While the power plant of the car is idle, the on-board network is powered from an external power source - a car battery. Also, by means of the electric power of the battery, the start of the power plant is also carried out.
Any motorist should know how and how to charge the battery of his car
The need to properly charge the car battery
But the battery does not generate energy to power the network, it only stores it in itself, gives it away if necessary, and then restores its charge from.
The charge-discharge cycle does not benefit the battery itself, over time its charge decreases, that is, the battery is slowly discharged, it is not possible to completely restore the amount of energy from the generator, in the end the battery charge will no longer be enough to start the motor. In this case, the question arises sharply: how to charge the car battery. This operation is performed by chargers. But before describing the process of charging a battery, let's figure out what kind of batteries are on cars, their main parameters that are taken into account when recharging, types of chargers, the principle of their operation, the rules for charging a car battery and what should not be done when performing an operation.
Video: Battery explosion
All batteries are structurally similar. There is a set of plates that play the role of electrodes, some are positive, others are negative. In order for a chemical reaction to occur between the plates, as a result of which electricity is released, the space between the plates is filled with electrolyte. Depending on the type of battery, either an acid solution with water or an alkali solution with water acts as an electrolyte.
Types of batteries
The following types of batteries are used on cars: acid, alkaline and gel. There is another type of battery - lithium-ion, but due to their characteristics, these batteries cannot start the engine, so they are used in cars so far only as an additional battery.
This is how a car battery works
In acid batteries, the electrodes are made of lead, which contains additional impurities. Lead as an electrode material is used because this material has a good energy capacity and can deliver high currents in a short period of time. The electrolyte in these batteries is an acid solution. These are the most common batteries that are used in a car.
Alkaline batteries have nickel-cadmium or nickel-iron plates instead of lead. And the space between them is filled with a solution of caustic potassium. These batteries are not often used in passenger cars, since their current strength is lower than that of acid ones.
Appeared relatively recently. In fact, this is the same acid battery, only its electrolyte is brought into a jelly-like state. These batteries are promising, but a number of technological features of these batteries do not allow them to be widely used, and they are not solid.
In addition, batteries are also divided into serviced and unattended. Acid batteries are serviceable only. And all because during a chemical reaction, part of the water from the solution evaporates. In order for the electrolyte to have the appropriate density, it is periodically necessary to check the state of the electrolyte and, if necessary, add water.
Water for topping up the battery is used only distilled.
Gel batteries are maintenance-free. They have a sealed housing. During a chemical reaction, water does not evaporate from them. Therefore, topping up is not required.
Types of chargers for charging the battery
In the future, we will consider the correct charging of the battery using the example of common acid batteries. But for now let's go through the chargers.
Battery charger
Any charger is a power converter. The simplest charger circuit (charger) is a step-down transformer and a diode bridge. The principle of operation is as follows: the alternating voltage of the network 220 V, passing through the transformer and the diode bridge, is converted into a constant voltage of 14-15 V, which is required to charge the battery.
Often, additional control sensors are included in the design of the charger - ammeters and voltmeters, voltage and current regulators, fuses. Although there are also chargers in which the current and voltage for each battery are selected automatically.
Something else useful for you:
Features of car battery charging
Before you charge your car battery, there are a few things to consider when charging your car battery.
- The most optimal current for charging the battery is 10% of the nominal energy capacity of the battery. That is, with a battery energy capacity of 60 Ah, the current strength should not exceed 6 A.
- The optimal voltage at the charger terminals is + 10% of the nominal voltage of a fully charged battery. For example, a fully charged battery has a terminal voltage of 12.6 V. 10% of the nominal voltage is 1.26 V, add it to 12.6 V and get the optimal voltage of 13.86 V.
- It is possible to quickly charge the battery. Such charging is carried out with currents of large values \u200b\u200b- 20-30 A. But such charging damages the battery, so it is better to refrain from such charging.
- When charging a gel battery, it is important not to exceed the critical voltage for such a battery, which is usually 14.2 V.
These are the main criteria that are taken into account in order to properly charge a car battery. Let's proceed directly to how to charge the car battery.
Preparatory work
First you need to make sure that the battery is really discharged. To do this, it must be removed from a niche in the car. In addition to the natural discharge of the battery due to its operation, the cause of the discharge may be damage to the battery case, as a result of which the electrolyte has leaked out and the chemical reaction does not take place in it. Therefore, after removing it, it must be cleaned of dust, dirt, and the battery case should be carefully inspected. If there is a crack and electrolyte leaked out through it, such a battery can no longer be used.
