What is the normal current during charging?
3 Answers
Automobile charging current is generally 6A. The charging methods and precautions are as follows: Charging methods: Portable charger carried with the vehicle: Electric vehicles are usually equipped with a portable charger, allowing owners to charge using household power sources; Home charging station: When purchasing an electric vehicle, a home charging station is generally included as a gift; Public charging station: The advantage of this charging method is the ability to choose between DC fast charging and AC slow charging based on actual conditions. Precautions for automobile charging: During the charging process, measure the density and voltage of the electrolyte approximately every hour, and check the temperature. When the temperature exceeds 40 degrees, the charging current should be halved. If the temperature continues to rise above 45 degrees, charging should be stopped and resumed only after cooling below 35 degrees.
As someone who frequently drives electric vehicles, I've found that the normal charging current depends on the charging method and vehicle type. For home slow charging, the current typically ranges between 10A and 16A at 220V voltage, which is both fast and safe. At public fast charging stations, the current can exceed 50A, but currents above 80A require special cables to prevent overheating. Different vehicle models have variations: for example, Tesla's home charging standard is 32A, while Nissan might lower it to 16A. The battery management system automatically adjusts the current based on temperature; in winter, it might reduce to 8A to protect battery lifespan. I remember once charging in zero-degree weather when the current was only 10A, which is perfectly normal. The key is to avoid forcing high-speed charging to prevent shortening battery life. Currents too low (below 5A) charge too slowly, while too high currents increase risks, so choosing a smart charger is the most worry-free option.
When maintaining a traditional lead-acid car battery, the normal charging current is one-tenth of the battery's capacity. For a 60Ah battery, a 6A current is standard, and it takes about 6-8 hours to fully charge. Exceeding 15A may cause overheating, battery damage, or acid leakage, while too low a current like 3A takes too long and may not fully charge. I've seen cases where a 20A charger used on a small battery caused a short circuit and fire—using an auto-regulating charger can prevent this. During charging, the battery voltage rises to around 14.4V, indicating completion; overcharging will shorten the battery's lifespan. Regularly checking the ammeter reading is a good practice to ensure it stays within the safe range.