How to Charge a Car Battery Using a Charger?
2 Answers
Method for charging a car battery: Connect the positive terminal of the battery to the positive terminal of the power source, and the negative terminal of the battery to the negative terminal of the power source. The initial charging is carried out in two stages: 1. First, use the initial charging current until the electrolyte releases bubbles and the single-cell voltage rises to 2.3—2.4V. 2. The total charging time is approximately 45—65 hours. Control the temperature at 35—40℃, and the initial charging is completed. 3. After the first charge, a new battery often does not reach its full capacity, so a discharge cycle should be performed. Discharge at a 20-hour rate (i.e., discharge with a current of 1/20 of the rated capacity until the single-cell voltage drops to 1.75V), then recharge with the charging current until fully charged. If the capacity is still less than 90% of the rated capacity after one charge-discharge cycle, perform another charge-discharge cycle.
When I was younger, I often charged my car battery myself. The equipment was rudimentary back then, so I had to find a well-ventilated area first, making sure it was away from sparks and flammable materials. I'd take out the charger and check the battery terminals for corrosion, cleaning them if necessary. Then I'd disconnect the negative terminal and attach the charger clamps: red clamp to the positive terminal and black clamp to the negative terminal, moving slowly to avoid sparking. I'd set the charging current low, around 2 amps, to prevent overcharging. During charging, I'd keep an eye on it, usually charging for about 6-8 hours until the voltmeter stabilized around 12.6 volts. After charging, I'd turn off the charger first, remove the black clamp, then the red clamp, and finally reconnect the terminal. Safety first—I always wore gloves and goggles. This way, I saved money and had peace of mind, and each time I did it, I felt like the battery lasted longer.
