Charging your car battery

When it comes to charging a dead car battery, things can get a little more complex (and possibly more dangerous) than when you are charging your smartphone. You do not want to be shocked by the battery or burned by battery acid. You also do not want to be stuck in a parking lot with a dead battery once again if you do not let the battery charge for long enough. 

Charging a car battery with a portable battery charger

Special note: Prior to charging your car battery you want to check for any corrosion, a green crusty substance around your battery terminals. Although it is pretty common an excessive amount is a call for concern and is a tell-tale sign of a battery that needs replacement. 

• Connect the battery to the charger

Your battery charger will have a negative and positive cable with clamps on the end, similar to jumper cables. Connect the positive (red) cable to the positive battery terminal and the negative (black) cable to the negative battery terminal on your battery. 

• Turn on the charger

If you need a quick charge to get back on the road select the fast charge option. However, if you have some time you should use a slow charge as it will provide your battery with longer life. Your charger itself may indicate when your battery is charged, or it may stop on its own.

• Disconnect the charger

After your battery has regained enough charge to start your car disconnect the cables and if necessary, unplug your charger. Make sure that when you are disconnecting the clamps you are disconnecting in reverse order negative (black) first and then positive (red). Go around and start your car.

Jumpstart your Car Battery

If you do not have access to a battery charger, jumper cables and a friend or good Samaritan will be your next best option. You will need your car and another vehicle to jumpstart your battery using this method. 

• Connect the Cables.

With both vehicles turned off connect the red (positive) cable to the dead batter and then the good battery. Repeat with the black (negative) cable.

• Start the good battery

Turn on the engine of the car with the good batter and allow it to run for about 5 minutes before attempting to start your car. If your car starts, great, if not give it another 5 minutes and try again.

• Remove the cables

Disconnect the negative (black) cable from the bad battery and then the good battery. Now do the same with the positive (red) cable.

NB: You must ensure your jumper cables have inbuilt surge protection to protect the electronics of both vehicles involved.

After done charging your car battery it would be a good idea to go get it tested and replace it if needed. If you are from Campbelltown, Camden, or any other Sydney South West suburb, head on down to SW Batteries in Narellan, NSW 2567. We would be happy to test your battery for you and help you determine if a new one is needed.