Is it possible to interrupt the charging of a car battery?

How to properly charge a car battery

The battery is one of the most important parts of a vehicle: it allows you to start the engine and replace the alternator if it malfunctions. Recharging a car battery can be done with a working generator device (in the car) or from a charger (indoors).

To extend the battery life and avoid damage, you need to choose the right car battery charging parameters and follow safety precautions.

How often to charge your car battery

The frequency of charging the battery is determined individually. The battery consists of 6 sections-cans that contain the electrolyte reagent and electrodes. The most common type of car battery is WET. It uses acid as a reagent and lead as a material for electrodes.

During operation, the battery capacity decreases due to several factors:

contamination and reduction in reagent quality;
acid evaporation;
sulfation of lead electrode plates.

Reducing the battery capacity increases the required charging frequency, but shortens its duration. When using the battery for a long time, it is recommended to regularly check the voltage of the device.

The normal battery charge value in the warm season is >50% of the nominal value, and in the cold season - >75%. This is due to the difference in electrolyte density, the load on the battery and the degree of risk of it turning off at different temperatures.

Motorists and service center technicians recommend charging the battery to 100% at least 2 times a year, one of which is immediately before the onset of cold weather.

Checking the car battery

There are several ways to check the battery charge:

Using an indicator on the case. Some batteries are equipped with a hydrometric indicator. It allows you to evaluate not only the charge, but also the fullness of the reagent. When the indicator is green, the charge and acid level are normal; when it is white, the device requires recharging; and when it is red, the charge is at a minimum and/or the reagent needs to be topped up.
Using a multimeter. The diagnostic device is set to voltmeter mode and connected to the battery terminals. At the same time, the engine must be turned off: otherwise the driver will receive a charge from the generator, not the battery. When there is no load, the voltage at 100% charge is 12.66 V, at 75% - 12.42 V, at 50% - 12.18 V, at 0% - 11.7-11.8 V. Considering the small difference in indicators, The multimeter must have a minimum measurement error.
Using a load coil. This diagnostic device is a resistance element (18-20 mOhm), to which a voltmeter is connected in parallel. The coil is connected to the battery outputs for a few seconds, and then the readings are taken from the measuring device. Load tests are carried out mainly in car repair shops or at the point of sale of car batteries.

The charge level is measured no earlier than 8-9 hours after turning off the engine or removing the battery.

Experienced motorists identify an additional method of checking the battery: by ear. If the charge is at a sufficient level, the car starter rotates normally. When the charge decreases, the power system starts with effort, and the starter spins more slowly and with noticeable attenuation.

In service centers, the charge is often measured when starting an internal combustion engine (ICE) or lighting devices (dimensions and high beams).

When starting an internal combustion engine, the voltage norm is 9.5 V or more. If the voltmeter readings are below this value, this indicates a discharge of the battery or a malfunction of the starter. For differential diagnostics, a guaranteed working and fully charged battery is installed in the vehicle.

When measuring against the background of lighting devices, the battery voltage should be at least 11.2 V.

How to prepare a battery for charging

Preparing the device for charging is carried out according to the following algorithm:

Remove the battery from the car or disconnect it from the on-board network, disconnecting both wires or at least the negative wire. In the cold season, you need to bring the battery into a room with a temperature of at least +10°C and leave it for several hours so that the electrolyte has time to warm up.
Clean the terminals from oxides, sulfides and grease. Wipe the surface of the battery with a rag moistened with a solution of soda or ammonia (10%).
If the battery is a serviceable type, unscrew the caps located on the banks and place them next to each other. Drain off some of the electrolyte to check the color and presence of impurities. If the battery is maintenance-free, then remove the plug from the ventilation hole on the device. This will ensure the free release of reagent vapors and make the procedure safer.
Serviceable battery plugs allow you to add water to the sections. If the plates in the jar are immersed in the reagent by less than 0.5 cm, then it is necessary to add a little distilled water into it and level the level in other sections. This procedure is not carried out for a maintenance-free device, because the reagent remains at the required level throughout the entire service life.

Safety precautions

In the process of preparing and charging the car battery, the following rules must be observed:

charge the device in a well-ventilated area (garage, service station, or at least on the balcony);
if there are small children in the family, you cannot exercise in the apartment;
It is prohibited to smoke, set fire to anything or cut metal in the immediate vicinity of a charging battery;
Do not charge the device in a room with high humidity;
connect the terminals and clamps of the charger only when the charger is disconnected from the network;
use safety glasses and gloves during work to prevent the dangerous effects of acid fumes;
When working with a battery, keep a solution of 10% bicarbonate or sodium carbonate (soda) nearby.

