Abstract: The charging device contains a two-part conductor bar (18', 18"), the two parts of which can be connected by means of a contact pair (32). When the contact pair is closed, the conductor bar connects a connecting terminal (15) for the accumulator battery (16) to be charged with the primary winding of a firing transformer (37) and with a device (33, 34, 36) for energizing the firing transformer as a function of the voltage of the battery. When the contact pair is opened, the primary winding of the firing transformer and the aforementioned device are separated from the connecting terminal. In addition a control circuit (31) for the contact pair is provided, which receives a first input signal from a timer (26) and a second input signal from a series resistor (12) in the charging circuit.