the power voltage of the battery. In any case, this function provides additional information about the operating parameters.

- Ammeter. A device that measures the amount of power supplied by a device. Most often, this function is used when charging batteries, to control process parameters. However, there are devices that allow you to monitor the power in the process of starting the engine.

- Charging indicator. A pointer that displays the charge level of the car battery connected to the device. The specific device and functionality of such an indicator may be different: in some models it only signals the end of charging, in others it allows you to track the charge level throughout the entire process and even determine the approximate time until the end. Be that as it may, such an indicator makes it easier to follow the charging procedure - in particular, it allows you to accurately determine when the process is completed and the battery is ready for use.

- Recovery (desulfation). Recovery m...ode for lead-acid battery plates covered with crystalline deposits of sulfates. Note that the deposition of sulfates in itself is a normal process that occurs when the battery is discharged; when charging, these deposits, which have a porous structure, are destroyed. However, if the battery has been stored in a discharged form for a long time, sulfates turn from a porous form into a crystalline one, and ordinary charging is unable to destroy them. As a result, the performance of the battery deteriorates significantly, up to complete unusability. Recovery mode is used to eliminate such deposits. Its essence lies in the fact that pulses of a specially selected format are applied to the battery, which destroy the sulfate layer and restore the properties of the battery.

- Overcharge protection. Rechargeable battery protection from overcharging - situations when a battery charged up to 100% continues to be under power. This situation leads not only to excessive power consumption, but also to damage to the battery. To avoid this, many devices provide for automation that turns off the output voltage at the end of the charge. This noticeably “simplifies life” for the user: there is no need to constantly monitor the process, it will end on its own at the optimal moment.

- Battery status test. Possibility to check the condition of the battery. The specific set of tools and testing capabilities may be different, it should be specified separately; among the most popular options are power voltage test, charge level test, starting power test, cold start test. Be that as it may, this function can be very useful for general preventive diagnostics, and for checking the condition of the battery before charging.

- Winter charging mode. Specialized mode for charging the battery at low ambient temperatures. Under such conditions, the properties of batteries change somewhat, and a strong charge power can lead to sudden heating and damage to the battery. In light of this, it is worth using specialized devices to charge the battery in cold weather.

- Battery storage mode. An operating mode designed for long-term storage of batteries. In this mode, the device is constantly connected to the battery, it monitors the level of charge and periodically recharges the battery with low currents, keeping it in a state of constant readiness and preventing loss of performance.

- Power supply 12 V (supply mode). An operating mode in which the device serves as a constant 12 V power source and allows you to disconnect the battery without losing important settings on the car's on-board computer. However, this mode can also be used outside the car - when it is turned on, the device acts as a conventional 12 V power supply.

- Fast charge timer. Timer counting down the time in fast charging mode. This mode, in accordance with the name, allows you to reduce the time to charge the battery, however, fast charging is carried out at high currents, due to which even a small overcharge can lead to unpleasant consequences. And it is impossible to provide protection against overcharging in the traditional way (see above) with such a procedure for a number of technical reasons. In light of this, devices with a fast charging function provide a timer that counts down the time and gives a signal at the end of the process; some models may also have automatic power off.

- Remote start button. The engine start button, located separately from the body of the starting charger and connected to it with a wire of a rather long length. This button allows you to control the operation of the "launcher" at a distance - for example, sitting in the cockpit. This feature is especially useful when working with heavy equipment such as trucks or buses, where the cab can be located at a considerable distance from the hood.