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Difference between a Power Supply & Charger

Power Supply: Provides power to electronic equipment
Charger: Charges storage Batteries

The Standard AC to DC Power Supply converts an electrical current to a constant voltage and current output with Over-voltage Protection and Over-current Protection.

The Standard Charger provides a controlled voltage that is higher than the battery voltage in order to charge it, and controls the charging current. The voltage changes as charging nears completion. The chemistry of the Rechargeable Battery or Battery Pack determines the type of charger:
* Lead Acid Charger (Pb),
* Nickel-Cadmium & Nickel-Metal Hydride Charger (NiCd/NimH),
* Li-Ion Battery Charger (Li-Ion),
* Lithium-Iron Phosphate Battery Chargers (LiFePO4).

Difference between a Lithium & Sealed Lead-Acid (SLA) Battery Charger

1. Charging Profile:
* Lithium chargers use a constant current, constant voltage (CC-CV) method. They charge quickly and efficiently without a float stage.
* SLA chargers follow a three-stage process: constant current, absorption (constant voltage), and float charging. The float stage helps maintain charge but isn't needed for lithium batteries.

2. Voltage Regulation:
* Lithium batteries require precise voltage control to prevent overcharging, which can lead to thermal runaway.
* SLA batteries tolerate slight overcharging due to their chemistry but can suffer from sulfation if improperly charged.

3. Safety Features:
* Lithium chargers often include overcharge protection, temperature monitoring, and balancing circuits to ensure safe charging.
* SLA chargers are simpler and lack balancing circuits since SLA batteries don’t require cell balancing.

4. Charging Speed:
* Lithium batteries charge faster because they don’t need absorption or float stage.
* SLA batteries take longer due to their multi-stage charging process.

5. Compatibility:
* Using an SLA charger on a lithium battery can be risky. If the charger has an automatic equalization mode, it may damage the lithium battery.
* Using a lithium charger on an SLA battery may not fully charge the SLA battery due to differences in charging profiles.

6. Using a Lithium Charger on SLA Battery:
* Lithium chargers typically operate at higher voltages and use a constant current/constant voltage (CC/CV) charging profile. SLA batteries, however, require a multi-stage charging process (bulk, absorption, and float stages).
* Using a lithium charger on an SLA battery may lead to overcharging, causing sulfation or damage to the battery's internal structure. This reduces the battery's capacity and lifespan.

7. Using a SLA Charger on Lithium Battery:
* SLA chargers lack the precision needed for lithium batteries, which require strict voltage control to avoid overcharging or overheating.
* Charging a lithium battery with an SLA charger can destabilize its electrochemical balance, leading to reduced efficiency, swelling, or even safety hazards like thermal runaway.