Key Features
“The most advanced and intelligent car battery charger and maintainer on the market”
Reliable 6V/12V Charging for the Longest Life to your Battery Vehicles today are often equipped with a wide array of power-robbing accessories such as GPS navigation units, stereo sound systems, video players, daytime running lights, and many other electrical convenience functions. All these items place a high demand on a vehicle's battery which can lead to discharge, sulfation, or acid stratification. The best way to ensure reliable starting of your vehicle is to keep a regular check on the battery charge - especially in vehicles not used year-round, such as motorcycles, convertibles and classic cars. Battery chargers from Bosch are first aid for exhausted batteries and return them to top condition.
The Bosch Battery Charger and Maintainer is an ultra portable, automotive smart charger and maintainer operated by a MCU processor that provides state-of-the-art charging technology that allows the charger to interact with and respond to the condition of the battery. It modifies its charge action based on the feedback from the battery in order to provide a high quality charge that restores sulfated and discharged batteries to their original capacity without under- or overcharging. It can be used with a variety of lead-acid batteries (AGM, WET, GEL, open, and VRLA) in vehicles such as cars, light-duty trucks, motorcycles, antique cars, boats, jet skis, ATVs, snow mobiles, lawnmowers and RVs.
Easiest to operate
Connect | Plug in | Turn on
Intelligent charging
- Smart Amps ensures quick, high-quality charging
- Automatically detects battery voltage
Safest to use
- Spark short circuit, and reverse polarity protection
- Dust and splash water proof
- Battery cannot be overcharged
Applications
Modern Automobiles
Classic Automobiles
Motorcycles
Marine
Lawnmower and Utility
Recreational Vehicles and Commercial
Features/Benefits
 SmartAmps Technology
The Bosch C3 Battery Charger and Maintainer uses SmartAMPS Technology which is a feature that continuously monitors the condition of your battery at every phase. This ensures that your battery is continuously charged at the optimal level in order to avoid under- or overcharging. The SmartAMPs technology also provides a fast, high quality charge that ensures the longest life of your battery.
The Bosch C3 Battery Charger and Maintainer differs from manual and automatic battery chargers that treat all batteries the same no matter what condition they are in. Those chargers charge with a steady, unregulated current which can result in overcharging of the battery.
 MCU Processor
The MCU processor turns the charger into a Smart Charger. The processor communicates with the battery allowing it to interact with and respond to the condition of the battery. It modifies its charge action based on the feedback from the battery in order to provide a high quality charge that restores sulfated and discharged batteries to their original capacity without under—or overcharging.
 Won’t overcharge the battery
The Bosch C3 Battery Charger and Maintainer won’t overcharge or damage the battery. It will stop charging when the battery is fully charged; therefore the charger can be left connected to the battery. The charger will continue to monitor the battery and if the voltage falls below 12.8V it will switch to the maintenance charging mode. The float and maintenance cycles are repeated indefinitely to keep the battery at full charge without overcharging.
Overcharging can occur when charging too quickly with a high amp charger or when leaving the charger unattended for too long.
Overcharging generates oxygen & hydrogen gas by electrolysis of water. The battery loses water through evaporation and the top section of the plates dry out. This reduces capacity and leaves portions of the plates exposed to oxidation. In the most serious case flammable hydrogen can build up inside the sealed cells of the battery. A small electrical spark can ignite the gas and cause the battery to explode.
The type of chargers most likely to cause overcharging are the "rapid chargers". The problem with these chargers is that they really do not have a charge control mechanism and charge at their full charge rate for a fixed period of time, typically five or eight hours, and then shut off or switch to a lower "trickle" charge rate. If they are used properly, these chargers are fine, however If they are used improperly they can shorten a battery's useful life.
 Recovers sulfated batteries
The Bosch C3 Battery Charger and Maintainer recovers sulfated batteries with pulse conditioning during the recovery stage of charging.
Lead sulfate (PbSO4) is formed on the plates of the battery during the discharge state. If a lead acid battery is not recharged immediately, the lead sulfate will begin to form hard crystals that will no longer dissolve when recharged. This is known as sulfation.
