How to Use a Car Battery Charger

If you’re ready to take on your commute from Lincoln to Seward, the last thing you want to deal with is a dead battery. While a jump start is always a great way to get your vehicle going again, you’ll need to have another vehicle around to take on this job. That’s why learning how to use a car battery charger is a great skill to have! With a portable car battery charger, you can give your vehicle a boost when you’re in a pinch. There are various different types of battery chargers – each of which serves a unique purpose. If you’re anxious to learn how to use a car battery charger, Sid Dillon Chevrolet Crete is here to help! Below, we offer tons of service tips like how long to charge a car battery and more!

Prepping the Car Battery Charger

If you’re working with a battery that still has some charge, you can likely get it up and running with a good jolt. Before you get started, you may need to remove your battery. This will depend on the type of vehicle you drive. Luckily, batteries are generally easy to access, but if you have a battery that’s located under the fender, in the trunk, or under the seat, you may want to rely on the professionals at Sid Dillon Chevrolet Crete to take on your battery maintenance. 

What Are the Types of Car Battery Chargers? 

In terms of car battery chargers, there are three main kinds: charger, maintainer, and restorer: 

• Charger: Generally, car battery chargers can power your vehicle in roughly 24 hours. You can also purchase portable car battery chargers for your vehicles to provide a jolt in an emergency. When using a portable charger, keep an eye on the battery’s charge level so that you don’t overcharge. 
• Maintainer: As the name implies, a battery maintainer will monitor the battery’s charge level and stop the charging cycle when it’s full. This is a great tool if you want to provide continuous power without the risk of overcharging. 
• Restorer: Over time, car batteries can formulate lead sulfate crystals when they run low on power. The build-up of lead sulfate crystals can prevent the battery from fully charging in the future. A restorer prevents excess lead sulfate build-up by using a desulfator to restore the battery. 

Important Note: If you’re consistently relying on your vehicle’s battery charger for travel, you likely have a bigger issue that needs to be addressed. Consult with our team today if you’re concerned about your car’s power. 

How to Charge a Battery 

To charge a car battery, you’ll want to turn the charger off. After that, follow the instructions that came with your charger. If you don’t have any instructions with your specific charging setup, the following general steps should be followed:

• Attach the charger’s positive cable to the battery’s positive terminal.
• Attach the charger’s negative cable to the battery’s negative terminal. 
• Adjust the charger to its slowest charge rate.
• Next, turn on the charger and set a timer.
• When the time comes to disconnect the charger, make sure it’s turned off first. 
• Finally, remove all of the cables. 

How Long to Charge a Car Battery

Are you wondering how long to charge a car battery? This will depend on the output of your charger and the status of your battery. If the battery voltage is 11.85 or below and you have a charger that supplies a 5-amp charger rate, you can expect a 12-hour charge time in your Milford garage. With a 10 amp charger, the time to charge your battery will be cut down to roughly six hours. These charge times are based on car batteries with 400-500 cold-cranking amps. The number of cold-cranking amps and other factors will determine exactly how long a charge takes.

Get Battery Service or Replacement at Sid Dillon Chevrolet Crete! 

Now that you know how long to charge a car battery and how to use a portable car battery charger, you can maintain your car’s battery with ease. Sid Dillon Chevrolet Crete is here to make automotive ownership easy. Whether you’re wondering how long your battery will last or you need a major repair, our Crete team has the resources and information you need.