Contrary to what most people believe, batteries are more complicated than they seem, so much so that even technical people don’t find it easy to understand the charging process. Car battery charging is an essential step in primary care and maintenance, especially if you don’t drive your car frequently.
It’s critical to ensure that your battery runs on a sufficient charge; otherwise, the battery will discharge in time and experience low starting and auxiliary power frequently. It’s a simple procedure that every motorist should know, so take a few minutes to study the following tips:
Check to see if your battery requires charging
Never charge a full battery since this will damage the internal components. In general, batteries need charging if stored unused for long periods or had been accidentally drained. It’s also good practice to charge a battery that shows signs of age to restore it, at least temporarily.
The tools required to carry out this process are a digital car battery meter to check the state of voltage and a hydrometer to check the acid electrolyte solution’s specific gravity. These two procedures will show you state-of-charge or if the battery has any dead cells.
Know your car batteries specifications
Before buying or renting a charger, read and understand the manufacturer’s instructions and safe handling guidelines. The type of charger you will be using will depend on the type of automotive battery you have and its components. For example, AGM and Calcium/Calcium batteries require different charge rate settings from each other, so it is essential you know your battery type.
If you’re unsure, ask a battery specialist for advice and make sure to use a good quality battery charger that has been approved for use in Australia and performs your specific task successfully.
Car Battery Charging Requires You Observe All Safety Precautions
Before charging, always check the battery chargers compatibility and correct voltage. Make sure the charger is turned off before attaching it to the terminal clamps. Bring the car to a well-ventilated area or, if possible, one that has a clear space away from sparks and open flames.
Frequently check the manufacturer’s instructions on using the charger and see if you’re doing it correctly, particularly in placing settings. This will help prevent overheating and, most importantly, over-charging.
In parallel charging, know that specific charging times and rates are not easy to determine because of factors such as the battery’s electrical capacity, electrolyte temperature, battery condition and state of charge at the time of charging. Take note of the manufacturer’s guidelines regarding approximate charge times, so you have an idea of what to expect.
To be on the safe side, always wear safety glasses and acid-proof gloves before charging. Vehicle batteries contain sulfuric acid, which produces a highly flammable gas, hydrogen, whilst being charged. It is also highly corrosive and should completely avoid contact with bodily parts.
Which Fully Automated CTEK Charger Do We Recommend?
For the enthusiast looking for the following features with a 5 Year Warranty:
- Diagnose the battery’s condition to determine if it can take charge due to deep discharging and sulfation.
- Suitable for lead-acid, AGM and Stop-Start batteries.
- Patented Float-Pulse maintenance to keep batteries at an optimum charge, therefore increasing longevity.
- A fully automated process protects the electronics of the vehicle, spark-free and reverse-polarity protected and proofed from short-circuiting.
- Ready to check out even more features at an affordable price?
Keynote:
When car battery charging is required, we always recommend it as a first choice; you get professionals to do it for you. It is quite a dangerous procedure, especially if unsure of the correct steps required to avoid injury to oneself.
Call your battery technician service guy, and get it tested and charged by a professional.
We highly recommend a great resource on common frequently asked battery questions. (Opens in new window)
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