How to Charge Your Car Battery at Home?

Did you know that one of the top reasons for roadside assistance is an issue with car batteries? It’s a crucial component of your vehicle and needs attention, care, and even replacement from time to time. A failed battery can put your travel plans on hold and may even lead to some unforeseen situations. If you are stuck with a dead car battery at home, there are few easy steps to recharge it.

As most of the car’s electric parts run on the battery, its proper functioning is dependent on regular maintenance and replacement. You might have a lot of questions about how to charge a car battery at home. We will answer them all!

As compared to modern cars, the older ones are much easier to charge up. With the help of some simple tools, the battery can be revived in just a few minutes. However, modern or high-end cars can get a bit tricky or challenging.

Before getting on how to charge it up, let’s learn more about the car battery!

When does your car battery need replacement?

With the help of a regular check-up, you can understand your car battery’s status. If you want to avoid any heavy damage, spot all the possible signs at the earliest. Trust us; it helps in saving a lot of money.

Signs of a Worn Battery

Understanding your battery can enhance its life. Here are some of the signs that you need to notice.

1. A green-powdery build-up on the battery terminal.
2. A battery warning light blinking on your dashboard.
3. Engine taking longer than usual to ignite
4. Engine warning light blinking on the dashboard.

| Also Read: How to Jump Start a Car? |

Causes of Flat Batteries

When it comes to cars, there can be numerous reasons why your car batteries go flat. Even though the most common cause can be your car’s age, there are still many more reasons you might not be aware of.

1. Often, short journeys do not let the battery fully charge up and can unintentionally make the batteries go flat.
2. Even though your car is not running, you might still be using the onboard electronic devices. It can drain all the existing charges.
3. During extreme seasons like winter or summer, the batteries tend to go flat.
4. The most overlooked reason is the overcharging of the battery.
5. Ignoring the demand of your car and fitting the wrong battery.

How long does it take to charge a car battery?

As a new owner, it often gets difficult to understand how long to charge a car battery. Well, this totally depends on the model, battery amps and charger. The high charging speed is 6-10amps, and the low charging speed is 2-3amps. The lower charging speed takes about overnight to replenish. The most trusted car-service provider recommends opting for a slower charging mode to avoid the risk of damage.

|Also Read: The Most Important Facts About Your Car Battery |

How to charge a car battery at home?

Confused about how to charge a car battery all by yourself? Or how long does it take to charge the battery? Do not worry!

With the help of the guide, you can conveniently charge your battery and hit the road in no time. Car batteries tend to go flat for numerous reasons, and therefore, it is essential to charge them for a smooth driving experience.

Here’s how you can revive your car battery quickly at home.

1. Type of car battery you have

Before you start with the whole car battery recharging process, it is crucial to understand the battery.

If the car has a start and stops technology, you will require an AGM or EFB battery. Since these batteries do not support a conventional charger, you will have to look for ‘a smart’ one. Take a look at the manual or manufacturer’s guide.

In case you are unsure about the type of battery your car has, check out the best car service provider in the UK.

2. Take a look at the connection

Before you start connecting anything, make sure you check out the lead terminals and other connections. If they are corroded or dirty, you need to clean them before moving forward with charging your battery. Connecting dirty clamps can reduce the life of your battery.

3. Disconnecting the battery

It is always a smart move to disconnect your battery from your car before recharging it. Make sure to disconnect the negative lead first and connect it at the end. The process is followed to avoid any shock if someone accidentally touches the positive lead. With the help of a clamp, the terminals are attached to the car battery. It can be tightened or loosened with a bolt.

Always remember to undo the negative terminal first and then move to the other side. Another important thing you need to keep in mind is to set your radio, car seat and dashboard setting after disconnecting your car battery. Ensure that you have the security codes to do the task.

4. Connect the charger

Maintain a safe distance between the charger and the car battery. Avoid keeping the charger on top of your car battery when it’s being charged. With the help of the clamps, connect to the terminal of the battery. Connect positive to positive and negative to negative leads. In the end, plug the charger.

5. Switch on the charger

Read the manual before switching on the charger. Many chargers automatically turn off when the battery is revived, but many need to be disconnected after the process. Overcharging damages the battery, so it is essential to keep an eye on the charging process.

The last step: Once your battery is fully charged, disconnect the charger and clamps. Reconnect your car battery leading with the positive one. Remember to connect the negative lead at the end. You can now hit the road!

| Also Read: How to Start a Car with a Dead Battery Without Jumper Cables?|

Bonus Tips

Charging your battery at home is not rocket science. However, batteries emit hydrogen gas when being charged up, especially at a higher voltage. Therefore, it is crucial to keep the charger and the battery away from each other. Ensure there is nothing on top of the battery for safety reasons.

Another important tip is that batteries do not last long. If it is losing charge, make sure you replace it with a new one to increase the life of your car.

FAQs

What is the best way to charge a car battery?

Car service providers always recommend setting the charger to the slowest Charge rate. It is the best way to charge the battery. Using high-voltage power to charge the battery faster can shorten the lifespan of your car battery.

How long does it take to charge a car battery at home?

If you are using around 4-8 amperes, your car battery can take about 10-24 hours to complete the charge.

Can you charge a car battery with a wall outlet?

A completely drained out battery can be recharged in multiple ways using the jump-start method, wall outlets, chargers and many more.

Can a completely dead battery be recharged?

Connect your dead battery to the jump starter for a completely dead battery.

Bottom Line

This was all about charging your car battery at home.
Always make sure you use the right charger for your battery. I can find numerous chargers with various features online as well as offline stores. Pick the right one that is compatible with your battery and also increases the battery life. In case of any difficulty, feel free to take the help of a professional. Do not let a flat car battery hamper your travel plans!