To determine whether the battery is discharged, you can use the color indicator, which is often installed on the housing cover. The colors in the indicator can be different, so you should pay attention to the sticker with an explanation, which is usually pasted next to the indicator.
You can also check the state of charge of the battery by the voltage at the terminals. To do this, you can use the usual tester. With a discharged battery, the voltage will be lower than the nominal voltage.
Before you charge the car battery, you should also check the electrolyte. Through the filler plugs, you can monitor the state and amount of electrolyte; in the normal state, the electrolyte must be clean, transparent and free of impurities, and its level must be above the plates. At a lower level, you need to add distillate.
You should also check the vent hole in the battery cover. It must not be clogged, otherwise the fumes will not come out.
How to charge a car battery? Charging process
Then you can directly charge the battery. An important point is the evaporation of the electrolyte during recharging, so you should not do this in a residential building. Also, first connect the charger to the battery, and only then to the network. You need to carefully consider the correct connection of the charger to the battery, otherwise, if connected incorrectly, the fuses of the charger will fail.
Video: How to charge a car battery
The process of charging the battery with a charger is carried out in two ways.:
- in the first method, charging is performed at a constant voltage value, usually this value is 14-16 V. And the current strength is a variable value. At the beginning of charging, the current strength is large, it can reach 25-30 A, but as the charging progresses, the current strength decreases.
- in the second method, the current strength is constant, and the voltage varies. This method is more complicated, and you need to fully know how to properly charge a car battery with this charge.
Charging a car battery with a charger that uses the constant voltage method is easy. It is enough to set the current strength with the regulator at the level of 10% of the energy intensity of the batteries. As you recharge, the current will drop. A signal that the battery has fully restored its charge will be lowering the ammeter needle to “0”. Usually, it takes 10-13 hours to fully recharge with such a current strength.
Recharging with a DC charger is more complicated and you need to know how to charge a car battery with a DC charger. Since this device has a current strength parameter, at the beginning of charging, a current strength of 10% of the energy intensity is set. With such a current, the battery is charged to a voltage of 14 V, after which the current should be reduced by half and charged with such a current to a voltage of 15 V, after which the current should be halved. The signal of a full charge of the battery will be the retention of the voltage indicator at the same level in the indicator for an hour.
Battery voltage test
After charging, if possible, check the voltage at the battery terminals by using a load plug. If it is not there, you can make sure that the battery is fully charged by installing it on the car. A charged battery should “briskly” turn the starter and start the power plant. In principle, that's all you need and it's important to know to charge your car's battery.
It's no secret that one of the most important and indispensable components of every car is the battery. Improper operation of the battery is accompanied by various failures in its operation, which often lead to damage to other important systems. To avoid such troubles, you need to ask in advance how to charge the battery at home.
general information
Trying to understand how to charge the battery, you need to carefully familiarize yourself with its device, the principle of operation and the existing types. This will allow you to find a suitable charging method, as well as accurately restore the car's battery charge.
So, many car models are equipped with lead-acid type batteries. They are a design of six jars placed in a plastic case with reliable isolation from environmental influences. The body material is characterized by specific properties that make it invulnerable to acid attacks.
The containers are connected to each other in a sequential manner, since each of them contains electrodes with opposite charges (negative and positive).
Such elements are hidden in a liquid electrolyte, but as the battery is used, they become faulty, which reduces the capacity of the node. This then causes rapid loss of charge and other battery problems.
Existing types
There are two types of batteries available on the market. These include:
- Models to be serviced.
- Maintenance free structures.
Representatives of the first type are equipped with jars with screw caps. This means that the owner of the vehicle can independently restore the electrolyte level or replace a low-quality composition with a better one. However, it is strictly forbidden to start such a procedure without experience and skills, because this can lead to battery failure.
To prevent this, it is enough to contact a specialist and entrust the task in his hands. The service is inexpensive, but in most cases it completely restores the battery. Maintenance-free models are made in a different way - they do not have removable covers. This means that the possibility of repair and resuscitation is completely excluded.
Some car owners add purified water to the battery in an attempt to increase the electrolyte level. It is not recommended to do this, except in special cases, for example, when the car is stopped in a remote area from the city. To check the current volume of liquid, you need to remove the caps and look at the external state of the jars. If the electrolyte is below the electrodes, refilling is a must. When restoring the liquid level, you need to make sure that it is the same in all jars.
