See how to charge a car battery with a charger. General battery charging procedure for all types of chargers. Battery charging process
With the support of the largest Japanese battery manufacturer GS Yuasa, we continue to publish a series of articles called , covering many aspects of the operation and handling of automotive batteries. In this article, we will look at the basic rules for charging car batteries. .
Fully electric have autonomy as a base, although the most modern models mean an improvement in the range between recharges, which can be 200 to 300 kilometers, or even more for the more advanced ones. In any case, charging stations can be a very important advantage. So much so that with about 30 minutes of energy, you get up to 80 percent or 90 percent of the total charge.
These alternatives come at an additional cost, but they may be a solution to follow the road. IN Lately of this type throughout the country. The price of reloading at these stations is not yet known, but this will not be the only alternative. Anyone who is buying or interested in an electric one will want to know the cost of charging it at home. That's why we're taking the current values of companies that provide light services in Buenos Aires to see when it's worth today.
Basic rules for charging batteries
- Do not charge the battery if the temperature is below 3 0 C, as the electrolyte may be frozen.
- Sealed and AGM batteries should only be charged using constant voltage or smart chargers. Do not use chargers with constant current and fast charging modes.
The less efficient driving, the more energy it will consume. If we use an average annual use of 15,000 kilometers, any driver would be wasting 200 pesos of fuel. Anyone who uses an electric car and uses the internal grid to recharge the batteries must pay the electric company an additional 587 pesos during the year, which will be added to the consumption at home.
Power output When the car is turned off, indoor lights and other components use the electricity stored in the vehicle's battery. If there are problems with the alternator, the battery does not charge properly when the vehicle is turned on, resulting in the battery being "dead" or discharging at some rate.
- U sealed X The battery does not have access to the electrolyte, therefore, it is impossible to top it up. They do not have removable vent plugs.
Note: The so-called sealed batteries, in fact, are not such - they haveventilation holes through which gases are released. A more correct term for batteries without plugs is sealed batteries.
Car chargers Car chargers for mobile phones allow the vehicle's current to be used to perform its functions. Simply connect them at the lighter or other types of sockets and outlets located in the cab.
Leaving the charger plugged in without your phone will drain your car's battery much more slowly than if the device was plugged in. When the car is turned on, the charging process will consume the electricity generated by the alternator, just like other car components.
- A new unused battery with a voltage below 11 V should be scrapped, there is no point in charging it.
General battery charging procedure for all types of chargers
This section presents general information for all types of chargers. The sections below provide information for different types chargers.
- Check the electrolyte level in all cells. If it is below the top edge of the separator, add distilled or deionized water to keep the top edge of the separator hidden. Do not fill to the highest level before charging, top up after charging.
- If you are using a constant current charger or a fast charger, remove the vent plugs before charging. There is no need to remove plugs if you are using constant voltage chargers or smart chargers.
- Check if the charger is turned off.
- When connecting the charger to the battery, connect the positive cable to the positive terminal and the negative cable to the negative.
- Turn on the charger. See below right conditions charging depending on the type of your charger.
- Stop charging if the battery starts to give off gas (a little gas is normal for final stages charging) or if the battery temperature rises above 50 0 C.
- Disconnect the charger.
- Wait 20 minutes for the gas to escape and then disconnect the wires from the battery as some chargers can remain energized and cause sparks.
- Check the electrolyte level in all cells and top up if necessary.
- Replace vent plugs if removed.
- Wash the battery with hot water and dry it.
Note: Many battery buyers underestimate how long it takes to charge a dead battery. This results in customers returning a working battery claiming it won't accept a charge.
Cell phone charging time varies depending on the device and the type of charger used. Currently, there are several types of chargers that differ mainly in price and, more importantly, in terms of their carrying capacity.
To make sure we all understand the meaning of these basic units, imagine a plumbing system where the current is the diameter of the pipe and the voltage is the speed of the water. This means they don't have enough funds to charge the phone in a reasonable amount of time, and this won't happen if you're talking to someone or have apps active.
Types of chargers and how to use them
There are many types of chargers: their operating principles and procedures for use are given below.
1. DC chargers
This type of charger (charger) provides a fixed constant pre-set current value, regardless of the battery voltage, during the entire charging process. Do not charge AGM batteries with DC chargers!
Automakers recognize the problem and are working on a solution. When the car is on, this energy comes from the battery, which is fully charged by the alternator. The alternator converts the mechanical movement of the internal combustion engine into electricity to keep the battery charged at all times. This means that the cell phone charger uses fuel indirectly. This assumes that the vehicle is well maintained, operating under optimum conditions and without power generation problems.
