Method and apparatus for charging a battery

An apparatus for charging a lead acid storage battery, comprising:

• a first electrical connector adapted to connect to a positive terminal of the battery;
• a second electrical connector adapted to connect to a negative terminal of the battery;
• an electrical charging source adapted to provide a charge signal to the first and second connectors, the charge signal sufficiently large to charge the battery, wherein the charge signal includes an AC signal component;
• a memory adapted to contain stored information related to the battery;
• an input adapted to receive input information related to the battery;
• and
• a microprocessor coupled to the electrical charging source adapted to responsively control the charge signal as a function of the input information, the AC signal component of the charge signal and the stored information.

A method performed by an apparatus for charging a lead acid storage battery, comprising:

• generating a charge signal having sufficient energy to charge the battery;
• applying the charge signal to the storage battery to charge the battery, wherein the charge signal includes an AC signal component;
• sensing a voltage related to the AC signal component of the charge signal;
• sensing a current related to the AC signal component of the charge signal;
• and
• determining state of charge of the battery as a function of a ratio of the sensed voltage and sensed current.

A method performed by an apparatus for charging a lead acid storage battery, comprising:

• generating a charge signal having sufficient energy to charge the storage battery, wherein the charge signal includes an AC signal component;
• applying a charge signal to the storage battery to charge the battery;
• retrieving stored information related to the battery stored in a memory;
• receiving input information related to the battery through an input;
• and
• responsively controlling the charge signal as a function of the input information, the AC signal component of the charge signal and the stored information related to the battery.