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How do Car Battery Chargers Work?

Writer's picture: Luke MusuronchanLuke Musuronchan

Updated: Jun 14, 2023

Did you know a car battery is just a big rechargeable battery. Yeah! seriously, and were going to cover how to recharge these bad boys... Let's check it out!

If you're someone who has had a dead car battery, you know how frustrating it can be to jump-start your vehicle or call for assistance. This is where car battery chargers come in handy. A car battery charger is a device that can replenish your car's battery, providing it with the power it needs to start your vehicle.



Here's a breakdown of how car battery chargers work:


Power Source:

A car's battery uses DC power so most chargers have a built-in transformer that steps down the 120 VAC to a usable level around 12 volts. Then a full wave rectifier converts the AC power from the outlet into DC power that can be used to charge the battery.


Voltage and Amperage:

The charger then delivers a specific amount of voltage and amperage to the battery. As the charger outputs current to the vehicle battery which slowly increases the voltage capacity of the battery.


The voltage should match the voltage of your car's battery, typically 12 volts. The amperage determines how quickly the battery will charge. The higher the amperage, the faster the charging process, but be careful not to exceed the recommended amperage for your car's battery.


Charging Process:

As the charger delivers power to the battery, it passes through the battery's cells, causing a chemical reaction that recharges the battery. The charging process can take anywhere from a few hours to overnight, depending on the size of the battery and the charger's amperage.



Charge Completion:

Once the battery is fully charged, the charger will stop providing power to the battery. Some chargers have a built-in indicator that lets you know when the battery is fully charged, while others will simply stop providing power.

Some models have a "tending" setting which helps maintain the batteries full capacity. This stops the car battery from discharging when not in use. This is ideal when keeping a battery in storage for long periods of time.


Key Takeaways:

- Car chargers convert AC power to DC

- They apply a regulated Current to bring up the vehicle battery Voltage

- They reverse the batteries chemical reaction allowing it to recharge


Conclusion

Car battery chargers are a great way to recharge your car's battery without having to call for a jump-start your vehicle or battery boost. By understanding how they work, you can choose the right charger for your car and make sure your battery stays charged and ready to go when you need it.


Stay Safe!

Boost Buddy Canada

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