A battery charger system and method are disclosed for providing detailed battery status and charging method information and for controlling the charging of the battery. A controller is provided within the battery charger. The controller starts a measurement cycle. During the measurement cycle, current battery characteristics are determined by the battery charger. The controller determines a current charging method of the battery. Then controller then utilizes the battery characteristics and current charging method to determine an appropriate charging method for the battery. The controller then causes the battery charger to charge the battery utilizing the appropriate charging method.