Charging procedure with DC devices
A. Ideally, each battery should be charged on a separate charger. If this is not possible, charge the batteries by connecting them in series. We do not recommend charging batteries by connecting them in parallel, as it is impossible to control the amount of current passing through each battery. If batteries with different levels of charge are charged in series, each battery must be removed as soon as it is charged (if you wait for the last battery to charge, some batteries will get overcharged).
The use of extra fuel is negligible as the alternator runs all the time the engine is on, whether you are charging your phone or not. In terms of fuel consumption when the vehicle is stopped, the figures vary depending on the type of vehicle, fuel, year and conditions.
Before calling a trailer, equate one of these methods to charge your vehicle's battery. If you have battery cables in your bag, you can ask a nearby driver to try and restart the engine through the car's electrical discharge. Make sure your battery is clean and undamaged, there are no leaks, no cables, and that there is good ventilation in place. Before touching the battery, you must wear safety goggles and gloves.
B. Measure battery open circuit voltage. To obtain a stable voltage, the battery should not be used or charged at least 3 hours before the voltage test.
C. Charge the battery with the manufacturer's recommended current (usually 1/10 of the nominal battery capacity). If it is not possible to set the charger to the recommended current, increase or decrease the charging time proportionally. For example, if it is recommended to charge the battery at 4A for 6 hours (24 Ah = 4 x 6), then, at a current of 2A, charge the battery for 12 hours (24 Ah = 12 x 2).
Have them park a car that works near you to connect the battery cables to the battery. Connect the other end of the red wire to the positive terminal of the car that is running. Insert the black lead into the vehicle's negative terminal The other end of the black cable is placed on a clean metal surface of the stationary vehicle. Always avoid the other negative terminal as there may be sparks or an explosion. Start the car running for a few minutes to charge your car battery.
- Disconnect everything electronic elements and both igniters.
- Connect one end of the red wire to the positive terminal of the dead battery.
D. Charge the battery for the number of hours indicated in the table below, depending on the open circuit voltage. For example, if the battery has a voltage of 12.16 V, charge it for 10 hours at the manufacturer's recommended current.
| Open circuit voltage (V) | Charging time (hours) |
| above 12.40 | 4 |
| 12,31 — 12,40 | 6 |
| 12,21 – 12,30 | 8 |
| 12,11 – 12,20 | 10 |
| 12,01 — 12,10 | 12 |
| 11,91 – 12,00 | 14 |
| 11,81 – 11,90 | 16 |
| 11,71 – 11,80 | 18 |
| 11,00 – 11,70 | 20 |
| below 11.00 | See paragraph "E" below |
E. If you are charging an over-discharged used battery below 11V, you may need a specialized charger that can provide a very high charging voltage and the required current may not be available at first. In this case, monitor the current and adjust it if necessary during charging.
Put the car in second gear to avoid putting on the clutch, key in the on position and release the clutch, quickly charging the accelerator when the car is running. Now that the engine is up, get ready for half an hour for the battery to charge at a pace.
Turn off electrical equipment that you do not need to save and direct power to the battery. If your car runs out of battery at home, you can use a charger sold in hypermarkets. They plug into a regular household outlet and charge the battery over time. Battery chargers can be charged with different speed, which is the most effective method car battery charging.
Note : If the battery is over-discharged, its life and performance can be significantly reduced due to irreversible sulfation. Charging can further reduce its possible life.
2. Constant voltage chargers
This type of charger provides a fixed constant pre-set voltage during the charging period. The current cannot be set and will drop as the battery charge increases.
Reasons why the battery won't pick up
In any case, pay attention to the water level in your battery and go to the garage to check the condition of the battery. There are several processes and possibilities for recharging an electric vehicle battery. The simplest of them are at home, using a regular 10A household outlet or through a specific charging system - a wall panel. Inductive charging, faster and wireless, is still being tested by several companies and will be available in three to four years.
Charging an electric car at a household outlet
Despite the existence of a public network of charging stations, it is almost a prerequisite for those who own an electric car to have their own space where they can charge the car's battery. For those who live on the 4th floor without a garage, it is impractical to have electric car. There are exceptions: there are cases when people living on the ground floor, using the socket in the window, use it to charge the car battery. But this is not the rule.