A soda solution is suitable both for wiping the battery case from reagent fumes, and for neutralizing acid in case of careless handling of the electrolyte.

How to charge the battery

To start charging, you need to correctly connect the “crocodiles” of the charger to the “plus” and “minus” of the battery. In most cases, manufacturers mark the positive terminal in red and the negative terminal in black. However, before starting the process, it is recommended to clarify the polarity by finding the “+” and “-” signs on the battery case.

Connecting a battery to a charger under voltage may result in sparking at the terminals and ignition of gases that are released during electrolysis of distilled water.

There are 3 main ways to charge a battery: automatic, constant current (I) and constant voltage (U). They differ in duration and effectiveness. Despite the corresponding names, in the absence of automatic control systems, it is necessary to control both charge parameters (U, I).

You should check the battery charge level and temperature from time to time. When the reagent boils, you must immediately reduce I to recharge at low values.

DC charging

Charging at constant I is carried out as follows:

The current value is set at 1/10 of the battery's rated capacity. The standard capacity is 55 or 60 ampere hour. This means that I on the charger should not exceed 5.5-6 A, respectively. By manually setting this value on the charger, you must continue charging until the voltage measured at the terminals reaches 14.4 V (permissible error - 0.1 V).
When the battery is deeply discharged, it should be charged not with the nominal, but with the minimum I (1.5-2 A). This will avoid strong electrolysis of water and gradually increase the density of the electrolyte due to the decomposition of lead sulfate.
Once the specified U value is reached, the current should be reduced to 1/20 of the capacity. At 60 A*h it corresponds to 3 A. Reducing the charging intensity allows you to reduce the heating rate of the reagent and continue recharging to the maximum.
When U reaches 14.5-15 V, it is necessary to reduce I by half again. At the final stage of the process, you need to charge the battery until both charge parameters (I, U) reach a constant value. The final value of I should be within 0.2 A, which corresponds to self-discharge of the battery. The whole process takes from 8 to 12 hours.

Upon completion of charging, you need to allow the released gases to escape, wipe the battery case again with soda solution, tighten the caps on the cans or return the ventilation plug to its place.

If you neglect to neutralize the surface, the battery will quickly discharge again due to current loss to the electrolyte layer on the case.

Constant voltage charging

To charge at constant U you need:

Set the voltage to the nominal charging level - 14.4 V (permissible error - 0.1 V). Strict voltage control is necessary when charging maintenance-free batteries.
Observe the current value. It should be about 0.1 capacity (for maintenance-free batteries) or 0.05-0.1 capacity (for maintenance-free ones). I more than 20% of the capacity is harmful to the battery.
With a deep discharge, recovery should begin with U no more than 12-13 V. The value of I should not exceed 5% of the battery capacity. If I rises, then the voltage needs to be reduced even more.

Recovery at constant voltage is a longer process than at constant current. At nominal U, the battery restores 75-85% of its charge per day, at 15 V - up to 90%, at 16 V or more - 95-100%. In addition to these data, it is necessary to take into account the limitation of the charging voltage: for a battery U above 15.6 V is dangerous. If the discharge is severe, the recovery time for the device can be up to 3 days.

Accelerated battery charging

To quickly charge the battery, you need to apply I to it at 10-15 A, which corresponds to 20-25% of the device’s capacity. In 15-20 minutes of intensive recovery, the battery will acquire a sufficient charge to start the car.

Regularly using this charging method is harmful, because... High charger current shortens battery life.

Dependence of battery charge and electrolyte density

The charge and density of the electrolyte are interdependent quantities. If the battery is severely discharged, the driver will not be able to quickly restore battery function, because the reagent density in the sections will be minimal. The relationship between the density of the acid solution and the degree of charge of the battery is presented in the table.

Let's charge the battery! Instructions for beginners and blondes

Car batteries stay charged by using the extra power from the car's engine. Most can last for five years without needing to be replaced or recharged. But even the best batteries will eventually die prematurely if you leave the lights on for too long. It is a very inconvenient situation when the battery suddenly runs out. But even an inexperienced car enthusiast can easily recharge the battery using the instructions that we at 7vaz.ru have prepared for you.