Sulfation becomes a problem for the battery because the large crystals physically block the electrolyte from entering the pores of the plates and therefore the battery is unable to supply current. When this occurs the battery capacity is reduced and the battery is unable to supply as much current. The Battery is no longer capable of driving the loads for which it is required.
Sulfation can occur if the battery is kept at low charge (below 80%) and never has the opportunity to receive a full charge. Short distance driving while running windshield wiper and electric heaters contributes to this.
 Maintenance Charging
Charging the battery too quickly with a high amp charger or leaving it unattended can overcharge or damage the battery. The Bosch C3 Charger and Maintainer will automatically stop charging the battery when it is fully charged. It will then continue to monitor the battery and switch to maintenance mode when the voltage drops below 12.8V. Leave connected to battery with no risk of overcharging.
 All types of lead acid batteries
AGM (absorbed glass matt), WET (flooded cell), GEL (gelified electrolyte cell) VRLA (valve-regulated lead–acid) are all types of batteries based on different construction and technology. The Bosch C3 Battery Charger and Maintainer safely charges all types of lead acid batteries.
 Restores discharged and acid stratified batteries
The Bosch C3 Battery Charger and Maintainer restores discharged and acid stratified batteries by administering an equalization charge of 14.4V that mixes up the acid without overcharging the battery.
Acid Stratification is caused by the fact that the electrolyte in the battery is a mixture of water and acid. Acid is heavier than water and over time the acid will begin to settle and concentrate at the bottom of the battery.
The higher concentration of acid at the bottom of the battery causes additional sulfation, which reduces storage capacity and CCA performance. It will also make the battery appear more charged than it is. The light acid on top limits plate activation, promotes corrosion & reduces performance.
Acid Stratification can start if the battery is kept at low charge (below 80%) and never has the opportunity to receive a full charge. Short distance driving while running windshield wiper and electric heaters contributes to this.
 Automatically detects voltage
If you are uncertain about the voltage of your battery, the Bosch C3 Battery Charger and Maintainer will automatically detect whether the battery is 6V or 12V for you.
 Safest to Use
Safety is an important concern around any power source. One button operation, built-in pulse and maintenance charge functions, and a comprehensive safety concept make the Bosch C3 Battery Charger and Maintainer very safe to use. It is also safe for you to use because it protects against sparks, short circuits, reverse polarity and overheating.
 Automatic Shut Off
The Auto Shut Off is a safety feature of the Bosch C3 Charger and Maintainer. It will automatically shut off when the battery is incorrectly connected, the charging time is abnormal, or when the circuit is open. If the unit becomes excessively hot during charging or if the charging time takes longer than it should, the output power is automatically reduced to avoid damage to the charger.
 Cold/AGM Mode
The Cold/AGM Mode is a feature that is the optimal mode to charge AGM batteries or batteries in cold temperatures <41° F. AGM and cold batteries need a higher charging voltage in order to avoid undercharging the battery.
 Recovery Mode
The Recovery Mode charges and recovers deeply discharged and sulfated batteries (voltage of 7.5V-10.5V) with pulse charging.
Sulfation is one of the main causes for premature battery failure which occurs when hard crystals begin to form that will no longer dissolve. They will physically block the electrolyte from entering the pores of the plates and therefore the battery is unable to supply current. When this occurs the battery capacity is reduced and is unable to supply as much current. The Battery is no longer capable of driving the loads for which it is required.
 One Touch Button for easy use
You do not need to be a specialist to use the Bosch Battery Charger and Maintainer. Simply attach the two insulated charger clamps integrated into the opposite end to the appropriate battery posts of the lead-acid battery being charged or maintained. Then plug in the AC power cord, integrated at one end of the charger, to a standard 110-volt household outlet. Finally use the mode button to select from 4 charging modes to instantly begin charging. It is as easy as Connect – Plug In – Turn On.
