Battery recharger

A starting aid for motors having a starter storage battery, comprising:

• at least first and second rechargeable batteries, said first and second batteries having a combined nominal voltage when connected in series greater than the voltage of the starter storage battery, and each having a nominal voltage substantially less than the nominal voltage of the starter storage battery, and said first and second batteries having a rated current output substantially smaller than the starter storage battery but sufficient to transfer enough charge to the starter storage battery to start the motor, said first and second batteries each comprising seven 1.2-volt nickel cadmium cells;
• a first circuit connecting said first and second batteries in series for charging the starter storage battery when in a discharged condition;
• a second circuit connecting said first and second batteries in parallel for recharging from the starter storage battery;
• switching means for selectively switching between said first and second circuits;
• and
• connecting means for coupling said first and second circuits to the starter storage battery, whereby the starter storage battery, when in a discharged state, may be charged by said first and second batteries, and when in a charged state, may be used to recharge said first and second batteries with or without the motor being operated.

A starting aid for motors having a starter storage battery, comprising:

• at least first and second rechargeable batteries, said first and second batteries having a combined nominal voltage when connected in series greater than the voltage of the starter storage battery, and each having a nominal voltage substantially less than the nominal voltage of the starter storage battery, and said first and second batteries having a rated current output substantially smaller than the starter storage battery but sufficient to transfer enough charge to the starter storage battery to start the motor, said first and second batteries each comprising four 2.0 volt sealed lead cells,
• a first circuit connecting said first and second batteries in series for charging the starter storage battery when in a discharged condition;
• a second circuit connecting said first and second batteries in parallel for recharging from the starter storage battery, and including a voltage regulator for supplying a constant and uniform recharging voltage to said first and second batteries;
• switching means for selectively switching between said first and second circuits;
• and
• connecting means for coupling said first and second circuits to the starter storage battery, whereby the starter storage battery, when in a discharged state, may be charged by said first and second batteries, and when in a charged state, may be used to recharge said first and second batteries with or without the motor being operated.

A starting aid for motors having a starter storage battery, comprising:

• at least first and second rechargeable batteries, said first and second batteries having a combined nominal voltage when connected in series greater than the voltage of the starter storage battery, and each having a nominal voltage substantially less than the nominal voltage of the starter storage battery, and said first and second batteries having a rated current output substantially smaller than the starter storage battery but sufficient to transfer enough charge to the starter storage battery to start the motor, said nominal voltage of each of said first and second batteries being about 8 volts, and said rated current output of said combined first and second batteries being about 5 amperes;
• a first circuit connecting said first and second batteries in series for charging the starter storage battery when in a discharged condition;
• a second circuit connecting said first and second batteries in parallel for recharging from the starter storage battery;
• switching means for selectively switching between said first and second circuits;
• and
• connecting means for coupling said first and second circuits to the starter storage battery, whereby the starter storage battery, when in a discharged state, may be charged by said first and second batteries, and when in a charged state, may be used to recharge said first and second batteries with or without the motor being operated.

A starting aid for motors having a starter storage battery, comprising:

• at least first and second rechargeable batteries, said first and second batteries having a combined nominal voltage when connected in series greater than the voltage of the starter storage battery, and each having a nominal voltage substantially less than the nominal voltage of the starter storage battery, and said first and second batteries having a rated current output substantially smaller than the starter storage battery but sufficient to transfer enough charge to the starter storage battery to start the motor;
• a first circuit connecting said first and second batteries in series for charging the starter storage battery when in a discharged condition;
• a second circuit connecting said first and second batteries in parallel for recharging from the starter storage battery, including means for restricting recharging current flow to each of said first and second batteries to a trickle charge, whereby said fist and second batteries may be safely recharged for a prolonged time period, said means for restricting recharging current flow further providing means for protection of said first and second batteries from damage during recharging if said first and second batteries are at different voltages, whereby said first and second batteries will not undergo damage if at different voltages during operation by normal variations in operating voltage over time or by failure of one battery, producing a short circuit across the other battery;
• switching means for selectively switching between said first and second circuits;
• and
• connecting means for coupling said first and second circuits to the starter storage battery, whereby the starter storage battery, when in a discharged state, may be charged by said first and second batteries, and when in a charged state, may be used to recharge said first and second batteries with or without the motor being operated.

A portable starting aid for motors having a starter storage battery, comprising:

• at least first and second rechargeable batteries, said first and second batteries having a combined nominal voltage when connected in series greater than the voltage of the starter storage battery, and each having a nominal voltage sufficiently less than the nominal voltage of the starter storage battery to be recharged at least at a trickle charge rate by the starter storage battery without the motor being operated, and said first and second batteries having a rated current output substantially smaller than the starter storage battery but sufficient to transfer enough charge to the starter storage battery to start the motor;
• a first circuit connecting said first and second batteries in series for charging the starter storage battery when in a discharged condition, said first circuit having means for restricting a charging current from said first and second batteries to a predetermined safe level;
• a second circuit connecting said first and second batteries in parallel for recharging from the starter storage battery, said second circuit having means for restricting recharging current flow to each of said first and second batteries to a trickle charge and for protection of said first and second batteries from damage during recharge if said first and second batteries are at different voltages;
• switching means for selectively switching between said first and second circuits, said switching means including a manually operable switch;
• a portable housing for enclosing said first and second batteries and said first and second circuits, said manually operable switch being mounted for access externally of said housing;
• at least one indicator means in each of said first and second circuits for indicating the functioning thereof;
• and
• connecting means for coupling said first and second circuits to the starter storage battery, said connecting means including a cable having a removable connector for connection to a connector mounted on said housing and a removable plug for insertion into a vehicle cigarette lighter outlet to place the positive and negative terminals of the starter storage battery in electrical connection with said first and second circuits, and including connection indicator means for indicating said removable connector is connected to said housing connector.

A starting aid for motors having a starter storage battery, comprising:

• at least first and second rechargeable batteries, said first and second batteries having a combined nominal voltage when connected in series greater than the voltage of the starter storage battery, and each having a nominal voltage sufficiently less than the nominal voltage of the starter storage battery to be recharged at least at a trickle charge rate by the starter storage battery without the motor being operated, and said first and second batteries having a rated current output substantially smaller than the starter storage battery but sufficient to transfer enough charge to the starter storage battery to start the motor, said nominal voltage of each of said first and second batteries being about 8 volts;
• a first circuit connecting said first and second batteries in series for charging the starter storage battery when in a discharged condition, said first circuit having means for restricting a charging current from said first and second batteries to a predetermined safe level;
• a second circuit connecting said first and second batteries in parallel for recharging from the starter storage battery, said second circuit having means for restricting recharging current flow to each of said first and second batteries to a trickle charge and for protection of said first and second batteries from damage during recharge if said first and second batteries are at different voltages;
• switching means for selectively switching between said first and second circuits, said switching means including a manually operable switch;
• and
• connecting means for detachably coupling said first and second circuits to the starter storage battery, said connecting means including a cable having a removable plug for insertion into a vehicle cigarette lighter outlet to place the positive and negative terminals of the starter storage battery in electrical connection with said first and second circuits.