--- title: "Battery Charging 101: Charging Types for Different Circumstances" description: Proper charging is the most important part of routine battery maintenance. All that is necessary is the knowledge that the charger is functioning properly. image: https://www.crownbattery.com/hubfs/edit-2-1.jpg --- [![logo-2](https://www.crownbattery.com/hubfs/2020%20IMAGES/LP%20Images/IMG/homepage-template/logo-2.png)logo-2 ](https://www.crownbattery.com) Menu - [Motive Power](https://www.crownbattery.com/ind-motive-power) - [Electric Forklifts & Pallet Jacks](https://www.crownbattery.com/electric-forklifts-pallet-trucks) - [Industrial Charging Systems](https://www.crownbattery.com/industrial-charging-systems) - [Electric Mining Machinery](https://www.crownbattery.com/electric-mining-machinery) - [Automated Guided Vehicles](https://www.crownbattery.com/automated-guided-vehicles) - [Railroad & Stationary Generator Systems](https://www.crownbattery.com/railroad-stationary-generator-systems) ![Nav-Image-Industrial](https://www.crownbattery.com/hubfs/Mockup%20Images/Nav-Image-Industrial.jpg) #### Motive Power Batteries From industrial to renewable energy, our batteries deliver the power you need—built to last, engineered for performance. - [Transportation](https://www.crownbattery.com/crown-battery-sli) - [Material Handling](https://www.crownbattery.com/material-handling-battery) - [Golf, Utility & LSEV](https://www.crownbattery.com/golf-utility-lsev) - [Trucking, Heavy Equipment, Agriculture, Transit & First Response](https://www.crownbattery.com/trucking-heavy-equipment-agriculture-transit-first-response) - [Automotive Aftermarket](https://www.crownbattery.com/automotive-aftermarket) - [Rental Equipment, MEWPS & Traffic Management](https://www.crownbattery.com/rental-equipment-mewps-traffic-management) - [Floor Care & Cleaning Equipment](https://www.crownbattery.com/floor-care-cleaning-equipment) - [Marine/Recreational Watercraft](https://www.crownbattery.com/marine-recreational-watercraft) - [Renewable Energy Storage](https://www.crownbattery.com/renewable-energy-storage) - [Power Management](https://www.crownbattery.com/power-management) ![Nav-Image-SLI](https://www.crownbattery.com/hubfs/Mockup%20Images/Nav-Image-SLI.jpg) #### Transportation | Energy Storage Batteries Powering your vehicle with durable, high-performance SLI batteries built for reliability and longevity. - [Power.Match.](https://www.crownbattery.com/power-match) - Resources - [Resources - Motive Power ](https://www.crownbattery.com/resources-motive-power) - [Resources - Transportation & Energy Storage](https://www.crownbattery.com/resources-transportation-energy) - [Blog](https://www.crownbattery.com/news) - [Webinars](https://www.crownbattery.com/webinars) - [Events](https://www.crownbattery.com/events) - [Glossary of Terms](https://www.crownbattery.com/glossary-of-terms) ![Transportation-SAFTEY-FIRST](https://www.crownbattery.com/hubfs/Mockup%20Images/Transportation-SAFTEY-FIRST.jpg) #### Explore Our Power & Energy Resources Access expert insights, industry guides, and educational resources to power your success. - [Find a Dealer](https://www.crownbattery.com/how-to-buy) - About Us - [About Us](https://www.crownbattery.com/about-us) - [Quality](https://www.crownbattery.com/quality) - [Sustainability](https://www.crownbattery.com/sustainability) - [Safety](https://www.crownbattery.com/safety) - [Careers](https://www.crownbattery.com/employment) ![crown-world-smal-min](https://www.crownbattery.com/hubfs/Mockup%20Images/crown-world-smal-min.jpg) #### Get to Know Crown Battery Learn about our legacy, commitment to innovation, and the power behind our solutions. 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Since today’s [voltage](https://www.crownbattery.com/glossary-of-terms#voltage)-controlled chargers have automated the charging process and assuming the battery is well maintained, all that is necessary for routine charging is knowledge that the charger is functioning properly. This is accomplished by periodic inspection and adjustment by a qualified charger repair technician.   For our purposes, we’ll assume the charger features the latest technology and is working correctly. And while there are many different charging protocols, we’ll focus on three primary methods: Conventional, Opportunity and Opportunity Fast Charge.   **Conventional Charge ** This is the complete recharge of a battery after it has been fully or partially [discharged](https://www.crownbattery.com/glossary-of-terms#discharged) during normal operation. In general, a [cycle](https://www.crownbattery.com/glossary-of-terms#cycle) charge is based on an 8‐hour charging cycle, but can be extended, depending on need. In multishift operations, the discharged battery would likely need to be removed from the forklift for charging and replaced with a fully [charged](https://www.crownbattery.com/glossary-of-terms#charged) battery. Conventional charging is also prevalent in extreme applications or environments (heavy power requirements, high or low workplace temperatures).   **Opportunity Charge** Opportunity charging utilizes intelligent high-frequency chargers. The theory being that you have one battery, one truck and one charger. The battery will never leave the truck and the battery is placed on charge at every opportune time (during breaks, lunches, etc.). This charge will keep the battery operating between 20% and 80% of its [state of charge ](https://www.crownbattery.com/glossary-of-terms#state-of-charge)throughout the work week, while on weekends, an [equalizing charge](https://www.crownbattery.com/glossary-of-terms#equalizing-charge) would be performed. Opportunity charging is frequently implemented by specifiers whose operations and use patterns enable them to minimize battery inventory, charging and changing equipment.   **Opportunity Fast Charge (OFC)** OFC is similar, but as the name implies, quicker than opportunity charging, enabling a battery charge of up to 80% in two hours or less. Note that special consideration must be given to the charger rating to verify if battery or system modifications are needed to implement OFC.   Contact your Crown Battery representative for full details on the different types of charges and to determine which will work for you.   ## Recommend Posts [![7 Industrial Battery Charging Best Practices for More Uptime and Fewer Failures](https://www.crownbattery.com/hubfs/2020%20IMAGES/Blog%20Images/7%20Industrial%20Battery%20Charging%20Best%20Practices%20for%20More%20Uptime%20and%20Fewer%20Failures.jpg) ](https://www.crownbattery.com/news/7-industrial-battery-charging-best-practices-for-more-uptime-and-fewer-failures) ##### [7 Best Practices for Industrial Battery Charging](https://www.crownbattery.com/news/7-industrial-battery-charging-best-practices-for-more-uptime-and-fewer-failures) Your battery charging practices can differentiate between profitable, continuous uptime vs. costly ... 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