FAQ: Charger performance loss due to a poor connection of the clamps

Question: We have a charger with the specification of 20Amp current. However the current of the charger is sometimes lower.  Why is this so?

Answer: For high current charge and discharge, the resistance of the connections is significantly important. If the connection is not good it will cause overheating and the energy loss.  For example, some of the chargers have clamps to connect to the battery. If the clamps on the battery terminals are not positioned properly there maybe a loose connection that will cause energy losses.  As a result, with the increased resistance, the current of the charger may be reduced.

Solution tips: check the cabling of the charger, check the tightness of the clamps, remove any dirt from the terminals, do not connect the clamps to iron screws, connect to copper or aluminum terminals directly. For best performance use properly soldered hooks rather than the clamps.

Check also this article on voltage drop