Your automobile is a very fragile machine. While the manufacturer has put in a substantial amount of effort to ensure that the vehicle is designed to withstand the test of time, it is essential to remember that anything could go wrong at any point in time.
You never really know when your vehicle is going to leave you stranded on the side of the road. Depending on the severity of the problem, you may be left waiting for professional assistance. However, if the battery has simply died, you might be able to get the vehicle up and running with a quick recharge. Within this guide, you will learn how to charge a car battery and how long it generally takes.
What Is Needed To Recharge Car Battery
First and foremost, you should realize that it will be impossible to recharge the battery without the right tools. Thankfully, you will not need much. Before going any further, you will want to grab your booster cables. The majority of consumers will keep a set of cables in the trunk of their vehicle for this particular situation. The booster cable is utilized to connect your dead car battery to a charging source. And of course, you will need some type of power source. Most people will use the battery of another vehicle.
If you’re charging the battery at home, you may be able to utilize an electrical battery charger or maintainer. Outside of the home, you will need assistance from a friend or stranger.
Look For The Spark
A dead battery is one problem and a worthless battery is another. If the battery is completely dead and unable to hold a charge, you will not be able to recharge it no matter what you do. Since most consumers do not have access to a voltmeter, it can be difficult to determine whether or not the battery will be able to hold the charge. One way to figure out for certain is to connect one end of the booster cable to a fully functional battery. Look for a spark when the connectors are attached to the dead battery.
If you see a spark and you can hear the other vehicle’s power begin to draw, it is highly likely the battery is fine. If there is no spark and the other vehicle continues to idle regularly, the battery may be worthless. Take it to a nearby automotive store and ask them to check it for you. Obviously, if it is faulty, you will need to purchase a replacement.
Consider Using A Battery Tester
If you’re unsure whether or not the battery is salvageable, you should consider testing it with a battery tester. This device will come with a red and black connector. They’ll connect to the battery just like the booster cable. Once the connectors have been attached, the meter will display a rating. Once you’ve analyzed the rating, you will know precisely whether or not the battery is still in good shape.
How Long Does It Take To Charge A Car Battery?
The size of the car battery will determine how long to charge the car battery at home. On average, it takes around 15 hours to fully charge a 10 amp-hour car battery. Another thing that will play a huge factor in this time estimate is the type of car battery charger. Many contemporary chargers are designed to offer an expedient charge. However, it will take up to 15 hours to complete the process. Everything must be in good working conditioning if not, the battery will not be revived.
Jumping A Dead Battery
Many drivers that end up dealing with a dead battery will oftentimes ask for a boost from a passerby. While, this is not such a great idea, because it can be dangerous to ask for assistance from strangers, sometimes it is necessary. If you find yourself in this position, you may not have any other options available. Just monitor the stranger’s behavior and never let yourself get too comfortable.
Jumping a dead battery is very simple, but it can be dangerous if it is done incorrectly. The battery posts are labeled with a negative and positive symbol. These two symbols are extremely important because you will need to put the lead on the positive post and the black lead on the negative post. Be very careful to not allow the leads to come into contact with each other, this can cause a short circuit, potentially damaging the battery and boosting cable.
The vehicle should be left running to generate enough power to boost the dead battery. The process should take no longer than 3 to 5 minutes tops. If you experience any issues, be sure to check the lead connections, just to make sure they are making contact with the battery. You can actually hear the charge begin to take because it will pull down the motor of the running vehicle. This is a good sign and should not be very long until your battery is fully charged.
After jumping the dead battery, you should immediately go to a service station or car garage to have it evaluated. Many auto parts stores can also test the battery and charge it, as well.
How To Charge Car Battery At Home
While it is possible to charge a car battery with another car battery, this isn’t necessary at home. At home, you will have access to an electrical source. And, there are many different over-the-counter battery charges. Generally, these devices will plug into an electrical outlet and the other end will attach to the vehicle’s battery. These devices are sometimes referred to as car chargers or battery maintainers. They’re generally recommended for consumers, who intend to leave their vehicle sitting for a long duration.
The device will keep the battery active and charged while preventing it from dying completely. Just remember that the mass majority of home battery chargers or maintainers are not capable of recharging a completely dead battery. Instead, the battery will need to have at least 10 or 20 percentage charge, before the maintainer will work. Nonetheless, a battery maintainer is a good way to recharge a partially dead battery at home, without needing access to another vehicle.