Experts advise refusing to fill in water or electrolyte without the necessary experience and skills. Before starting such work, you need to evaluate the quality and level of the liquid using a special device. If the option of using water is considered, then you need to use only distilled water and pour it in small portions.
Varieties of chargers
Depending on the principle of operation, there are several types of chargers. When interested in how to charge a battery, it is important to know how they differ and how they work. According to the type of charge, devices are divided into:
Checking the condition of the battery
Before you start charging the car battery, you need to assess its condition. Various methods and devices are used for verification:
It's no secret that car alternators are not able to return the full level of charge, but they do it only by 60%. As a result, fully charging the battery is a must and should be done at least once a season, before the onset of cold weather.
If you have a hydrometric indicator, you need to regularly look at its readings. The need for urgent battery charging can be indicated by the slow rotation of the starter during start-up.
Charging process
Having figured out how to charge a car battery, it remains to study the safety precautions in detail and read the step-by-step instructions. Given the fact that sulfuric acid is present in batteries, it is better to carry out charging work in a safe room with good ventilation and a temperature regime of +10 degrees Celsius.
It is possible to restore the charge level without removing the battery, but provided that the ambient temperature is kept at a positive mark. If you charge the battery in cold weather, this will reduce the efficiency of the entire process, and will also lead to freezing of the liquid in the banks. Therefore, in order to successfully charge the battery in winter, it is important to bring it into a warm garage.
Before starting charging, you need to do a little preparation by wiping the device with a soda solution. This process will get rid of the acid residue that often accumulates on the battery case. To prepare the composition, you need to take one tablespoon of soda and dilute it in a glass of liquid. During cleaning, the solution will sizzle, indicating the presence of acidic residues.
Having completed the removal of the battery from the vehicle, you can begin to unscrew the caps on the jars, and then put them on top to start the process of electrolyte evaporation without splashing. In addition, it is necessary to conduct a visual assessment of the liquid level. If it is normal, the plates will be immersed by about half a centimeter.
It is also important to familiarize yourself with the condition of the jars in the neighborhood. It is important that they have the same volume of electrolyte. If this is not the case, you will have to add distilled water to the tank. When working with a maintenance-free battery, this action is not necessary.
Connecting the device
When connecting the device to charge the battery, it is important to follow the polarity. The corresponding terminal of the charger is connected to the terminal with a plus (+) value. If you do not take this fact into account and choose the wrong polarity, this will entail various troubles, including a short circuit and complete damage to the battery. Therefore, before starting the charging process, you should make sure that the terminals are connected correctly. Color markings are used to distinguish polarity. For example, an element with a plus value can be colored red, and a negative value can be black.
To evenly distribute the electric charge across the plates, it is necessary to charge the battery with small currents. This will prevent possible overheating of the liquid in the jars, and will also make charging as productive as possible. When performing such a task, it is necessary to use the current strength at the level of 1/10 of the capacity.
If the charger is not equipped with any levers and is automatic, unfortunately, it will not be possible to change the mode and make your own changes. Often, such models have special light indicators indicating the current stage of charging. When fully charged, the green light should turn on.
If an ammeter is installed in the charger, then charging can be considered completed after lowering the arrow to zero. The duration is determined by the applied current. If you need urgent charging, it is recommended to use high currents, however, this will reduce the battery life. If there is no need to hurry, it is better to charge the system with small currents. In this mode, the whole process will take about 8 hours.
Upon completion, it remains to disconnect the charging terminals, tighten the caps and re-wipe the surface of the device with a soda solution. During charging, droplets of liquid electrolyte will settle on the case, and if they are not removed, this will increase the risk of current leakage, which will lead to rapid discharge. Unfortunately, 80 percent of drivers do not even know about this, and then they are interested in the reasons for the rapid loss of battery capacity.
Alternative ways
If the battery has been discharged, but there is no way to charge it with a special device, you can find alternative ways out of the situation. These include the following charging methods:
When figuring out how to charge a car battery, it is important to follow all the tips and follow the instructions. Also, do not forget about safety, otherwise it can lead to irreparable consequences.
First of all, you need to take care of the safety of the eyes and mucous membranes, which are afraid of exposure to sulfuric acid. It is important to remember that the substance from the battery jars is characterized by a toxic composition and any interaction with open parts of the body can end in failure. Care must be taken to prevent this.
