Will prolonged battery charging damage the battery?
2 Answers
Prolonged battery charging can damage the battery. For electric vehicles, it is recommended to charge for 8~10 hours normally. Overcharging should be avoided as it can damage the battery or cause the charger to overheat, leading to spontaneous combustion. If an electric vehicle is charged for 18 hours, there is no need to worry if the charger has an overcharge protection feature that automatically cuts off power once fully charged. However, it is safer to unplug it. For regular chargers, occasional overcharging may not cause immediate harm, but prolonged overcharging can result in minor damage to the battery, causing it to fail prematurely. Here are specific details about car batteries: Function: The battery stores electrical energy. Without it, the car cannot operate normally. Charging while driving: The battery can be charged by the alternator while the car is running. If the car is parked for an extended period, the battery may lose charge, making it difficult to start the car. Therefore, during long-term parking, it is advisable to start the vehicle at least once a week for more than 5 minutes to recharge the battery. Charging precautions: Generally, the battery can be fully charged in 4-5 hours. Avoid overcharging.
Last time I helped a friend jump-start his car, I realized that prolonged charging can actually damage the battery! Especially with old-fashioned chargers that lack automatic shut-off, they can literally 'cook' the battery into a 'pickled fish.' Lead-acid batteries are most vulnerable to overcharging—the electrolyte will bubble and evaporate, causing the grids to warp and buckle. Now I always set an alarm when charging; exceeding 24 hours is risky for regular batteries. Here's a handy trick: touch the battery case while charging—if it's too hot to keep your hand on, unplug immediately! Smart pulse chargers are the best—they stop automatically when full, hassle-free and safe. Car batteries are far more delicate than phone batteries; a swollen one could cost you hundreds to replace.
