Battery Amps & Charger Amps..Do they have to match?

[wilson!]

The link below shows a 12V 6 Amp Single output Charger.
http://www.batterystuff.com/battery-chargers/12-volt/gel-cell/GU2608A.html

I have a Minn kota 30 powering my boat. I don't have my battery yet, but i want an AGM. Does the charger have be be a specific amperage to charge the battery??

In other words, can I charge the same 12 volt battery with a 6 Amp charger and a 21 Amp charger (not at the same time)? (Do batteries have Amp ratings and require specific chargers for them?) THANKS!

I'm so confused my boat is going to explode first time out.

 

[seabob4]

Re: Battery Amps & Charger Amps..Do they have to match?

The amperage rating of a charger is simply the amount of output available going back into the battery. You're always charging at 12V (actually, more like 14), but it is the amount of current (Amps) that is actually going back into the batt. The higher the current, the faster the charge rate...

 

[Silvertip]

Re: Battery Amps & Charger Amps..Do they have to match?

Batteries can be safely charged at up to 20% of their rated capacity. In other words a 100 Ahr battery can be safely charged at a 20 amp rate. That means you can use a charger with a 20 amp output or less. The 20 charger will get the job done quickest. A 10 amp charger will take twice as long, and a 5 amp charger four times as long. Batteries have a charge "profile" that the charger must be designed for or have a selector switch for. The charger you buy must be capable of charging batteries with that profie.