Infrequent driving over short distances, constant starting and stopping, minus temperatures and additional electrical consumers (rear window heater, parking heater, seat heater), show an impact on reducing the starting power of the battery. To ensure that the battery does not refuse to serve us, you need to charge it, at least twice a year. The best solution will be a combination of recharging and seasonal replacement of tires. In the following article we will try to suggest what to pay special attention to when charging the battery.

Charger – specifying additional energy for the battery

In general, the rule of thumb is that a fully automatic charger (which has a charging voltage limit of 14.8V) will be ideal for charging the battery connected to the vehicle. Such devices carry out the charging process completely automatically. Depending on the capacity of the battery, the following chargers are recommended:

Battery charging – general principles

At the very beginning, using either a voltmeter or a tester, check the battery voltage at rest. If it is below 12.5 volts, the battery requires immediate recharging. In order to measure the voltage at rest with a tester, you need to wait about 5 hours after the end of charging, or a minimum of one hour without taking the energy contained in the battery.

Charging batteries with a charger

  • Before we start charging a battery containing liquid electrolyte, we must check its level and, if necessary, replenish the deficiency with demineralized or distilled water up to the marker of the maximum acid level or up to 15 mm above the top edge of the plate,
  • The battery caps should remain closed during charging,
  • AGM batteries – these batteries cannot be opened. Taking acid density measurements or topping them up with water will not be possible or is not needed at all.

Notes for AGM batteries

  • use only chargers that have a regulated voltage with a minimum IU characteristic and an AGM/GEL charging program,
  • The maximum charging voltage can not exceed 14.8V (constant voltage), the gassing voltage is about 14.6V.

Notes for conventional batteries and EFBs

  • It will be best to use chargers that have a regulated voltage with a minimum IU characteristic,
  • The maximum charging voltage must not exceed 14.8V. The optimal voltage for any calcium battery, is about 14.8V, while the gassing voltage will be about 14.6V. Gassing is suitable for electrolyte circulation, can counteract possible acid stratification, nevertheless it also means some water loss.

NOTE!

Automatic chargers with a limit voltage of 14.8V can be used on a connected battery to the car installation. If the charger has a voltage higher than 14.8V it is absolutely necessary to disconnect the battery from the on-board electronics or remove it from the vehicle. Controllers in the car may be damaged by overvoltage, resulting in significant losses!