Abstract: An apparatus for operating an external manual battery charger having a first AC power input and a DC charging output. The apparatus includes an AC controller configured to adjust at least one power parameter supplied to the AC power input of the external manual battery charger. The power parameter(s) may be any one or more of AC current, AC voltage and AC power. The apparatus further includes a feedback converter configured to monitor at least one charging parameter and to control the AC controller to adjust the one or more power parameters in accordance with the monitored charging parameter or parameters.

Abstract: An apparatus for operating an external manual battery charger having a first AC power input and a DC charging output. The apparatus includes an AC controller configured to adjust at least one power parameter supplied to the AC power input of the external manual battery charger. The power parameter(s) may be any one or more of AC current, AC voltage and AC power. The apparatus further includes a feedback converter configured to monitor at least one charging parameter and to control the AC controller to adjust the one or more power parameters in accordance with the monitored charging parameter or parameters.

Abstract: A splice enclosure is made from a non-conductive material. The splice enclosure has an arcuate groove configured to accept a cable, a first hole configured to hold a conductive piercing device therein, and a second hole configured to accept a thin lead having a stripped end. The stripped end of the thin lead can be compressively held over the conductive piercing device to create an electrical contact between the cable and the thin lead.

Abstract: An apparatus for operating an external manual battery charger having a first AC power input and a DC charging output. The apparatus includes an AC controller configured to adjust at least one power parameter supplied to the AC power input of the external manual battery charger. The power parameter(s) may be any one or more of AC current, AC voltage and AC power. The apparatus further includes a feedback converter configured to monitor at least one charging parameter and to control the AC controller to adjust the one or more power parameters in accordance with the monitored charging parameter or parameters.

Abstract: The present invention includes a portable power supply having a housing that encloses a battery. Booster cables protrude from the housing and are electrically connected to the battery. Electrical clamps are attached to the booster cables and may connect to electrical terminals. The housing may include a clamp anchor integral thereto. The clamp anchor may include an anchor base and an anchor finger, wherein the anchor finger is generally perpendicular to the anchor base. The electrical clamp may be secured on the clamp anchor. The present invention further includes a booster cable with an electrical clamp that has a clamp cover rotatably mounted on the electrical clamp. The clamp cover may cover some of the electrically conductive portions of the electrical clamp and/or provide additional positioning of the electrical clamp on the clamp anchor.

Abstract: The present invention includes a portable power supply having a housing that encloses a battery. Booster cables protrude from the housing and are electrically connected to the battery. Electrical clamps are attached to the booster cables and may connect to electrical terminals. The housing may include a clamp anchor integral thereto. The clamp anchor may include an anchor base and an anchor finger, wherein the anchor finger is generally perpendicular to the anchor base. The electrical clamp may be secured on the clamp anchor. The present invention further includes a booster cable with an electrical clamp that has a clamp cover rotatably mounted on the electrical clamp. The clamp cover may cover some of the electrically conductive portions of the electrical clamp and/or provide additional positioning of the electrical clamp on the clamp anchor.

Abstract: The present invention includes a portable power supply having a housing that encloses a battery. Booster cables protrude from the housing and are electrically connected to the battery. Electrical clamps are attached to the booster cables and may connect to electrical terminals. The housing may include a clamp anchor integral thereto. The clamp anchor may include an anchor base and an anchor finger, wherein the anchor finger is generally perpendicular to the anchor base. The electrical clamp may be secured on the clamp anchor. The present invention further includes a booster cable with an electrical clamp that has a clamp cover rotatably mounted on the electrical clamp. The clamp cover may cover some of the electrically conductive portions of the electrical clamp and/or provide additional positioning of the electrical clamp on the clamp anchor.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for charging a battery. A voltage controlled charger applies an initial charging signal and measures the battery terminal voltage. If the measured terminal voltage exceeds an upper threshold, the charger reduces the charging signal. If the measured terminal voltage falls below a lower threshold, the charger increases the charging signal. If the measured terminal voltage falls between the upper and the lower thresholds, the charger maintains the charging signal. Thereby, the charger substantially prevents the charging signal from exceeding the battery gassing potential during the charging process. The method and apparatus also desulfate deeply discharged batteries. The method and apparatus monitor a ripple voltage associated with the battery terminals to assess battery charge acceptance and battery quality. The amount of tolerable ripple voltage preferably decreases as the charging process proceeds.