Charging Procedure with Constant Voltage Chargers and Modified Constant Voltage Chargers
A. These chargers are designed to charge one battery at a time.
B. Stop charging if the battery starts gassing and the battery voltage does not rise within 2 hours.
Note : Most constant voltage chargers cannot charge a heavily discharged battery (below 11V) in a short amount of time. 24 hours minimum is the norm. It may not be possible to charge a heavily discharged battery at all.
Wall Mounted Electric Vehicle Charging Box
On the other hand, the time required to charge the batteries has also increased. Therefore, for those who have an electric car, it is highly recommended to purchase a wall panel, a home charging station, which greatly reduces the loading time. In addition to electric vehicle manufacturers, there are other companies that provide and install hanging boxes suitable for every type of car and home.
And a company that centralizes the management of a network of suppliers. And he was restoring the network, which was very degraded, and installing new stations - not only normal, but also semi-fast and fast. It was estimated that it would be paid in October, but the deadline was extended by a few more months.
3. Modified constant voltage chargers
Most commercial chargers, especially those used in the home, are of this type and cannot be pre-set for either voltage or current.
Charging procedure with modified constant voltage chargers.
The price and conditions will vary depending on the chosen supplier. This is what currently exists. In the medium term, there will be less expensive batteries and more autonomy, as well as simpler and quick ways charging. Lithium-ion batteries are a technology that has already exhausted its potential - progress in the development of this type of energy storage system is negligible, despite serious attempts. Scientists, starters and large enterprises there is increasing talk that it is time for a radical change in the type of batteries we use.
A. Follow the procedure described above in the Charging Procedure with Constant Voltage Chargers paragraph above.
4. Smart chargers
The latest generation of chargers can monitor the condition of the battery and deliver an automatically controlled charge that will charge the battery in the shortest possible time without damage or overcharging. Some "smart" chargers have special modes for charging "calcium" batteries and can charge them in a deep discharge state, which other types of chargers cannot do.
Every possibility is being explored. Hydrogen fuel cells seem to be the closest and most realistic "future" energy source. It already works at the user level. But in their laboratories, scientists conduct experiments that can give a person a real emotional shock.
Batteries powered by human sweat
Graphene is a form of carbon that is known as a "supermaterial". It's not very good, but it can be used over and over again without losing its effectiveness. Exercise may be enough to recharge all the batteries on our wearable gadgets. A research team in China has created a new battery that can be safely used in portable or implantable devices, thanks to the use of salt electrolytes.
Charging procedure with smart chargers
A. Follow the manufacturer's instructions.
B. These chargers can charge deeply discharged batteries (below 11V). There are special modes for charging "calcium" batteries.
5. Fast chargers (boosters)
They provide a very high initial current and are mainly used for fast charging of discharged batteries when the customer urgently needs it (boost or pre-start charging). The current decreases as the state of charge of the battery increases, you need to monitor the temperature of the battery so that it does not overheat.
The new battery uses harmless electrolytes such as sodium sulfate and saline. Since their potential leakage is not dangerous, the battery design does not require additional material to protect people from contact with the electrolyte - and therefore the battery is significantly less bulky.
Recycled glass batteries
Good glass for recycling! A team of researchers at the University of California, Riverside, has developed a way to turn unwanted glass bottles into lithium-ion batteries. These batteries can store almost four times more energy. They are able to withstand much longer than conventional batteries. This could mean significantly less charging for our portable electronics - computers, mobile phones, tablets, etc.
Charging procedure with fast chargers
A. Boosters should only be used in exceptional cases, as a quick charge will greatly reduce the life of the battery, especially if it is not charged for the first time using these devices.
B. Never charge a heavily discharged battery (below 11V) with such devices, as it will be highly sulphated in order to accept a charge: scrap the battery or charge it in the usual way.
Creative people come up with environmental solutions, even drinking their own beer. Perhaps this is how a group of engineers from the University of Colorado Boulder developed a process to create lithium-ion batteries from waste containing saccharide wastewater that is released into the brewing process. These bio-products are not only a sustainable source of materials for batteries and fuel cells, but also a cheap way to deal with the huge volume of Wastewater from breweries.
It's already a known form factor - "coin" type batteries, the question is how much power can be packed in that size? A Bulgarian research team is developing a ceramic battery that can charge for about an hour and provides an electric car with a reasonably long range. Equally impressive is its small size: at a speed of 1 stotinkin it can power a smartphone and the size of a tea box, it can power a car for about 500 km. So far, the development is at the prototype stage.