Mode 1: 6V – Motorcycles, garden tools, classic ars (1.2 - 14Ah); Mode 2: 12V – Motorcycles (1.2 - 14Ah); Mode 3: 12V – Cars, recreational vehicles, boats (14 - 120Ah); Mode 4: 12V – AGM batteries, cold conditions (<41°F)(14 - 120Ah)
 Interactive with the battery
The Bosch C3 Charger and Maintainer is operated by an MCU processor which interacts with and responds to the condition of the battery. It modifies its charge action based on the feedback from the battery in order to provide a high quality charge that restores sulfated and discharged batteries to their original capacity without under- or overcharging. That way it always provides a high quality charge and ensures the longest life of your battery.
 IP65
Dust proof and splash waterproof — IP65 is a rating system that shows the degree of protection from solid objects and liquids. IP65 means that the Bosch C3 Charger and Maintainer is classified as protected from dust and low pressure jets of water in all directions. Limited water ingress is permitted.
Documents
Download PDFs of our Bosch Batteries, Battery Chargers and Accessories brochures
here.
FAQs
Where can I buy Bosch battery charger/maintainers and accessories?
What is the difference between a Bosch C3 and C7 battery charger/maintainers?
The C3 battery charger/maintainer is designed to charge 6V/12V lead acid batteries. The C7 battery charger/maintainer is designed to charge 12V/24V lead acid batteries. The C7 also has a regeneration mode, constant current mode, and a memory function that the C3 charger/maintainer does not have.
Both the C3 and C7 Bosch charger/maintainers are able to charge more than one voltage unlike many of the other charger/maintainers in the market.
What’s in the box?
In the C3 box you will find a Bosch Smart Battery charger/maintainer, charger mounting hook, charger cable with built in fuse, 2 fully insulated charger clamps, harness with mounting rings, and instruction manual.
In the C7 box you will find a Bosch Smart Battery charger/maintainer, charger mounting bracket, charger cable with built in fuse, 2 fully insulated charger clamps, harness with mounting rings and instruction manual.
What features do Bosch battery charger/maintainers include?
Both the C3 and C7 Bosch battery charger/maintainers include features like the SmartAMPs Technology, One Touch Button, Automatic Shut OFF, Automatic Recovery Mode to recover sulfated batteries, and Automatic Maintenance charging that allows the charger to be left connected to the battery with no risk of overcharging. The C7 battery charger/maintainer also has a Regeneration Mode to help charge deeply discharged batteries from cars with lights left on overnight, Constant Current Mode, and a Memory Function.
Bosh battery charger/maintainers are water and splash proof as well as protected against spark, short circuit, reverse polarity, and overheating.
For more details on the features of the C3 and C7 charger/maintainers, please refer to the Features/Benefits tab.
What is a smart battery charger?
The Bosch battery charger/maintainers are smart battery chargers. The Bosch Battery Charger and Maintainer is a smart charger that is operated by a MCU processor that provides state-of-the-art charging technology that allows the charger to interact with and respond to the condition of the battery. It modifies its charge action based on the feedback from the battery in order to provide a high quality charge that restores sulfated and discharged batteries. It uses SmartAMPS Technology feature that continuously monitors the condition of the battery at every phase to charge at the optimum current in order to avoid under-or overcharging. Smart chargers will automatically detect the voltage of the battery. You can leave the charger/maintainer plugged to the battery all day/night without harming it.
How is the Bosch Smart Charger/Maintainer different than a manual or automatic battery charger?
Manual and automatic chargers treat all batteries the same no matter what condition they are in and charge with a steady, unregulated current. The Bosch Battery Charger and Maintainer however uses SmartAmps, the optimum charge current depending on the battery’s condition and the current charging stage, to provide a fast high quality charge that ensures the longest life of the battery.
Why is there a price difference between the C3 and the C7?
The C3 battery charger/maintainer charges 6V/12V batteries with a capacity between 1.2 and 120 Ah while the C7 battery charger/maintainer charges 12V/24V batteries with a capacity between 14 and 230 Ah. The C7 also has a regeneration mode, constant current mode, and a memory function that the C3 charger/maintainer does not have.
