How to charge the vehicle's battery

Layfhaker explains what side to approach the battery discharge, as well as what and, more importantly, how to load it.

No matter how the village AKB: Did you forget to pay off dimensions, too much attention to listening to music in the car park or leaving for the summer vacation. To charge the battery, you need to have an understanding of the theory and follow a few simple rules.

A bit of theory

The vehicles are mostly used lead-acid batteries (WET). Their principle of operation is based on a chemical reaction with the electrolyte lead plates, which resulted in the electricity produced. Over time, sulfation occurs inevitably and fracture plates, and the electrolyte to boil off, due to which the battery capacity decreases. And the battery can be discharged at the most inopportune moment.

How to check the battery

The easiest way to use the built-in battery indicator, which is in most rechargeable batteries. This is the same "light", which actually is not no light, and the green ball-float moving in a transparent flask. At a sufficient level and electrolyte density ball rises and we see a green indicator. If the float is not visible, you need to check the electrolyte and recharge the battery.

Another option - a multimeter. With it you can measure the voltage at the terminals and understand the battery is low or not. On a fully charged battery should be 12.6 or more. Voltage 12.42 B corresponds to 80% charge, 12.2 V - 60% 11.9 B - 40% B 11.58 - 20% 10.5 - 0%.

The most reliable way is to check the load fork. It can show the voltage drop under load, that is the real charge level and therefore the capacity. Such a device is at any electrics or in a store that sells batteries. And for this check you will most likely not even take money.

How to prepare a battery to be charged

Having determined that the battery is really exhausted, You are ready to charge, but first you need to prepare.

1. Battery is desirable to remove from the machine. If you do not have time, unplug it from the on-board network by disconnecting the negative lead.
2. Then you need to clean the terminals with grease and oxides for good contact.
3. It will not prevent the battery wipe the surface with a dry cloth, and better - dipped in a 10 percent solution of ammonia or soda ash.
4. Also, be sure to unscrew plug on each of the battery cans or remove the cap to ensure free access of electrolyte vapors and prevent overpressure inside.
5. If the electrolyte level in some of the jars is not enough, you need to top up with distilled water to completely cover the plate.

How to charge the battery

The principle of charging is simple: it is necessary only in accordance with the polarity of the battery terminals connected to the wires from the charger and insert the plug into the socket. However, to get started is to decide on the charging method. There are two main methods: direct current charging and constant voltage charging.

The first effective, but takes place in several stages and requires monitoring. Second simpler, but only provides charging the battery to 80%.

There are still so-called combined method, in which participation by the motorist is minimized. The disadvantage of this method need special charger with a fairly high cost.

Charging DC

1. Set current of 10% of the nominal battery capacity and charge up until the voltage at the terminals of the battery rises to 14,3-14,4 V. For example, the battery capacity of 60 Ah need charging current less than 6 A.
2. Further reduce the current in two times (3 A), to reduce the intensity of the boiling and continue charging.
3. Once the voltage rises to 15 V, the current must be reduced again twice and charge the battery until the moment when the voltage and current values ​​stop changing.

Charging the DC voltage

Everything is much simpler. It is only necessary to set the voltage in the range 14,4-14,5 in and wait. Unlike the first method, by which to charge the battery completely within a few hours (about 10), the charging DC voltage lasts for about a day and allows you to make up the battery capacity only up 80%.

Precautionary measures

Since the battery charging - a chemical process in which the released explosive mixture of hydrogen and oxygen must be very careful to follow the rules:

1. Charge the battery in a well ventilated area.
2. Do not use open flame and do not carry out any work on the formation of sparks.
3. If you can not remove the battery from the machine, disconnect the negative lead, and preferably both.