Simple Steps For Charging A Car Battery

The only thing you can do when your car battery unexpectedly fails is to try to figure out how and why it has no power. Did you leave your headlights on last night? Perhaps an interior light? These will definitely run down the power in your battery.

It might not be completely dead. Connecting your battery to a car battery charger might let you know if the battery is bad and needs to be replaced or if it only needs to be charged. 

If your battery fails again within a few days after being fully charged then you will need to take your car to a mechanic who can determine if it is either the battery that needs to be replaced or part of the car’s charging system like the alternator, or a loose belt. If the battery does not hold the charge, it most certainly will need to be replaced.

When comparing battery chargers, deep cycle battery chargers can be used. These chargers operate gradually by supplying the old battery with energy which is necessary before the car’s engine can be started successfully. When compared to regular battery chargers, the deep cycle chargers can save time and money.

Precautions to be taken

You should always follow these safety measures prior to charging the battery using a battery charger.

1. Gloves and eye cover are best to use.
2. Remove jewelry or loose-fitting garments.
3. Be sure that the charger is as far as possible from the car with the help of long cables.
4. See the car manual for a remote positive terminal in another area of the car and use this terminal for safer charging.
5. Connect the red jumper cable first.
6. Don’t face the battery, making the connections.
7. Do not touch the terminals when the battery is charging.
8. Do not connect the negative connection to the carburetor, fuel lines, or other car body parts.

Here are simple steps for charging a car battery

There are two methods in which you can charge a car battery. The methods are as follows:

1. WITH A BATTERY CHARGER

Steps to follow to recharge a Car Battery:

1. Ensure that there is no power supply connected to the car battery.
2. Pick the correct charging speed and pace depending on your battery condition and capacity.
3. Unroll and separate the cables if needed.
4. Locate the battery’s  P, POS, or + and N, NEG, or – sign.
5. Attach the red cord to the battery + terminal. Next, add the black cord to the battery’s – terminal.
6. Plug the battery charger to a power source. A proper extension cord may be required.
7. Once charging begins, be patient and wait until you have completely charged the battery.
8. Once the battery is charged, unplug the battery charger, then remove the connections to the battery’s terminals.

2. USING ANOTHER BATTERY

The following are the steps to be followed to charge the battery with the help of another battery:

1. Position the car with the live battery beside the depleted battery. Turn off the engines of both vehicles.
2. Place the jumper cables on the right terminals. The red cord is attached to the + side of the depleted battery, first on the good battery.
3. Attach the black cable to the – side of the good battery, then on an unpainted part of the dead battery car’s frame.
4. Start the car with the good battery and let the car idle for a few minutes.
5. Remove the jumper cables while the engine is running, disconnecting the black cord from your vehicle’s frame.
6. Let your car idle for half an hour further charge the battery. Drive the car for a while to further charge the battery.

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More on this topic:

What Happens When You Run Out Of Brake Fluid In Your Car?

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