After completing the installation and removal of the battery, it is important to wash your hands thoroughly. Also, the charging process is best carried out in a space with good ventilation. When choosing a charger, you should give preference to proven models from well-known brands, taking into account the recommendations of the battery manufacturer. In this case, the device will serve its owner faithfully and for a long time, and any failures in its operation will be practically excluded.
If you ask a similar question to anyone who has at least some idea about a car and a battery, you can get the most detailed advice. For some reason, many believe that this question is so trifling that it is even a shame not to know. However, statistics show that more than half of the batteries do not withstand the service life declared by the Manufacturer and they have to be replaced prematurely with new ones.
And the main reason is improper charging during the operational period. Let's figure out how to still charge the battery, and do it CORRECTLY.
Let's clarify one point right away. It is believed that if the car's generator runs smoothly, and the car is used regularly, then this is quite enough to maintain the proper battery charge level. This opinion is fundamentally wrong, and here's why. According to its technical characteristics, the generator is not able to provide 100% charging, that is, the battery will be partially charged all the time, which significantly reduces its service life.
Remove battery from car
Often, motorists neglect this and charge the battery without removing it from the car. But in vain, and here's why.
Firstly, the battery needs a systematic inspection, and from all sides, and not just from above. Electrolyte splashing is possible (corrosion of the “landing” socket frame will appear), a crack in the case (the result of constant vibration and unreliable fixation at the location).
Secondly, the product must be cleaned of dirt and dust. The fact is that the “plaque” formed on the case between the terminals is conductive, which means that the degree of self-discharge of the battery increases, which negatively affects its service life.
Therefore, before putting the battery on charge, it should be serviced. Accumulated dirt, in which acid is present, is good to collect with a swab dipped in a weak soda solution. If foaming occurs, this indicates that not all acid has been removed from the surface of the housing.
By the way, the terminals also need periodic maintenance, since lead oxidizes, and therefore more current is required when starting the engine, which leads to increased battery discharge.
If, nevertheless, the battery is charged at the installation site, then suitable (network) wires must be removed from its terminals.
Remove corks from jars
The need for their maintenance should also not be forgotten. In the center of each there is a small through hole through which the products of gas formation, which occurs during operation, are removed. If it is clogged with dirt, then the accumulated gas can simply break the case.
In addition, you need to make sure that the electrolyte level is normal. If necessary, add water (distilled).
Connect charger terminals
Here you need to pay attention to the polarity. "Plus" is connected to the "+" of the battery, "negative" - to the "-".
Charging process
This largely depends on the type of device. However, many motorists prefer to produce it manually. The current is set to the maximum (depending on the nominal capacity of the battery), and as the voltage decreases, it is added.
It should be noted right away that a lot depends on how the battery is operated, to what extent it is discharged, how often the owner puts it on charge from an external device. The "quality" of the car's generator also affects.
The most optimal is the mode of charging with small currents. More on this below. It remains to add that it is necessary to systematically control this process. Sometimes a motorist simply puts the battery on charge and leaves for several hours. This is fraught with the fact that the battery can be charged earlier (and the process of recharging will begin) or even “reset” the current to a minimum. Then you have to increase it and still wait for a full charge to occur.
With what we now know, we can answer some common questions that beginner motorists have.
How do you know the battery is fully charged?
The voltage at its terminals can be different (from 14.5 to 16.1 V). It depends on many components (electrolyte density, capacitance, and a number of others). The main criterion is the constancy of the output voltage at its terminals with the ongoing charging process for 1 hour. It is measured by any type of voltmeter, regardless of its accuracy class.
Is it possible to charge at a negative air temperature?
Yes, since an electrolyte with the proper density never freezes. Example - the car is operated not only in summer, but also in winter, and, nevertheless, recharging from the generator is not interrupted.
Do I need to disconnect the battery from the on-board network when charging from an external source?
Necessarily. Quite often, the battery is put on charge without removing it from the installation site. But here it must be taken into account that any electronic device can be connected to the network, even with the ignition off and the "ground". There are so many different features of engineering solutions in modern car models that it is impossible to foresee everything, especially since not all Manufacturers describe in detail such nuances in the documentation for a “car”. Therefore, it is better not to take risks and play it safe, otherwise a larger than expected “voltage” of the charger can damage something.
How often should the battery be recharged if it is removed from the car?