What is SmartAMPS technology?
Bosch Battery Chargers/Maintainers use SmartAMPS Technology which is a feature that continuously monitors the condition of your battery at every phase. This ensures that your battery is continuously charged at the optimal level in order to avoid under-or overcharging. The SmartAMPs technology also provides a fast, high quality charge that ensures the longest life of your battery.
What is the Bosch brand and what are its brand values?
Robert Bosch (commonly known as Bosch) is a leading German global supplier of technology and services in the areas of automotive and industrial technology, consumer goods, and building. It is the world largest supplier of automotive components and stands for precision, quality, and longevity. The Bosch motto, “Invented for Life,” reflects its goal to develop innovative, high quality technologies that make life more efficient, safer and more comfortable.
I’ve always thought that Bosch specialized in automotive parts for European vehicles. Are Bosch Battery Charger/Maintainers a good fit for my battery manufactured in the US?
With Bosch battery charger/maintainers you can charge domestic as well as foreign made car batteries. Bosch has been supplying automotive parts for domestic applications that meet or exceed OE specifications for many decades.
Does Bosch carry batteries?
Yes, Bosch also carries batteries. They are the premium battery brand in over 104 countries in the world and satisfy the highest starting and power supply standards especially for new vehicles with many electrical consumers.
Where can I get a copy of the user manual?
You can download a copy of the user manual from our website under the document section of the Bosch Battery Charger Page.
What is the warranty on Bosch battery chargers/maintainer?
Robert Bosch LLC (seller) warrants to the first using purchaser only that the battery charger/maintainer sold to the first using purchaser by seller or its authorized dealer, retailers or service centers in the United State, Canada and Mexico will be free from defects in material or workmanship for a period of two (2) years from date of purchase. SELLER’s sole obligation and your exclusive remedy under this Limited Warranty and, to the extend permitted by law, any warranty or condition implied by law, shall be the repair or replacement of parts, without charge, which are defective in material or workmanship. The Limited Warranty provided in this Statement excludes any defects or damage arising from accident, alteration, misuse, abuse, improper installation, unauthorized service work, external forces beyond seller’s control, such as fire, flood, and other acts of God. The limited warranty further excludes normal wear and tear on parts and damage to fragile components (e.g. switches).
When can a battery be charged/ recharged?
In general you can always charge a battery as long as it is not completely drained, frozen, or at the end of its life-cycle.
How do I properly connect the cables?
For a negative-grounded vehicle, connect the cables by first connecting the positive (red) charger clamp to the positive post of the battery. Then you connect the negative charger clamp to the car frame or engine block away from the battery.
For a positive-grounded vehicle, connect the negative (black) charger clamp to the negative post of the battery. Then you connect the positive (red) clamp to the car frame or engine block away from the battery.
How do I use the Bosch battery charger/maintainer?
Its is as easy as Connect – Plug In – Turn On. You do not need to be a specialist to use the Bosch Battery charger/maintainer. Simply attach the two insulated charger clamps integrated into the opposite end to the appropriate battery posts of the battery being charged or maintained. Then plug in the AC power cord, integrated at one end of the charger/maintainer, to a standard 110-volt household outlet. Finally, use the mode button to select from different charging modes to instantly begin charging.
Where do I call about specific questions about Bosch chargers/maintainers?
If you have specific questions about Bosch chargers/maintainers, you can click on the contact link at the top of the page.
What can extend the life of a battery?
You can do the following things to extend the life of your battery:
- Use warm water and a mild detergent to remove grease and dirt from the plastic surface of the battery. Dirt can actually act as a conductive agent, causing the battery to constantly discharge slightly.
- In removing or cleaning the battery, remove first (-) ground cable followed by the (+) cable. If you are going to reinstall the battery, the (+) cable must be put first before the (-) ground cable. In this way, you can avoid a short circuit if the wrench accidentally touches the grounded part of the vehicle.