Preparatory work

Wear suitable protective equipment

Safety is of the utmost importance whenever you service or operate your vehicle. Start by wearing safety glasses to protect you from sparks or battery fluid. It is also recommended to use gloves. Make sure that the room in which work is performed is well ventilated and sufficiently lit.

Gloves are not required. But they can protect you from minor pinches and cuts while working on your car.

Make sure there are no children nearby while you are charging your car's battery, as a spark may occur if the positive and negative cables accidentally touch each other.

Determine what kind of battery you have

To properly charge your battery, you must first determine the type of battery you have. You can usually find a description somewhere on the battery. Sometimes you may need to visit the manufacturer's website if the label is too worn to read the information on it.

You should also check the battery voltage on the label or in your vehicle's owner's manual.

Buy a car charger

Choose a charger that is suitable for your battery. Most chargers are universal and suitable for all types of batteries except gel ones. There are fast chargers that can charge your battery quickly and even give you a jump start. There are also inkjet chargers that charge slowly, but at a higher quality.

Many modern devices have a microprocessor installed that allows you to control the degree of battery charge. This is very convenient as the process stops automatically after the battery is fully charged.

Simpler and older models must be stopped manually to prevent dangerous overcharging. You should not leave them unattended for a long time in the connected state.

Read your charger's instruction manual to ensure you are using it correctly.
Even modern digital models must be carefully monitored during charging to ensure they are functioning properly and stopping before recharging the battery.

Disconnect and remove the battery

It is important to disconnect the battery before recharging it. Often circumstances allow you to charge the battery without removing it from the car. But many car enthusiasts still take the device out of the engine compartment and take it home or to a room where there is an electrical outlet.

Attention! Always disconnect the negative terminal first and then the positive terminal.

Clean the terminals

Any dirt on the battery terminals can prevent the charging cables from making a strong connection to the battery cells, so it is important to clean them thoroughly. Use baking soda and a damp cloth or sandpaper to remove any dirt or rust. Make sure the metal terminals are completely clean before moving on to the next step.

Sometimes you may find that the battery is fully charged, but dirty terminals are simply preventing electricity from flowing through.
Do not handle the terminals with bare hands, especially if there is white powder visible on them. This may be sulfuric acid, which can burn your skin if it comes into contact with it.

How to properly charge the battery

Place the charger on a stable surface

Never place the charger directly on the battery as it may connect the negative and positive terminals, causing damage to the battery and charger and possibly even causing a fire. Instead, place the charger on a stable surface as far away from the battery as the cables will allow. Before connecting the charger to the wall, make sure the room is well ventilated. Open your garage door or window if you are indoors.

Make sure the surface you place the charger on is sturdy to prevent it from falling or becoming detached from its terminals.
Use the full length of the cables to place the battery as far as possible from the charger.

Connect the charger to the battery

Connect the black cable from the charger, marked with a negative sign (-), to the negative terminal on the battery, marked with the same symbol. Then connect the red cable with a positive sign (+) to the positive terminal on the battery with the corresponding symbol. Be sure to check the connections before connecting or turning on the charger, as mixing positive and negative terminals can damage the battery or even cause a fire. [8]

Some vehicles may mark the positive terminal with the letters POS instead of the positive (+) symbol and NEG instead of the negative (-).
Make sure the cables are securely connected to allow electricity to flow from the charger to the battery.

Set up your charger

Digital chargers can show the voltage level in the battery and allow you to set the desired voltage level. Older models only allow you to turn the charging process on and off.

Speed chargers also give you the ability to choose the speed at which you want to charge the battery (often depicted as a turtle for a slow charge and a rabbit for a fast charge).

Fast charging is good for a car battery that recently died because you left a light on or something like that. If the battery has been discharged for a long time, it may require a longer charging process before it can be used.

If the device allows you to set the desired battery voltage, set the value indicated on the label.
Never put your charger into fast charge mode if you plan to leave it unattended.
If the slow charging mode is selected, the battery can be left unattended overnight.

There are two charging modes: constant current or constant voltage. The first method is considered more effective, because it does not require control. The second method is simpler, but allows you to charge the battery only up to 80 percent.

Some expensive charging models make it possible to use a combined method, thanks to which human participation is minimized.

