This circuit delivers an initial voltage of 2.5V per cell to rapidly charge a car battery. The charging current decreases as the battery charges and when the current drops to 180 mA the charging circuit reduces the output voltage to 2.35 V per cell, leaving the battery in a fully charged state. This lower voltage prevents the battery from overcharching, which will shorten its life.
The LM301A compares the voltage drop across R1 with a 18 mV reference set by R2. The comparator’s output controls the voltage regulator, forcing it to produce the lower float voltage when the battery-charging current, passing through R1, drops bellow 180 mA. continue reading…