A majority of people know that a car battery is constantly charged by the vehicle’s electrical system. There’s really no reason to pull the battery out for any other purpose. However, car batteries are also used for other purposes outside of a standard vehicle. Knowing how to charge the battery without a charger is the challenge now. Recharge car battery components with ease by following these simple instructions.
Collect the Parts
Before you search online for “charge car battery without charger,” think about the safety factor first. Dealing with a car battery means that there’s significant voltage and current running through the terminals.
Collect these items together, such as:
- Protective eyewear
- Sturdy gloves
- Wire probes with clips
- Three, holiday lights
All of these items will help you recharge car battery components with safety as a top priority. The holiday light or light bulbs are also safety tools because the illumination provides cues for current control.
Choose Your Power Supply
There must be a power supply in some form so that a slow charge car battery process can occur. Think about the energy reserves that you have handy. There might be a power supply on a technician’s bench. A DIYer can have these devices too.
Another battery that’s at least the same voltage as the car battery will work too. Be sure that the power source is reliable. A dead battery will create charging frustrations.
Check the Output Power
Ideally, you want to slow charge car battery components if you’re without a charger. The trickle effect ensures that the battery doesn’t overcharge, fume or outright explode. Because of these volatile conditions, Battery University suggests always monitoring a charging session.
Check your output power on the power source by using your wire probes. Verify the voltage and current. While you have the probes out, check the voltage on the questionable car battery. You’ll have an idea of how long the charging session will take with these values in mind.
Add the Lights
Place the power source and battery as far away as possible from each other, instructs Pep Boys. This spacing is where to charge car battery components in a safe manner. Otherwise, a spark might form between the two devices.
Connect three, holiday lights between the power source and car battery. These lights give you a visual cue that current is flowing. They also draw down the intense current so that you have an effective charger that solely trickles.
Connect the Clips
You’re ready to connect the power source, lights and car battery together. Be sure to place the setup in an area away from other people. Where to charge car battery components is a key part of staying safe. Connect the negative clip to the power source first. Complete the circuit by attaching the other negative clip to the car battery. Repeat this process with the positive side. Power should be flowing at this point.
Watch the Setup
Remember that you’ll only be trickling power through this setup. The car battery may only gain a few volts from 10 or 20 minutes of charging. You can check the progress with a multimeter attached at the battery’s terminals.
The holiday lights should be illuminated with just a little bit of heat on their exterior surfaces. If they get excessively hot or bright, there’s too much power running to the battery. Disconnecting and troubleshooting the setup is the best course of action now.
Remove and Verify Power
After about 30 minutes, remove power from the battery by releasing the negative clip first and positive clip afterward. Use your multimeter to verify the battery’s voltage without the load.
It’s not necessary to charge the battery up to 12 volts. Overcharging might be part of the scenario. It’s best to charge it to a partial state so that no harm to the battery or yourself occurs.