Abstract: A fuse system for a battery charger provides fuse links for safely charging a plurality of batteries in parallel connection. A fuse system is used with a power supply comprising a positive and a negative terminal. The positive and negative terminals of the power supply are connected respectively to separate positive and negative bus bars of the fuse system. A plurality of connectors separately connect the positive bus bar to the positive terminals on the batteries and separately connect the negative bus bar to the negative terminals on the batteries. Each connector includes a fuse link. The fuse link comprises a plurality of fusible conductors connected in parallel. A transparent cover over the fuse link protects the operator and enables the visual inspection of the condition of the fuse link.

Abstract: The battery terminal clamp is capable of being received by batteries having either top post or side terminals. A connector is slidably carried between the clamp portions of a battery clamp. The connector includes a pair of longitudinal arms and interconnecting web providing a handle. The connector is selectively extensible beyond the connector jaws for engaging a battery side terminal. When connected to a battery side terminal the jaws engage the connector for applying pressure to the connector arms for assuring a good electrical and mechanical connection to the battery side terminal.

Abstract: A diode rectifier assembly includes a plurality of diodes having an anode and cathode sides. A plate electrically connects one side of the diodes while a current-regulating plate connects the other side of the diodes. The current-regulating plate includes a plurality of diode contact areas, a common conduction area and a plurality of links, each link electrically interconnecting one of the diode contact areas and the common conduction area. Each diode contact area connects a link to a diode, the links have predetermined areas for regulating current flow through associated diodes. The links have positive coefficient of resistence, and each diode contact area is thermally conductive, providing thermal connection from its associated diode to its associated link. The diode contact areas are held against the diodes by a resilient ring of insulating material. The links provide fuses for disconnecting diodes from the common conduction area when excessive current flows in a diode.

Abstract: This portable battery booster assembly includes a booster battery having positive and negative electrical connections. A portable housing contains the booster battery. A negative booster clamp is electrically connected to the battery booster negative connection, and a positive battery booster clamp is electrically connected to the battery booster positive connection. A pair of electrically conductive terminals are carried by the portable housing with each terminal selectively receiving one of the booster clamps for providing an electrical connection between the terminal and the battery. The housing includes a handle with an insulated bar carried by the handle. The bar carries a pair of tubular sleeves which provide the conductive terminals. Insulators electrically isolate the two sleeves from each other and from the handle.

Abstract: A polarity indicating battery booster assembly including a pair of booster wires with a first pair of battery clamps connected on one end and a second pair of battery clamps connected at the other end. A first light is connected to the pair of wires for indicating one polarity of connection of the first pair of battery clamps while a second light is connected to each of the wires for indicating the opposite polarity of connection of the first pair of battery clamps. Additional first and second lights are provided for determining the polarity of connection of the second pair of battery clamps. One of the second pair of battery clamps carries an electrical probe for checking polarity of that clamp. The first lights are green light-emitting diodes, and the second lights are red light-emitting diodes.

Abstract: A battery booster cable assembly includes a pair of booster wires. Each booster wire has first and second ends with a first pair of battery clamps attached to the first ends of the booster wires and the second pair of battery clamps attached to the second end of the booster wires. A switch selectively electrically interconnects the first and second ends of one of the booster wires. A voltage detector is responsive to voltage across the switch for determining if the voltage is greater or less than a predetermined value. A red LED indicates when the detected voltage is greater than the predetermined value, while a green LED indicates when the detected voltage is less than the predetermined value. A solenoid-actuated plunger selectively precludes actuation of the switch when the detected voltage is greater than the predetermined value. The switch and the red and green LED's are carried by a housing which includes two portions selectively slidable between first and second positions.

Abstract: A vehicle-starting circuit with excessive voltage detection in which a battery switch assembly including a first battery switch normally connecting the starting batteries in parallel, and a second battery switch operatively connecting or disconnecting the starting batteries to the stalled vehicle battery. A first control is provided for actuating the second battery switch, and is connected to the second battery switch for connecting the starting batteries in parallel to the stalled vehicle battery. A second control is connected to the first battery switch for actuating the first battery switch to one position for series connection when the second control is "on" and for allowing the first battery switch to return to normal position for parallel connection when the second control is "off." A voltage-detector is connected to the starting batteries and to the second control for turning the second control "off" if actuated.