How to Use a Car Battery Charger

If you find yourself in a situation where your car battery is dead, you can use a battery charger to give it a boost. That way, you can make it to your destination safely. There are a few different types of car battery chargers — all of which serve different purposes. If you’re wondering how to use a car battery charger, the service team at Bettenhausen Automotive has you covered. Below, we’ve covered how to use a car battery charger, the different types of chargers available to you, and what you can expect when you use one. 

Prepping the Car Battery Charger 

If the battery still has some juice, it’s likely that a good jolt from the charger will get it going again. Before you get started, however, you may have to remove the car battery in order to charge it; it depends on the car you drive. Many car batteries are easy to access, but if you have one that’s located under the fender, in the trunk, or under the seat, you may need additional tools or help from a service expert. If you’d rather have a professional take a closer look at your car battery, schedule service online today! 

What Are the Types of Car Battery Chargers? 

There are three main types of car battery chargers: charger, maintainer, and restorer. Every type serves a specific purpose: 

• Charger: Typically, chargers use a low-amp charge to fully recharge a car battery in up to 24 hours, although they can be found in different outputs. You can also find portable car battery chargers to keep on-hand during long trips. When using a car battery charger, you’ll need to keep an eye on the battery’s charge level, or you can cause irreparable damage by overcharging the unit. 
• Maintainer: As the name suggests, maintainers will keep tabs on the battery’s charge level, and stop charging when the charge is full. These are great for providing continuous power without overcharging the battery. If you’re an outdoorsy type, you can pick up a solar-powered maintainer, which will allow you listen to music from your car while maintaining the battery’s charge. 
• Restorer: Car batteries can begin to formulate lead sulfate crystals when they run low on charge or fail altogether. This build-up of lead sulfate crystals can prevent the battery from ever reaching a full charge again. This is what restorers prevent; they detect battery sulfation and use a desulfator to restore the battery to its former self. A restorer is a great additional accessory for your battery, and most provide an output to charge your battery as well. 

Important Note: If you find yourself relying on a battery charger often, that’s a sign of a bigger issue that should be addressed.

How to Charge a Battery 

First, make sure the charger is off. Then, follow these general instructions (or the instructions that come with your charger):

• 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.
• Then, power on the charger and set a timer.
• When you’re ready to disconnect the charger, make sure it’s off first. 
• Then, detach the cables. 

How Long to Charge a Car Battery 

That depends on the output of the charger, as well as the condition of your car battery. If the voltage of the battery is less than 11.85, and you have a charger that supplies a 5-amp charger rate, it’ll take about 12 hours to fully charge your battery. If the charge rate of the charger is 10 amps, however, it’ll take about 6 hours to fully charge the battery. Those time estimates are for car batteries with 400-500 cold-cranking amps. The number of cold-cranking amps, as well as battery’s voltage, affect charge times. 

Get Battery Service or Replacement at Bettenhausen Automotive! 

It’s worth noting that if your battery cell is bad, it won’t hold a charge, regardless of how many times you charge it. If you’re having battery troubles, the service team at Bettenhausen Automotive can fit your vehicle with a brand-new genuine OEM battery. Contact us online or call us at 708-840-8252 to learn more about our service menu. In the meantime, browse our service specials for offers on much-needed services!