Many motorists do not operate their "iron horses" in the winter. A zealous owner removes the battery for this time and stores it separately, in a warm room. But any device, characterized by such a parameter as electric capacitance, gradually self-discharges.
Naturally, the electrolyte begins to react to low temperatures, and in a discharged state, in a cold room, the banks can simply freeze. Such a battery is no longer subject to recovery. By the way, that is why it is necessary to remove it for the winter and put it in “warmth”. Recommendations for the frequency of recharging vary. In order not to be mistaken, it should be done about once every 3 months (provided that the battery is stored at a positive temperature).
If the battery is not removed from the car, and it is not in use, then you need to charge it more often - once every 1.5 - 2 months. This is due to the fact that it is possible to increase the self-discharge current through the on-board network. And if the wires are removed from the terminals, but it is cold in the garage, then at least 1 time in 2 weeks. So more reliable.
What current to set and how long to charge?
There is such a criterion that is applicable to all types of batteries - the value of the charging current is 10% of the nominal capacity of the product. The most common batteries are 45 A / h (for passenger cars). Therefore, the optimal charge current is 4.5 A. If the discharge is complete, then at least 12 - 15 hours. In other cases - until fully charged. How to determine above.
Since it is impossible to determine the degree of rarefaction “by eye”, then if the battery is not completely discharged, experts recommend using the “sparing” mode, that is, setting the current 2 times less than the calculated one (for example, instead of 4.5 A, set 2.5). Naturally, it will take more time to charge, but the service life of the product will also increase.
Sometimes, to reduce the charge time, motorists specifically give increased current. Yes, it will charge the battery faster. But at the same time, it is not taken into account that the chemical processes occurring in this case begin to proceed more intensively, and this entails an increase in the temperature of the electrolyte. Overheating the battery significantly reduces its shelf life.
Experienced motorists prefer such a “technology” - a current of about half an ampere, and let it “worth it”. Although longer, it is quite safe for the battery. In this case, charging is achieved 100 percent.
It remains to add that if you do not allow the systematic discharge of the battery to a critical minimum (10.5 V), then the product will reliably serve not only 5 guaranteed years, but even more. The normal density of the electrolyte within the normal range is 1.25 - 1.27; voltage at the terminals - depending on the type of battery.
Autonomous power sources - rechargeable batteries, are seen in modern technologies as an integral element of almost any project. For automotive technology, the battery is also a constructive part, without which the full operation of vehicles is unthinkable. The general usefulness of batteries is obvious. But technologically, these devices are still not completely perfect. For example, a clear imperfection is marked by a frequent charge of batteries. Of course, the question is relevant here, what voltage to charge the battery in order to reduce the frequency of recharging and preserve all its working properties for a long service life?
To thoroughly understand the intricacies of the processes of charging / discharging lead-acid batteries ( automotive) will help determine the basic parameters of batteries:
- capacity,
- electrolyte concentration,
- discharge current,
- electrolyte temperature,
- self-discharge effect.
Under the capacity of the battery, the electricity given off by each individual battery bank in the process of its discharge is taken. As a rule, the capacitance value is expressed in ampere-hours (Ah).
On the battery case for a car, not only the nominal capacity is indicated, but also the starter current when starting the car on a cold one. Marking example - battery manufactured by the Tyumen plant The battery discharge capacity, indicated on the technical tag by the manufacturer, is considered a nominal parameter. In addition to this figure, the charge capacity parameter is also significant for operation. The required charge value is calculated by the formula:
Cz \u003d Iz * Tz
where: Iz - charging current; Tz is the charging time.
The figure indicating the discharge capacity of the battery is directly related to other technological and design parameters and depends on the operating conditions. Of the structural and technological properties of the battery, the discharge capacity is affected by:
- active mass,
- the electrolyte used
- electrode thickness,
- geometric dimensions of the electrodes.
Among the technological parameters that are significant for the battery capacity is also the degree of porosity of active materials and the recipe for their preparation.
The internal structure of a lead-acid car battery, which includes the so-called active materials - plates of negative and positive fields, as well as other components Operational factors are not left out. As practice shows, the strength of the discharge current paired with the electrolyte can also affect the battery capacity parameter.
Effect of electrolyte concentration
Excessive electrolyte levels will shorten battery life. The operating conditions of a battery with a high concentration of electrolyte lead to an activation of the reaction, which results in the formation of corrosion on the positive electrode of the battery.
Therefore, it is important to optimize the value, taking into account the conditions in which the battery is operated and the requirements imposed by the manufacturer in relation to such conditions.
