Can the Battery Be Charged When the Car Is Idling?
2 Answers
The battery can be charged when the car is idling. Here are some tips for car battery charging and maintenance: 1. Avoid connecting high-power devices directly to the battery: Many car appliances, such as car refrigerators and air pumps, have high instantaneous power. Do not power them directly from the car battery. Instead, start the engine first before connecting these devices. This helps protect the battery. 2. Turn off the air conditioning before shutting down the engine: If the air conditioning is left on when the engine is turned off, it will automatically start working the next time the ignition is turned on. This can cause an immediate high power load on the battery, leading to wear and tear over time. 3. Turn off lights and other electronic devices when the car is parked: If the car's lights or other electronic devices remain on when the vehicle is not running, the battery will continue to discharge. Prolonged discharge can significantly reduce the battery's lifespan.
I once encountered a similar situation in winter when the battery was aging and couldn't start the car. After managing to start it, I left it idling for half an hour before trying again, and the car started normally. Keeping the engine running without moving the car does charge the battery because once the engine is running, the alternator starts working to replenish the battery's power. However, the charging speed is slower at idle due to the lower RPM, so you'll need to wait patiently. If you idle for extended periods frequently, it can waste a lot of fuel and may lead to carbon buildup in the engine. Therefore, I recommend using this method only for short-term emergencies—it's more efficient to drive around to charge the battery. If the battery is in poor condition, charging won't be very effective, so it's best to check or replace the battery regularly for reliability. Remember, safety comes first—avoid idling for too long to prevent accidents.
