How to Recharge a Car Battery?
Even though it appears to be "in good shape", a battery can discharge for various reasons. Prolonged parking, strong variations in temperature, or forgetting to turn off your headlights cause a gradual loss of energy. If this should happen, it is not always useful to replace the battery. Most of the time, a simple reload can remedy the problem. How to do it?
Do you have Cables? It's time to Take Them out:
Jumper cables are used to link two cars together to recharge a weak battery. It suffices to position a second vehicle at a sufficient distance to be able to make the battery-to-battery connection, then to run the engine of the second vehicle. This generally makes it possible to supply the energy necessary for the "broken down" vehicle to be able to start the engine. It will take some time to provide the necessary energy. Once the engine has started, driving will allow the battery to charge properly.
At Home, Use a Battery Charger:
The battery charger is a classic. Operating on a 220-volt outlet, it is not nomadic and must be plugged in at home. Very easy to use, all you need to do is connect the positive and negative terminals of the battery, then switch it on to start charging. Depending on the state of the battery to be recharged and the power of the charger, a certain time will sometimes be necessary for a complete recharge (sometimes an entire night).
The Battery Starter (also called a booster): nomadic or not
Battery starters are widely used and there are all kinds of them. This ranges from the large booster that plugs into 220 volts and allows a discharged battery to be revitalized in a few seconds, to a nomadic starter operating with a battery. These devices are equipped with cables that are directly connected to the battery to provide a power source powerful enough to start a car.
Be careful, however, to choose the model corresponding to your vehicle, because there are several types and at all prices. For diesel engines, prefer a more efficient model with a more powerful battery. Also, remember to recharge it from time to time. Even if the batteries of these devices are more and more efficient, they end up discharging after a long period of non-use.
For some time now we have also seen the appearance of a very compact "mini booster" which can be stored everywhere. They are shaped like a small battery and are recharged via a USB socket. Their powers vary depending on the model, but they are very effective in invigorating a tired battery.
However, you should choose a model whose power is compatible with your engine. Thanks to the various connections available, they can also charge a mobile phone or even a computer.
Be Careful When Connecting:
If the latest generation accessories have a protection device in the event of pole reversal, this is not necessarily the case with older models. It is therefore important to respect the polarity when connecting. These devices being standardized, the red cable is intended for the positive (+) terminal, while the black cable will be connected to the negative (-) terminal. If in doubt, know that the positive terminal of the battery is the larger of the two.
Before replacing a battery that appears to be showing signs of weakness, recharge it first. This is usually enough to get her back into shape. However, if the problem persists, it is better to replace it.