Optimization of the electrolyte concentration of the battery is seen as one of the important points in the operation of the device. Concentration control is essential For example, for conditions with a temperate climate, the recommended level of electrolyte concentration for most car batteries is adjusted to a density of 1.25 - 1.28 g / cm 2.
And when the operation of devices is relevant in relation to a hot climate, the electrolyte concentration should correspond to a density of 1.22 - 1.24 g / cm 2.
Batteries - discharge current
The process of battery discharge can be logically divided into two modes:
- Long.
- Short.
The first event is characterized by a discharge at low currents over a relatively long time period (from 5 to 24 hours).
For the second event (short discharge, starter discharge), on the contrary, large currents in a short time interval (seconds, minutes) are characteristic.
An increase in the discharge current provokes a decrease in the capacity of the battery.
Charger Teletron, which has been successfully used to work with lead-acid car batteries. Simple electronic circuit, but high performance Example:
There is a battery with a capacity of 55 A / h with a working current at the terminals of 2.75A. Under normal environmental conditions (plus 25-26ºС), the battery capacity is in the range of 55-60 A / h.
If the battery is discharged with a short-term current of 255 A, which is equivalent to an increase in the rated capacity by 4.6 times, the rated capacity will decrease to 22 A / h. That is, almost twice.
Electrolyte temperature and battery self-discharge
The discharge capacity of rechargeable batteries naturally decreases if the temperature of the electrolyte drops. A drop in the temperature of the electrolyte entails an increase in the degree of viscosity of the liquid component. As a result, the electrical resistance of the active substance increases.
Disconnected from the consumer, completely inactive, has the ability to lose capacity. This phenomenon is explained by chemical reactions inside the device, which take place even in conditions of complete disconnection from the load.
Under the influence of redox reactions, both electrodes fall - minus and plus. But to a greater extent, the process of self-discharge covers the electrode of negative polarity.
The reaction is accompanied by the formation of hydrogen in gaseous form. With an increase in the concentration of sulfuric acid in the electrolyte solution, an increase in the density of the electrolyte from a value of 1.27 g/cm 3 to 1.32 g/cm 3 is noted.
This is commensurate with a 40% increase in the rate of self-discharge effect at the negative electrode. An increase in the self-discharge rate is also given by metal impurities included in the structure of the negative polarity electrode.
Self-discharge of a car battery after prolonged storage. With complete inactivity, in the absence of load, the battery has lost a significant part of its capacity It should be noted: any metals present in the composition of the electrolyte and other components of the batteries contribute to the enhancement of the self-discharge effect.
In contact with the surface of the negative electrode, these metals cause a reaction, as a result of which the evolution of hydrogen begins.
Some of the existing impurities act as a charge carrier from the positive electrode to the negative one. In this case, the reactions of reduction and oxidation of metal ions take place (that is, again, the process of self-discharge).
There are also cases when the battery loses its charge from pollution on the case. Due to pollution, a conductive layer is created that closes the positive and negative electrodes In addition to internal self-discharge, external self-discharge of the car battery is not excluded. The reason for this phenomenon may be a high degree of contamination of the surface of the battery case.
For example, electrolyte spilled on the case, water or other technical liquids. But in this case, the self-discharge effect is easily eliminated. It is enough just to clean the battery case and keep it always clean.
Charging car batteries
Let's start from the situation of inactivity of the device (in the off state). What voltage or current should be used to charge the car battery when the device is in storage?
Under battery storage conditions, the main purpose of charging is to compensate for self-discharge. In this case, charging is usually carried out with small currents.
The charge value range is typically 25 to 100 mA. In this case, the charge voltage must be maintained within the limits of 2.18 - 2.25 volts in relation to a single battery bank.
Selecting battery charging conditions
The charging current of the battery is usually adjusted to a certain value depending on the set recharge time.
Preparing a car battery for recharging in a mode that needs to be determined taking into account the technological properties and technical parameters during battery operation So, if it is supposed to charge the battery for 20 hours, the optimal parameter of the charge current is a value equal to 0.05C (that is, 5% of the nominal battery capacity).
Accordingly, the values will increase proportionally if one of the parameters is changed. For example, with a 10-hour charge, the current strength will already be 0.1C.
Charging with a two-stage cycle
In this mode, initially (the first stage) a charge is carried out with a current of 1.5C until the voltage on a separate bank reaches a value of 2.4 volts.
