fbpx
Car Battery Won't Charge? Here’s What You Need To Do

How To Use A Car Battery Charger

Anyone who owns a vehicle should know how to charge its battery by using a car battery charger. A dying or dead battery is a common issue, particularly during the winter months. If a person is constantly having trouble with starting their car or with the battery dying, then having a portable car charger will be a good help.

Car batteries hold a lot of power, but charging them is a whole other process. It may require a couple of hours to work when you use the battery charger and for the battery to be fully charged. As long as you are using the right methods, you will achieve the desired results that you are looking for.

How To Use A Car Battery Charger At Home?

1. Car Battery Chargers

Before charging the battery, a suitable charger must be acquired. Battery chargers come in different types; hence, it is important to familiarize oneself with the particular model of the charger before using it. You can get a portable car battery charger for this purpose to easily charge the battery from the comfort of your home.

The instructions should be followed carefully, and the person who will use the charger should be able to understand how it all works, how to connect and disconnect it, including what each reading, dial, and buttons are used for to charge the car battery.

2. Connecting The Car Battery To The Charger

The next step is to connect the charger to the battery. Firstly, you need to connect the positive red clamp to the positive post of the battery, which has a ‘+’ sign. Secondly, the negative black clamp should be attached to the negative post of the battery, which has a ‘-’ sign on it.

This is explained in further detail later on.

3. How To Set The Battery Charger

The next step will be to set the amperage (amps) and the volts on the charger. To gradually trickle charge the car battery, it should be set on a lower amperage. This process is a much better option when there is more time available, as it will charge the battery more efficiently.

On the other hand, higher amps should be used if a person is looking to jumpstart their car quickly and doesn’t have much time. This method will let you quickly charge the car battery.

4. Insert The Plug And Start The Charging Process

The next step is to start the charging process by plugging in the charger. Depending on the charger, the charger will shut off automatically after it’s done, or a certain amount of time can be set for the charger to do its job. No matter which method you pick, it is best to keep the charger in one place and not touch any cords while it’s charging.

You need to be careful when you use a battery charger to charge the battery of your car. Let the entire charging process finish before you touch anything. That’s what’s best for you and your battery’s safety.

5. Disconnect The Charger

Lastly, the charger must be turned off once the battery is charged. Next, it should be unplugged, and you need to remove it from the wall. Finally, the cables should be disconnected in the opposite order, meaning the negative black clamp should be disconnected first and then the positive red one. The battery should be fully charged and ready to go. You may want to start your car to check its current status.

Have a look at these two YouTube videos to learn more about how to use a car battery charger to charge your battery and the number of hours it will require to charge it.

Video 1:

Video 2:

 

How Long Does It Take To Charge A Car Battery With A 12 Volt Charger?

The number of hours it will take to charge a 12 Volt car battery depends upon the charger’s amps. If a high amps charger is being used, then the entire battery charging process is going to be shorter, as compared to using a low amps charger. This means it won’t require much time to charge the battery.

On the other hand, if a person prefers to maintain their fully charged battery, then a low amps charger is more suitable than a high amps charger. Of course, the hours it takes to charge it will vary as well.

Moreover, the time it takes a car battery to be fully charged depends on various factors, such as when was it fully charged previously, the model of the vehicle, the make of the vehicle, the previous usage of the vehicle, and the year of the vehicle. Also, make sure to disconnect everything and remove the cables once you are finished.

When Charging A Battery, Which Cable Goes On First?

Identifying the cables is an extremely crucial process for charging the car battery with a charger. This is because due to the positive and negative terminals, the right cable or clamp must be placed on the right sides, or else there is the risk of the battery exploding if not done correctly.

First, examine your car’s battery and identify the negative and positive battery terminals. Usually, the positive terminal will have a plus (+) sign, the abbreviation POS, or the letter ‘P’ written. Similarly, the negative terminal will have a minus (-) sign, the abbreviation NEG, or the letter ‘N.’ Once you have identified them, move on to the next step.

Before connecting the charger and starting the process, make sure that it is turned off and unplugged. Most cars have a negative ground; in this case, the positive charger clip or clamp should be connected to the positive battery side. The positive charger clamp is going to be red in color.

Next, you need to attach the negative charger clip to the car’s engine block or frame, and it should be as far away from the battery of the car as the clip’s cable permits. Ensure that the negative clip is connected to a heavy-gauge metal component of the engine block or the frame. You should never attach it to the fuel lines, sheet-metal body parts, or the carburetor. The negative charger clip is going to be black in color. Make sure that you follow all instructions carefully when you recharge your battery.

Is It Okay To Use The Charger To Charge The Car’s Battery While It’s Connected?

Even though it is safe to charge a car’s battery while it is still connected, there are a couple of safety precautions that should be taken into consideration. When you charge the battery, it will not get damaged, but the risk of sparks and shocks will increase while the battery is still inside the vehicle.

Therefore, it is important to know how to safely charge one’s battery while still connected to the vehicle. You don’t want anything to go wrong when you charge your car’s battery. Firstly, you need to have eye protection; hence, wear your safety goggles. Plus, put on gloves as well.

Moreover, the charger’s voltage also needs to be observed. You should not use any power supply that goes over 14.7 Volts throughout the entire charging process. For this purpose, smart battery chargers are a good option and also the safest one. You can easily find them in locations where they sell auto battery chargers and batteries.

Furthermore, make sure to follow other important safety guidelines when it comes to charging the car battery. For instance, make sure that the area where you’re charging the battery is well-ventilated. Stay away from direct sunlight since this can overheat the car’s battery and end up accelerating its charge.

Moreover, even though the chances are slim, there is the risk of a car battery exploding when someone tries to charge it. So you need this process to be done carefully if you want it to work. Using these car battery chargers require a certain knowledge that you need to be aware of.

Lastly, inspect your battery for any acid leaks or splits before charging it. In case you find any, it is better to replace the battery and get a brand new one. Also, make sure not to overcharge the battery since this can damage the battery and affect its lifespan in the long run.

You want a battery that will work for a long time. Hence, you must take care of its needs and check it constantly to spot any issues in advance that may be affecting its performance. This will keep your battery in good condition.

Conclusion

Having a portable car charger truly comes in handy during emergencies. You have the comfort of knowing that you will never get stuck out on the road in case the battery of your car dies. Using the car battery charger is not a difficult process, and anyone who owns a vehicle can learn it. As long as all of the instructions are being followed properly, and the right safety measures are being taken, everything should go smoothly.

However, if the problem persists and you have a dead battery regularly, you may need to take it to the professionals. Sometimes there are other reasons why the battery is experiencing certain issues. In this case, a professional is better able to evaluate the problem and provide a good solution.

Leave a Comment

Your email address will not be published.