How to Properly Charge a Car Battery
Tips & Support
- Sponsor
- OPTIMA Chargers
- Location
- Glendale, WI
OPTIMA Jim filmed this very informative video on charging OPTIMA batteries, but the reality is, the same thing about potentially overcharging batteries holds true for any other kind of lead-acid or flooded car battery. Car batteries are essentially boxes of energy and battery chargers put energy into those boxes. If you are not using a battery charger that is microprocessor-controlled or otherwise tapers amperage and voltage during the charging process, like an OPTIMA charger, you run the risk of severely overcharging your car battery.
The AutoMeter charger briefly shown in this video is very similar to the battery testers/chargers used at auto parts stores. When that charger is connected to a battery, it will measure voltage and if needed, attempt to fully charge the car battery before testing it. It will also typically indicate a countdown of how long that might take in minutes. Because those chargers are often used in retail locations and customers don't want to wait very long, the chargers will operate at a higher output rate, but they typically will not keep pushing current into a fully-charged battery. Some other battery chargers are not as sophisticated and will just begin pushing current into a car battery until someone turns it off or there is a catastrophic event.
If you have one of these less sophisticated, unregulated car battery chargers, you need to exercise caution when using it and if you are trying to charge an OPTIMA car battery, don't exceed a charge rate of 10 amps. As we mention in the video, its ok if the battery gets warm while charging, but if the battery gets hot to the touch, discontinue charging immediately and recycle the battery. When charging a battery, don't forget to connect the red/positive terminal first. If you'd like to learn more about OPTIMA chargers, click here.
The AutoMeter charger briefly shown in this video is very similar to the battery testers/chargers used at auto parts stores. When that charger is connected to a battery, it will measure voltage and if needed, attempt to fully charge the car battery before testing it. It will also typically indicate a countdown of how long that might take in minutes. Because those chargers are often used in retail locations and customers don't want to wait very long, the chargers will operate at a higher output rate, but they typically will not keep pushing current into a fully-charged battery. Some other battery chargers are not as sophisticated and will just begin pushing current into a car battery until someone turns it off or there is a catastrophic event.
If you have one of these less sophisticated, unregulated car battery chargers, you need to exercise caution when using it and if you are trying to charge an OPTIMA car battery, don't exceed a charge rate of 10 amps. As we mention in the video, its ok if the battery gets warm while charging, but if the battery gets hot to the touch, discontinue charging immediately and recycle the battery. When charging a battery, don't forget to connect the red/positive terminal first. If you'd like to learn more about OPTIMA chargers, click here.