How to charge with DC current

Set the voltage to 10 percent of the battery capacity and charge until the voltage rises to 14.4 V. For example, if the battery capacity is 60 Ah, then charge it with a current of about 6 Amperes.
Then you need to reduce the current by half (in our example to 3 Amps) to lower the boiling point.
As soon as the voltage level reaches 15 V, we again reduce the current by half and continue the charging process until the current value and voltage stop changing.

How to charge with constant voltage

The charging process is much easier. You just need to set the voltage level to 14.5 V and wait. The charging process can last up to 24 hours, the battery capacity will only be replenished to 80 percent. But there will be no need to control the process and be nearby.

Check the battery

After the battery is charged, check if it works. Some digital chargers provide information about whether the battery is holding a charge properly and whether it needs to be replaced. This can often be stated as a percentage. For example, a value of 100% means that the battery has 100 percent charge.

You can also use a voltmeter to measure the voltage in the battery after disconnecting it from the charger. To do this, touch the positive and negative cables from the voltmeter to the corresponding terminals. If the battery is still in the car, the surest way to check its functionality is to plug it back in and try to start the car.

If the voltmeter shows the number of volts that corresponds to the battery, the charger is fine and can be used to start the vehicle.
If the voltmeter shows that the battery is draining quickly or the car will not start, this indicates other problems or the need to replace the battery.

In some cases, there is no way to wait, and you need to start the car as quickly as possible. In this case, you can “light” it from another car. How to do this is described in detail in the step-by-step guide on the website 7vaz.ru

Battery Troubleshooting

Check battery performance at an auto parts store

If you have charged your battery using a battery charger or another vehicle and your car still won't start, remove the battery (if you haven't already) and take it to your local auto parts store. There you can charge the battery and check whether it works normally, whether it can be serviced or whether it is better to replace it with a new one.

If the battery is maintenance free, you will have to replace it if it won't hold a charge.

If the battery is bad, you will need to purchase a replacement.
If the battery is fully charged and operating normally, but the car does not start, check the battery cables to make sure they are not damaged and connect them securely to the terminals.

Check the generator

A faulty alternator can prevent your car from charging its battery enough to start the car again. Sometimes it doesn't produce enough electricity to even keep the car moving.

You should check if the alternator has any problems. To do this, start the car and then disconnect the positive terminal of the battery. A properly functioning alternator will produce enough electricity to keep the car running without a battery. But if the engine stops working, the generator most likely needs to be replaced.

Sometimes you can detect a problem with the generator by paying attention to the interior lighting. If the lights start to brighten when you press the gas pedal, and then dim again when you remove your foot, the generator is not working well.
If you remove the alternator from your car, many auto parts stores can check it to see if it needs replacement.

Listen to the sounds

If your car won't start but makes an audible click when you try, the battery probably doesn't have enough charge to start. This could be because it is not charged properly or the battery is too worn out to hold a charge. Try starting the car again or check the battery.

Make sure you have a good connection to the battery while charging, otherwise the battery will not be able to start the car.
A clicking sound indicates that there is some electricity in the battery, but not enough to start the engine.

If the car stalls

If the car starts after charging the battery but stalls shortly after starting, it may be due to the alternator. If it starts again or continues to spin but fails to start, the problem is not electrical. Most likely, problems arose with the delivery of fuel or air.

For an engine to operate properly, it must receive not only electricity, but also fuel and air.
You will most likely need to take your car to a mechanic to determine the source of the problem and fix it.

How to charge a maintenance free battery

08/12/2019 admin Comments No comments

Today, all modern cars are equipped with maintenance-free batteries, which have replaced the long-proven lead-acid batteries. They provide the greatest ease of operation throughout the entire guaranteed service life. There is no need to constantly check the electrolyte density and monitor the level of distilled water. All that is required for uninterrupted operation of this type of battery is timely recharging.

Features of maintenance-free batteries

The charging process has some differences from recharging classic batteries. They consist in the fact that production technology can vary significantly, and therefore the nature of service. The following battery options are available:

The main difference is that the first option may contain in the case the classic electrolyte that we are used to seeing. But there the “banks” are sealed, that is, physical access is limited. In addition, even the material used to produce the plates has some differences from lead plates.

The second type of battery is not even that refillable. The electrolyte is contained in the housing in the form of a special material - polypropylene. Gel batteries can also be included in this group. In such devices, the electrolyte is placed in a slightly different format; it is paired with silicon oxides. Powdered silicon is poured into the body, resulting in the formation of a gel during the reaction. The resulting gel fills the battery space.