After that, the charger is switched to the charge current mode of 0.1C and continues to be charged until the capacity is fully set 2 - 2.5 hours (second stage).
The charge voltage in the second stage mode varies between 2.5 - 2.7 volts for one can.
Boost charge mode
The principle of forced charging involves setting the value of the charging current at the level of 95% of the nominal battery capacity - 0.95C.
The method is quite aggressive, but allows you to charge the battery almost completely in just 2.5-3 hours (in practice, 90%). Up to 100% capacity, boost charging will take 4-5 hours.
Control training cycle
The practice of operating automotive batteries notes a positive result when the control-training cycle is applied to new batteries that have not yet been in operation. For this option, charging with parameters calculated by a simple formula is optimal:
I = 0.1 * C20;
Charge until the voltage on a single bank is 2.4 volts, after which the charging current is reduced to the value:
I = 0.05 * C20;
With these parameters, the process continues until it is fully charged.
The control-training cycle also covers the practice of discharge, when the battery is discharged with a small current of 0.1C to a total voltage level of 10.4 volts.
While the degree of density of the electrolyte is maintained at the level of 1.24 g/cm 3 . After the discharge, the device is charged according to the standard method.
General principles for charging lead-acid batteries
In practice, several methods are used, each of which has its own difficulties and is accompanied by a different amount of financial costs.
Deciding how to charge the battery is easy. Another question is what result will be obtained from the application of one method or another. The most accessible and simplest method is considered to be a direct current charge at a voltage of 2.4 - 2.45 volts / bank.
The charging process continues until the current value remains constant for 2.5-3 hours. Under these conditions, the battery is considered fully charged.
Meanwhile, the combined charge technique has received greater recognition among motorists. In this option, the principle of limiting the initial current (0.1C) until the specified voltage is reached.
Then the process continues at a constant voltage (2.4V). For this circuit, it is permissible to increase the initial charge current to 0.3C, but no more.
Batteries operating in buffer mode are recommended to be charged at low voltages. Optimal charge values: 2.23 - 2.27 volts.
Deep discharge - elimination of consequences
First of all, it should be emphasized that the restoration of the battery to the nominal capacity is possible, but on condition that no more than 2-3 deep discharges have taken place.
The charge in such cases is performed by a constant voltage of 2.45 volts per can. It is also allowed to charge with a current (constant) of 0.05C.
The battery recovery process may require two or three separate charge cycles. Most often, to achieve full capacity, charging is carried out in 2-3 cycles. If the charge is carried out with a voltage of 2.25 - 2.27 volts, it is recommended to perform the process twice or thrice. Since at low voltages it is not possible to achieve the capacitance rating in most cases.
Of course, the influence of the ambient temperature during the recovery process must be taken into account. If the ambient temperature is in the range of 5 - 35ºС, the charge voltage does not need to be changed. In other conditions, charge adjustment will be required.
Video on the control and training cycle of the battery
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The car battery provides power to the elements of the car. During its movement, charging is carried out using a generator. However, he will not be able to fully replenish the energy. Therefore, periodic maintenance of the battery is necessary. To do this, you should know how to properly charge the car battery with a charger at home.
Choice of charger
The determining parameters are the characteristics of the battery - voltage (6, 12 or 4 V), battery type (flooded, dry-charged, gel and lead acid). According to the latest quality, it is recommended to choose universal models suitable for all types of batteries. Additionally, the nominal capacity indicator is taken into account - Ah. 
According to the functionality, the memory is divided into two classes:
- Chargers. Designed only to restore battery performance, it is possible to maintain the current charge at the required level.
- Starter chargers. A significant amount of current is required to start the vehicle's systems. If the battery has not had time to charge by this time, the starter-charger can replace it at this stage.
For beginners, it is recommended to buy simple charger models, without additional parameter adjustment functions. If the motorist has a lot of experience, he will need a professional charger with an indication, the ability to adjust the current and voltage. Any model should have the option of protection against overheating, incorrect connection.
How often should the battery be charged
How often a battery is charged determines its lifespan. Ideally, it should be connected to the charger no more than once a year. But in fact it depends on many external factors. If the frequency is chosen incorrectly and there is no control over the current state of the battery, the opposite effect will be observed - a rapid decrease in capacity. 
Facts affecting battery charging frequency:
- Temperature outside. It does not affect if the indicator is more than + 5C. As soon as a decrease occurs, the battery capacity may drop by 1.5-2 times.
