A battery charger assembly includes an outer casing with a sleeve assembled therein having a cavity profiled to receive a battery alone, or a battery and its associated appliance. A cam-operated assembly includes a cam member which moves a gripper assembly into the cavity to grip the battery. In this manner, a battery and/or its appliance may be inserted into the charger, and used in automotive use without the battery and/or the appliance becoming discharged from the charger assembly.