- Make sure the battery is firmly secured to its mounting bracket. An unsecured battery that shifts around can become damaged, and possibly cause short circuits. All exposed metal parts of the terminals and cables should be greased to prevent future corrosion.
- Change the battery if you happen to see any cracks, vents or swelled battery casing. Most likely your battery is gradually failing and replacement is inevitable.
- Check the terminals where the battery cables connect to be sure they are tight and free of corrosion. If corrosion is present get a qualified technician to clean the terminals.
Is AMP (amperage) important when selecting a battery charger?
Amp stands for Ampere and is the measure of the electric charge passing a point in an electric circuit. It is the strength of an electric current. Too high of an amperage, such as in rapid chargers, can overcharge and cause damage to your battery. Bosch Battery Chargers and Maintainers uses SmartAmps technology continuously monitors the condition of your battery at every phase. This ensures that your battery is continuously charged at the optimal level in order to avoid under-or overcharging. The SmartAMPs technology also provides a fast, high quality charge that ensures the longest life of your battery.
Can I charge other types of batteries besides acid-lead batteries?
No, with the Bosch battery charger/maintainers you can only charge lead-acid batteries which you can find in the automotive industry. These are batteries that you can find in most cars, trucks, boats, etc. Other batteries like dry-cell batteries or regular household batteries cannot be charged using the Bosch battery charger/maintainer.
Can I charge a frozen battery?
Never charge a frozen battery. Charging a frozen battery may cause battery explosion. Remove the battery from the vehicle, bring it into a warm room and let it thaw before charging.
What type of batteries can be charged/ What do I do if I don’t know what type of battery I have?
Generally, all types of batteries (AGM, WET (flooded), GEL, and VRLA) can be charged which you can find in cars, trucks, buses, tractors, boats, jet skis, motorcycles etc. The Bosch C3 battery charger/maintainer is designed to charge 6V/12V batteries which you can find in:
- Cars
- 6V/12V antique cars
- Motorcycles
- Light trucks
- Boats
- Jet skis
- ATVs
- RVs
- Snowmobiles
The Bosch C7 charger/maintainer is designed to charge 12V/24V batteries for vehicles with a higher power demand that you can find in:
- Cars
- Trucks
- Buses
- Antique cars
- Motorcycles
- Boats
- Tractors
- RVs
- ATVs
- Jet skis
- Snowmobiles
Are there different types of lead-acid batteries?
Yes, there are different types of lead acid batteries. These include AGM, WET, and GEL.
What is Sulfation?
Lead sulfate (PbSO4) is formed during the discharge state. If a lead acid battery is not recharged immediately, the lead sulfate will begin to form hard crystals that will no longer dissolve when recharged.
What causes sulfation?
Sulfation can occur if the battery is kept at low charge (below 80%) and never has the opportunity to receive a full charge. Short distance driving while running windshield wiper and electric heaters contributes to this.
How do you fix a sulfated battery?
Sulfation can be partially reversed by pulse conditioning.
What is Overcharging?
Overcharging generates oxygen & hydrogen gas by electrolysis of water. It is charging the battery more than needed.
What causes overcharging?
Charging with a high amp charger can charge the battery too quickly. Also leaving an unattended charger for too long.
Can I leave the Bosch battery charger/maintainer connected to the battery without overcharging or damaging it?
Yes. Bosch charger/maintainers can be left connected to the battery because they will automatically stop charging the battery when it is fully charged. They will then continue to monitor the battery and switch to maintenance mode when the voltage drops. The battery cannot be overcharged or damaged.
Can I charge a 6 Volt (6V) battery with a 24 Volt (24V) Charger?
No, you cannot. Bosch battery charger/maintainers use SmartAMPs Technology that automatically recognizes the voltage of the battery. If an abnormal situation occurs, such as when the voltage of battery and charger is different or when the charger is incorrectly connected or when there is an abnormal charging time, the charger switches automatically to standby mode to protect the battery from damage.
Can I charge a 24 Volt (24V) battery with a 6 Volt (6V) Charger?
Yes, however it is not recommended because it takes a very long time to fully charge the battery.
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