- Possible malfunctions of the power plant. These include problems with compression, incorrect functioning of the fuel equipment.
- The frequency of full load of the battery when the engine is off.
The minimum battery charge to start the power plant is individual. But usually it should not be less than 12.3 volts. If this value is less - the charge will not be enough, you will need to connect to the charger. On average, 70-75% of the maximum charge is sufficient for normal battery operation. It is recommended to restore it to 100% once a year, before the start of the winter period.
Car Battery Charging Methods
There are two main ways to charge a battery - by changing the direct current or voltage. The choice depends on the functionality of the charger, the need to control the process, its speed and the degree of charging. 
Before starting, the following conditions must be met:
- Preliminary check of actual battery capacity.
- The correct connection of the terminals in polarity is “plus” to “plus”, as well as “minus”. Otherwise, there will be a reverse process - discharge.
- The minimum cross section of the wire core is 1 mm2. In the braid, the diameter should be about 1.3 mm.
- Cleaning the surface of the battery from acid residues, dirt.
- Unscrew the plugs of the holes intended for pouring acid.
- Checking the electrolyte level. If it is not enough, distilled water is added.
After that, you can start the charging process. It is recommended to do this in a room with room temperature and good ventilation. In the process of increasing the charge, electrolyte vapors will be released.
DC regulation
The essence of this method is to control the current value by adjusting it depending on the current battery charge. For novice motorists, it is difficult, since changes in the indicator depend on the actual state of the battery. It is recommended to apply if there is a possibility of constant control of the process. 
It is best to consider the essence of this method using the example of a battery with a capacity of 60A * h. Recommended course of action.
- Set the current value to 6A, from a ratio of 0.1 to the rated capacity.
- After the start of the release of electrolyte gases, it is necessary to reduce the rate by half. With a battery charge value of 14.4 V, the current should be 3 A.
- As soon as the charge indicator reaches 15 V, the current drops to 1.5 A.
In this way, you can charge the battery to a level from 70% to 100%. In the latter case, it is necessary to control the value of the battery charge level and current strength. If the first remains unchanged for two hours, this is a sign of a full charge.
DC voltage change
The best way if there is no way to constantly monitor the process. It should be borne in mind that the value of the battery charge in this case is proportional to the applied voltage. For a preliminary calculation of the time, it is necessary to divide the applied voltage by 1.11. 
Consider this process using a standard 12 V battery as an example, depending on the required degree of charge for a duration of 24 hours:
- 75-80%. In this case, the applied voltage should be 14.4 V;
- 85-90%. The optimal value is 15 V;
- one hundred%. The voltage parameter must be at least 16.3 V.
Important - the value of the charging current should not exceed 25 A. For this, the charger must be equipped with a circuit that limits this parameter. It is in all factory models, but if a home-made device is used, this moment needs to be tracked.
Checking the battery level
In addition to the parameter values on the charger and battery terminals, it is recommended to additionally control the density of the electrolyte. This is done using a special device - a hydrometer. 
For a standard battery, the following electrolyte density values \u200b\u200bare accepted depending on the degree of charge:
- 100% - 1.28 g/m3;
- 75% - 1.25g/m3;
- 50% - 1.20 g/m3.
It is important to check this indicator in all banks. If for any reason a short circuit occurs in one of them, the electrolyte density value will be much less than the others. It is also necessary to take into account the error of the hydrometer, the degree of its suitability for verification, the range of measured values. Additionally, this device can be used to monitor the condition of the coolant.
Alternative ways
A proven method for restoring battery health without using a special device is to “light it up” from another battery. It is important that they have the same current values. Otherwise, the fuses or part of the vehicle's electrical wiring will fail. 
This can be done using the following algorithm.
- Direct connection to the battery of another car, observing the polarity, as when using a charger.
- After starting the engine, you must wait 3-5 minutes and only after that you can disconnect the terminals. First from the “donor”, and then from the battery of your car.
- The trip is within 20-30 minutes. The best charge will be when activating high or low gears. The recommended crankshaft speed is from 2900 to 3200.
This method will be effective if the battery charge level is not lower than critical. Otherwise, starting the engine and on-board systems will not be possible.
It is also not recommended to use homemade chargers made on the basis of household charging blocks from a laptop or mobile phone. It is almost impossible to control the main values of current and voltage during the charging process. This can lead to negative consequences. It is best to purchase a cheap but reliable factory model of memory.