Abstract: An improved battery charger having a current limiting transformer for supplying a charging current. The transformer includes primary and secondary coils wound about a core and has a shunt path for a portion of the magnetic flux induced by the voltage appearing on the primary. A pair of silicon controlled rectifiers are alternately triggered into their forward conductive states at points relatively early in each alternating current half cycle to provide a maximum charging current when a substantially discharged battery is to be recharged. As the charging process progresses, the battery voltage increases and at a predetermined value of the battery voltage a smooth transition from the current-controlled mode to a voltage-controlled mode is inaugurated. After the change to the voltage-controlled mode has been completed, the SCRs are triggered into conduction much later in each cycle, thereby furnishing a very low or trickle current which can be continued indefinitely without damage to the battery.