Is It Best to Trickle Charge a Battery? Introduction And Charging Methods

Trickle charging is a slow and continuous way of charging a battery. It is used when the battery is not in use for long periods of time, or when it needs to be stored for extended periods. This type of charging keeps the battery from self-discharging and keeps it at a full charge.

Why you should charge instead of driving?

There are two issues with driving over using a trickle charger on your battery. One is that the alternator can only put out a limited amount of amperage, so the battery is likely to still be low on a charge if you only drive to work or run some errands. The other issue is that alternators aren't designed to charge completely dead batteries.

If you want to be sure that your car battery is properly recharged, use a trickle charger!

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How to trickle charge a dead car battery?

Using a trickle charge is simple. A simple box, a power cord, and two alligator clips make up most trickle chargers. Before connecting anything, make sure that you've set the appropriate voltage and amperage for your battery. 

Prep. It's critical to double-check all of the necessary safety procedures before you begin connecting your charger. 

The first thing to do is move your car to a well-ventilated area, as the charging process can produce explosive gases. Once you've found a good spot, open the hood of your car, and locate the battery.

Next, make sure that all the electronics in the vehicle are turned off, the car is off, and the keys are removed.

Find ground location. The crucial step in creating a safe and efficient trickle charger circuit is finding a suitable location to connect the negative terminal of your charger. This will typically be either a spot of metal on the frame of the car or a large bolt from the chassis or engine block. 

Either way, the surface should be clean(ish), and free from too much dirt, oil, and whatever grime can accumulate. Just make sure not to use the negative terminal on the battery.

Connect. With the alligator clips, you'll see a red and black clip. The red is the positive cable, and the black is the negative cable.

You need to connect the positive lead of the charger to the positive terminal of your battery, and the negative lead of the charger to the ground mental location you found earlier. Make sure that this connect is securely attached before plugging in your charger and turning it on.

Turn charger on. After you've established a connection, double-check that all the needed parameters are as per the manufacturer's instructions for the kind of battery you're using. Once you're good to go, turn your charger on. 

Many smart chargers will have an amp meter. If you're battery reads low, you may not need to charge it. This is because dead batteries read high while fully charged ones read close to 0. If you suspect that your battery is drained by still reading low on the amp meter, double check the connections you made. Make sure that when you check, you turn the charger off and unplug it before reconnecting the wires.

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Trickle charging. After you turn the charger on, you'll see the chargers display showing that it is working properly. If it takes longer than a few minutes, then your dead battery may not be recoverable, and you may need to purchase a new battery. If your charger display is working properly however, keep the battery charging until it's full.

How often to trickle charge a car battery?

There is no set time for how often to trickle charge a battery. It depends on the type of battery, how it is being used, and how often it needs to be charged. For example, if a battery is only used occasionally, it may only need to be trickle charged once every few months. However, if a battery is used frequently, it may need to be trickle charged every few weeks.

How long to trickle charge a car battery?

The length of time needed to trickle charge a battery depends on the type of battery and the charger being used. Most trickle chargers have an automatic shut-off feature that will turn the charger off when the battery is fully charged.

Although it's not necessary, some trickle chargers can keep your battery healthy for months if left connected, making it a simple long-term battery maintenance strategy. Other trickle chargers should only be left at most for a few days.

Make sure to check the manual to be sure what your charger is capable of. 

Why you should charge slowly?

While it may seem logical that charging a battery faster would be better, this is actually not the case. Charging a battery too quickly can damage the battery and reduce its lifespan. This is because fast charging generates heat, which can break down the chemical structure of the battery. In very extreme cases, charging too fast can cause a battery to explode from the heat.

The charging rate must also be adjusted to prevent overcharging, which can damage the battery. This is prevented by trickle chargers that may detect the charge level and automatically change the amperage.

Conclusion

Trickle charging is the best way to charge a battery because it slowly and safely adds charge to the battery without damaging it. Charging a battery slowly and steadily allows for a more complete charge and helps to prolong the life of the battery.