C. Use only fast chargers that limit the charging voltage to a maximum of 14.2V and have temperature monitoring.
D. Carefully follow the charger manufacturer's instructions.
If the engine is the heart of a car, then the battery is its soul. No matter how strong and good the motor is, without power supply, you will not be able to start all the gears. Well, if you do not take into account those methods that require a group pushing the car or finding a big slide. Therefore, it is so important to know how to properly charge a car battery in order not to resort to such problematic methods.
But first things first, for a true car enthusiast, even the most minor details about his favorite are very important, because, sooner or later, they can play an important role in his life. Therefore, only in this review will all the important coins be revealed, about such a seemingly simple process as charging a battery.
It all starts with the purchase of a charger, only thanks to it you can keep the battery in good condition. The main task facing the charger is to convert AC to DC, so sometimes such devices are called rectifiers. Only such electricity can "feast" on the battery, otherwise it will have to be replaced much earlier than the period set by the factory, or rather, after the first charge.
Almost all modern rectifiers have a set of switches that can adjust the current strength. This will help you easily adjust the current supply for 12 and 24 volt batteries, as well as adjust their work.
In addition, any rectifier must be able to create a voltage of several volts above the power indicated on the battery. This is necessary in order to charge the battery to its maximum limit. For example, for a 12-volt device, you need a rectifier capable of providing a voltage of 16-16.5 volts.
Battery Charging Sequence
Each charging device consists of a plug, a rectifier unit and two wires with terminals. The terminals are marked “+” and “-”, they should never be confused, unless of course there is a desire to witness bright fireworks from sparks and pieces of plastic.
For a good charge, the battery must be removed from the car. It will not be difficult to cope with this task, all fasteners can be disconnected in a few minutes, or even less. The charging process is best done in a warm room, so that you periodically look at the performance of the device.
The charging sequence is as follows:
It is this sequence that is the answer to the question of how to properly charge a car battery. There is nothing difficult in remembering it, so neither an amateur, nor even an experienced driver, should have any difficulties.
Battery Care Features
To achieve long service battery need to be checked regularly. This will help to avoid breakdowns, as well as prevent a situation where the car stops starting at the most inopportune moment for this.
- First of all, you need to constantly monitor the level of electrolyte. It is very good when the battery has special marks for control, but what if there are none? Everything is very simple, you just need to find a glass tube.
- Each motorist, in addition to charging, also needs to purchase a hydrometer. This device helps to calculate the density of the electrolyte in the battery. Depending on the design of the instrument, the measurement technology may vary slightly, but the fact that each sample is taken from a separate jar remains unchanged.
In summer, the battery density should be in the range from 1.27 to 1.19 g / cm³, in winter this figure should be at the level of 1.25-1.29 g / cm³, otherwise there is a high risk of electrolyte freezing. If the density is too low, recharging should be carried out immediately, if the density is too high, dilute the electrolyte with a new portion of distilled water.
What is sulfation and how to deal with it
One of the most common battery failures is sulfation. It leads to the fact that the resistance inside the battery increases, as a result, charging becomes more complicated, and over time it becomes completely impossible.
The main causes of sulfation are:
- increased electrolyte density;
- frequent discharge of the battery to failure;
- long shelf life in an uncharged state.
It is impossible to get rid of strong sulfation, which means that the only way out is to replace the battery. Therefore, it is more reasonable to take preventive measures that can protect against this terrible scourge.
by the most effective way there will be periodic discharge and charging of the battery to failure, it should be carried out no more than once a month, otherwise the treatment may cause the disease. Also, do not charge the battery in accelerated mode; on the rectifier, it is often marked with the word “Boost”. Although this saves time, it cannot pass without consequences for the lead plates.
Battery problems in winter
With the advent of cold weather, all motorists begin to panic. Low temperatures not only complicate the ignition process, but can also cause the battery to freeze. To avoid this, you must always monitor the density of the electrolyte.
So, with an indicator of 1.27-1.29 g / cm³, the battery can safely endure temperatures of minus 50-60 degrees, but if the division drops below 1.23-1.19 g / cm³, then even minus 10 will become a fatal temperature.
Experienced motorists during this period install various kinds of heaters on the battery. The most practical is the foam box, which is easy to build and adapt to any type of battery. It will not only protect against freezing, but also protect against many mechanical damages.
Also, the solution may be to buy a battery marked "Artik". Due to their design, they are able to withstand temperatures of minus 65 degrees, which will allow you to use it without any hassle throughout the winter season.
