How long can a car battery's electricity last?
2 Answers
Automobile batteries are typically 12V. When charging a completely depleted battery, the usual charging time is between 8 to 10 hours. Below is an introduction to car batteries: 1. Introduction: A car battery, also known as a storage battery, is a type of battery that works by converting chemical energy into electrical energy. 2. Composition: The commonly referred to car battery is a lead-acid battery, which mainly uses lead and its oxides as electrodes and a sulfuric acid solution as the electrolyte. 3. Principle: The negative electrode is made of a lead plate filled with sponge-like lead, the positive electrode is made of a lead plate filled with lead dioxide, and a 22-28% dilute sulfuric acid solution is used as the electrolyte.
I've been driving for over ten years and have had a few embarrassing incidents with dead batteries. How long a car battery lasts really depends on the specific scenario. If the engine is running, the alternator charges the battery, so it basically doesn't drain—unlimited usage, you could say. But if the engine is off and you're only using electrical devices, like leaving the headlights on or listening to music while parked, then it's limited. A new 60Ah battery might last 6 to 12 hours, or even a full day with low power consumption, but an old battery or in cold winter temperatures, it could die in just two hours. Last year, I forgot to start the engine while running the AC during camping, and the battery died in three hours—ended up costing me $200 for a tow. Temperature has a big impact: shorter lifespan in summer, reduced capacity in winter. Other factors include the battery brand, vehicle age, and load size. I’d advise against risking deep discharge, as it can permanently damage the battery, shortening its lifespan to just a year or two. Regularly check the voltage with a multimeter—a healthy battery should read around 12.6V. Get into the habit of turning off lights when parked and minimizing electrical use with the engine off to save hassle and money.