As for additional recharging, such batteries certainly need such manipulation, given the peculiarity of most (city) drivers to travel for short trips. That is, during such “travels” the battery does not even have time to charge in the standard way. Therefore, in fact, recharging is required, especially for cold continents and the winter period.

Any battery, regardless of the type and model of production, discharges much faster in cold weather. And if the oil is thickened, the starter is unlikely to be able to turn the crankshaft with a “dead” battery. In addition, especially in cold weather, increased current is always supplied to the starter. Keep in mind that the battery may die in winter even after a couple of unsuccessful starts. Therefore, taking into account such features, it would not be superfluous to charge the battery to maximum values. In such conditions, operation in winter will not cause serious trouble.

The nuances of charging a maintenance-free battery

When recharging, you need to consider some points:

It is not possible to analyze and measure the electrolyte using classical devices.
Due to its technological features, the sealed case does not allow charging with high currents.

Before charging, the residual voltage should be checked and clarified. Suppose the battery was only partially or completely discharged, in this case it is allowed to charge only with continuous current. Given this feature, you need to set certain values on the “charger”, namely 14-14.5 V, no less and no more.

Important! Remember an important point: the current should in no case exceed the permissible amperage of the battery.

A slightly “stressed” battery under such conditions can be charged after a couple of hours. Please note that in some cases it is necessary to monitor the process. You can simply find out that charging is complete if the charger current level drops to 0.2 A, then you can turn off the charger. Once again, I would like to remind you that exceeding the permissible current at the battery terminals of 15 A is strictly prohibited, and it is also prohibited to supply voltage above 15.5 V.

In cases where the battery is completely dead, it will take at least a day for a full recovery. Keep in mind that deep discharge is not advisable for such batteries. As a rule, a couple of times will not greatly affect the performance characteristics, but after five full discharges the battery will no longer hold voltage. In addition, remember that you must monitor the charging process, because during this the electrolyte heats up and can boil away.

Attention! If the battery type is sealed, then the acid can come out only in one way - an explosion. If you notice boiling or seething, immediately disconnect from the charger.

It is not recommended to charge directly when the battery is located in the car. Only in rare cases can you turn off all power and be sure to monitor the process personally.

Advice. It is better to carry out even small recharging in a warm room. Cold temperatures can negate all your efforts to restore battery voltage.

Instructions for charging a maintenance-free battery

Now let’s look in detail at what actions a car owner needs to take to recharge his “horse” and how to charge a maintenance-free car battery. Stages of work:

Connection. Remember that it is imperative to observe the polarity of both the battery and the charger.
We determine the amount of current required; as a rule, this value is determined by this calculation as 1/10 of the battery capacity. For example, we have a battery with 12 V and 70 A/h, in which case a current is supplied that does not exceed 7 amperes. The exception is when the battery is completely drained. During such periods, charging is performed with a low current of 1-2 A.
Remember that when connecting the charger terminals to the battery, the first must be disconnected from the network.
After all the manipulations, we connect the charger to the network, set the voltage to 14 V, and the current according to your characteristics.
During the entire charging, the current will decrease, thereby indicating that full charging is approaching, at which the current, as already mentioned, will decrease to 0.2 A.
In addition, I would like to separately remind you that in the case when the battery has been completely “depleted”, it is not recommended to give the maximum permissible voltage. It is better to reduce the value to 12 V. Also control the current strength so that at the very beginning it does not exceed 1/20 of the capacity. If the latter is greater, you need to further reduce the voltage.

This video shows charging a maintenance-free battery:

Differences between maintenance-free batteries and serviced ones

The main difference between maintenance-free batteries is their internal structure, which contains electrode grids made of an alloy of calcium and lead.

In previously used serviceable batteries, antimony was added to the lead plates, which served as a lead hardener and acted as a catalyst for water in the electrolyte. With the start of using antimony and replacing it with calcium, there was no need to add water.

A maintenance-free battery is a tightly sealed battery with no access to the plates. At the factory they are filled with electrolyte and sealed tightly. This technology allows you to retain the charge for quite a long time.

However, sometimes it is still necessary to check the voltage level, which should not exceed 12.5 volts. If the indicator is lower, then the battery should be recharged. According to the manufacturers' recommendations, this should be done approximately once every six months.

The main differences between a maintenance-free battery and a serviced one:

No plugs to check the electrolyte level. If there are any, then you have a serviceable battery.
The presence of a hydrometer to check the charge level and gas outlet.
Marking on the product body indicating all characteristics: battery type, starting current and others.

