The charge time of a sealed lead-acid battery is 11-17 hours (up to 36 hours for larger capacity batteries). Lead-acid cannot be fully charged as quickly as nickel or lithium-based systems.
The way in which you charge your battery will very much depend on its application. As with most batteries, it is important to seek advice from your battery manufacturer with regards to both the correct battery and charging techniques for your application.
Sealed Lead-acid batteries (generally used for stand-by) need to be charged with a constant voltage charger with a current limiter. Generally when first purchased, the battery should be put on charge from anything from 24hrs to several days. From this point onwards, a constant charge current is applied which is slightly more than the self discharge rate of the battery (float charge).
Charging with power supply
Lead-acid batteries such as car and bike batteries can be charged manually with a commercial power supply featuring voltage regulation and current limiting. Calculate the charge voltage according to the number of cells and desired voltage limit. Charging a 12-volt battery (6 cells) at a cell voltage limit of 2.40V, for example, would require a voltage setting of 14.40V.
The charge current for small lead-acid batteries should be set between 10% and 30% of the rated capacity (30% of a 2Ah battery would be 600mA). Larger batteries, such as those used in the automotive industry, are generally charged at lower current ratings. Cells constructed of a non-antimonial lead grid material allow higher charge currents but have a lower capacity. The cylindrical Cyclone is sealed and can sustain a pressure of up to 3.5 Bar (50 psi). A pressurized cell assists in the recombination of gases.
Observe the battery temperature, voltage and current during charge. Charge only at ambient temperatures and in a ventilated room. Once the battery is fully charged and the current has dropped to 3% of the rated current, the charge...