When your car’s battery dies, it can be very inconvenient. Using a battery charger or a running car battery are the two easy methods for recharging the battery. To safely and swiftly recharge it, follow the below steps.
With a Battery Charger
Do not become stranded. Simply having a battery charger unit in your trunk can rescue you from an uncertain scenario. This sort of charger does not require another vehicle to recharge the battery. Simply connect it and charge the battery, then get back on the road.
These devices typically cost between $30 and $120. The price varies according on the manufacturer and the amount of output and charging settings available. You can get one from any vehicle accessories store. Most battery chargers are compatible with ordinary 12V automobile batteries, including deep cycle and gel batteries.
- Check that the charger is not linked to a power source. Unplug it for the time being.
- Choose the appropriate charge setting and pace for your situation and battery type.
- Take the charger cables that are attached to the charger and untie or untangle them if necessary.
- Identify the positive and negative sides of the automobile battery. Near the terminal, look for a P, POS, or + symbol for positive and an N, NEG, or – symbol for negative.
- Connect the red cable to the battery’s positive terminal.
- Then, connect the black cable to the negative side of the battery terminal.
- Connect the charger to a power source. An extension cord may be required to reach the vehicle.
- Let the battery to fully charge.
- Then, disconnect the charging device from its power supply. Switch off the device. Disconnect the positive and negative clamps
- After unplugging, shutting off, and detaching the charger, you can use a multimeter to check the charge. To be charged, the meter should read 12.6 volts and above. If you do not have this tool, try starting the car and turning on the headlights.
Before connecting a car battery to a charger, review these crucial safety precautions.
- It is recommended to wear gloves and eye protection.
- Remove all jewelry and loose clothing.
- Make sure the charger is as far away from the automobile as the cables allow.
- Check the manual to determine whether your automobile has a remote positive terminal in another part of the vehicle; utilize this terminal to charge safely.
- Always connect the red positive jumper cable first.
- When connecting the clamps, keep your back to the battery.
- Do not touch the clamps while the charger is turned on.
- Never attach the negative clamp to the carburettor, gasoline lines, or body panels of the vehicle.
Charging Setup
Choose the appropriate charging setting based on the kind of battery in your vehicle and the rate of charge required. Typically, there are settings for charging 6V batteries, as well as fast and slow charging rates for 12V batteries. If you find a ‘crank assist’ setting, that means you may just jump start the battery. Check your car’s manual to ensure that the voltage matches the charger’s DC output voltage.
With another car battery
The second way to charge a car battery is to use jumper cables to connect a dead battery to a running one. Most drivers are already familiar with jumper wires, but not everyone understands how to use them correctly to connect two cars. Here’s a step-by-step guide.
- Place the car with the live battery near, but not touching, the car with the dead battery. Put both automobiles into park and turn off their motors.
- Install the jumper cables in the correct order. First, attach the red cable to the positive side of the dead battery. Second, connect the opposite end of the red cable to the positive terminal of the live battery. Third, attach one end of the black cable to the negative side of the live battery.
- Finally, securely secure the other end of the black cable to a major metallic component of your vehicle’s engine block. Do not connect it to the battery’s negative post.
- Start the engine on the working battery. Allow the car to be idle for several minutes.
- Start the engine on a dead battery.
- When the engine has started and is running, immediately detach the jumper cables in reverse order. It is critical to first separate the black connection from the engine block of the car with a dead battery.
- Let the car to run for at least 30 minutes. Then drive for at least another 30 minutes to fully charge the battery.
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