The differences between these types of batteries are described in this video:

Is it possible to charge maintenance-free batteries?

This type of battery, like all others, requires periodic recharging. Another thing is that you will have to do this much less often. Calcium batteries have very low water consumption. For plates doped with calcium, the onset of hydrolysis occurs at a higher voltage, which reduces water consumption.

The very principle of charging such batteries is practically no different from charging serviced batteries, but unlike serviced batteries, it is necessary to constantly monitor the charge voltage. It is very important that it does not exceed 14.4 V.

The thing is that if this indicator is exceeded, the water will decompose into oxygen and hydrogen, which will lead to a decrease in the electrolyte level, and there is no way to add water.

How to calculate the charging time of a maintenance-free battery

Before carrying out work, it is necessary to verify the degree of discharge of the battery. For this, manufacturers have provided 2 options:

The min/max designations are located on a special window of the case. When the indicator is located in the center, the battery is fully charged.
Digital indicator. The most convenient way to determine charge. For this, 3 types of colors are used:

red - indicates the battery is completely discharged;
white - indicates that recharging is recommended;
green - indicates that the battery is in good order.

However, it should be remembered that these readings are advisory in nature, and the actual charge level may be different.

For a more accurate determination, you need to use a multimeter. A reading of 11.7 means the battery is completely discharged; 12.7 - charging 100%.

Example: if the value is 12, then the battery charge is 30% (0.1 equals 10% charge. 12 - 11.7 =0.3=30%).

When charging with direct current, you will need the battery capacity indicated in the specifications (let’s take 60 A/hour)

We calculate the charging time: 70% of 60=42. Recommended current is 10% of capacity. Here - 6 A. It is necessary to divide 42 by the recommended current of 6 A (42/6 = 7). Time to full charge is 7 hours.

The charging time of the battery directly depends on the degree of discharge. With a completely “empty” battery, the time to fully charge can range from a day to 30 hours. If partial discharge is involved, then the time is reduced to 4-5 hours. Depending on the charger model, you may have to monitor the process, since full charging is achieved at a current reading of 0.2 A.

Important! For this type of battery, complete discharge is not recommended, as this sharply reduces the service life.

What happens if you recharge a maintenance-free battery?

The consequences of such a step can be very serious:

Boiling electrolyte corrodes internal parts.
The acid oxidizes the terminals, forming a coating.
The electrolyte escapes from the battery, destroying the plates, which leads to complete destruction of the battery.
The battery may explode.

But there is also good news. Currently, to prevent severe consequences, manufacturers have begun producing batteries that have a special valve inside designed to relieve pressure in extreme situations. In any case, overcharging the battery can lead to complete failure of the product.

A maintenance-free battery requires constant recharging. This is necessary to maintain all vehicle systems in working order. With proper care and proper use, the battery will not require replacement and will last its intended life.

At the end I would like to summarize the article. We have carefully analyzed the initial question - how to charge a maintenance-free car battery and now we know not only the detailed plan, but also the features and characteristics of the battery. Pay attention to the features of your specific battery and select a charger for it accordingly.

Useful video

This video explains how to properly charge a maintenance-free battery using CA/CA technology:

How to charge a severely discharged battery to restore its functions

During operation of a lead-acid starter battery, a nuisance such as a deep discharge can occur. It can happen due to a working radio that they forgot to turn off. The battery may also be discharged due to prolonged parking of the car. The reason may be a malfunction in the on-board network, due to which the battery is not charged from the generator during the trip or this charge is insufficient. In any case, no matter what causes the battery to drain, you need to correct the situation. What to do will be discussed in this article.

Using special features of some chargers

If the starter Pb battery has experienced a deep discharge and the voltage at the current terminals has dropped below 10 volts, then it can be brought back into working condition. Of course, some of the capacity will be lost, but the battery will be able to perform its functions in the future. One of the easiest recovery methods is to use the pre-charge function on some chargers (chargers).

How does “Precharge” differ from the standard battery charging scheme? If you charge a heavily discharged battery in normal mode with a constant current of 0.1 * C, the plates will begin to get very hot. In the “Precharge” mode, current is supplied periodically after certain pauses. And the current value itself must be set less than in standard mode. Before charging, remove the plugs (if the battery is serviceable) and check the electrolyte level. If the plates are exposed, add distilled water.

