An apparatus and method for supplying energy to a vehicle battery is
provided. The apparatus includes a positive connector that couples to a
positive terminal of the vehicle battery and a negative connector that
couples to a negative terminal of the vehicle battery. A battery charger
applies a charge signal to the vehicle battery through the positive and
negative connectors to thereby charge the vehicle battery. A jump-start
booster pack, coupled to the battery charger, can optionally provide
starting energy to the vehicle battery through the positive and negative
connectors. The booster pack can be charged by the charge signal. In one
aspect, the battery charger is a switch-mode charger.