The settings in memory models from different manufacturers may be different, but in most cases it is possible to set the following parameters.

The voltage at which “precharge” ends. This is usually 12 volts. As soon as this voltage is maintained during a pause without current supply, the precharge mode is turned off.
Charge current. You can set it 2-3 times lower than in standard mode. Let's say the battery is 66 Ah. Standard current is 6.6 amperes. In precharge mode, set it to 2.2─3.3 amperes.
Duration of current supply. Usually 5-6 seconds.
Pause duration. Usually 2-3 seconds.

If charging allows, then set the voltage value at which the charging current will begin to decrease. And also set the shutter speed to 2-3 hours at maximum voltage. It is advisable to carry out the charge in current pulses, alternating them with pauses (in time they should be approximately 2 to 1).

After this, the battery must be allowed to settle until the “boiling” stops and the density must be measured again.
She must grow up. If it again does not reach 1.27 g/cm3, then you can discharge it to 12 volts and recharge it with holding at maximum voltage. This should give an increase in density and its uniform distribution throughout the battery volume. Return to content

What is the alternative?

Not everyone has advanced chargers. However, people now have a lot of different gadgets and some purchase universal chargers that allow them to charge different types of batteries. Including lead-acid. A restorative charge can be made with their help. It is quite possible that there is a special mode for this, but ample settings allow you to select it manually. At least, it is possible to set a small current of 0.03*C─0.1*C and trigger when a certain voltage is reached in them.

How to properly charge a battery - useful tips “Behind the Wheel”

Filling a jar with electricity is an expression from V.I. Dahl’s dictionary: this is how he explained the meaning of the word “charge.” It fits perfectly into modern six-cell car batteries. True, the banks turn out to be different - both in design and in condition. How to fill them with electricity?

All batteries can be divided into low-maintenance, maintenance-free and completely maintenance-free. The oldest of them are low-maintenance, with gratings made of lead-antimony alloy, the coolest are completely maintenance-free, with gratings made of the purest lead. It should be noted that “maintenance-free” means extended intervals for adding water or the complete absence of this procedure throughout the entire service life. But any maintenance-free battery requires periodic monitoring along with other car components. Contrary to popular belief, there is no significant difference in charging these three types of batteries.

Should I charge it or not?

Is it possible to charge in the cold?

How to charge when traveling infrequently?

Charger or generator – which charges better?

Under normal operating conditions, a charger is not needed. The battery must be charged from the generator. And a charge at a constant voltage of a working car is the most correct and useful for the battery.

The task of a stationary charger is to restore the battery, albeit not completely, but enough for the generator to recharge to 100%. When charging with direct current, in order to avoid overcharging and “boil-off”, that is, the consumption of water from the electrolyte, the stationary charger interrupts operation at a level of 14.4 V, switching to recharging mode with a minimum current during storage. This usually prevents the battery from being fully charged. And the generator charges it in constant voltage mode.

Depending on the settings of the vehicle's power supply system, the voltage regulation range is 13.8–14.5 V. The charge current is determined by the internal resistance of the battery, which characterizes its current state, and decreases as the voltage at the battery terminals approaches the generator voltage. That is, a stationary charger produces a specific current in accordance with its algorithm, and the battery takes the current it needs from the generator. This is why a charger cannot charge as well as a generator.

What should the charge mode be?

When the NRC drops below 10.5 V, this is already an ultra-deep discharge. If the battery is drained in a short time, it can be quickly charged with a high current of 10–20 A (10% of the rated capacity) from a stationary device within a few hours. If the battery was chronically undercharged and died slowly, the charge must be started with a minimum current at a constant voltage. To do this you will have to contact a specialized service.

Should I remove the battery from the car to charge it?

Can I “light up” from another car?

Opinions on this matter often differ, but the debate is only about the safety of the vehicle’s electrical equipment and its compliance with the operating instructions. One thing is certain: the battery will definitely not be damaged! In our opinion, “lighting” is safe if a simple scheme is followed: we connect the positive terminals of the donor and acceptor to each other, and place the negative terminal of the donor on the body of the “lighting” car.

The editors would like to thank Dmitry Tishchenko, an expert from the National Association of Power Source Manufacturers, for his assistance in preparing the material.

The assortment of the Za Rulem online store includes inexpensive and time-tested chargers from the Tambov plant. A great gift for yourself and a fellow car enthusiast!