charging a car battery \ alternator

A home charger is really only for cases where the battery has become discharged because the alternator is not charging the battery as much as the car's electrical devices are discharging it. Normally this would not happen but it might if:

1. Alternator is faulty.
2. Lots of small journeys with lights/demisters/heaters etc. on.
3. Engine that is hard to start for whatever reason so you are draining the battery lots with the starter (it is the bigger current drawing device under the bonnet but normally is only used for a few seconds to start the car).
4. You've left something on in the car which is draining current while the engine is switched off.

So normally you shouldn't need to charge the battery with an external charger and doing so will be of no benefit as the battery should already be charged fully. However, if the battery does get discharged it is very important to charge it up again as soon as possible as a flat battery left flat will quickly deteriorate possibly beyond further useful life. A discharged battery has a much higher freezing point than a charged one too.

If you are having to recharge the battery lots then it is either faulty (not holding charge properly) or dying, or there is one of the above points happening.

I hope that helps.

Tony

"Tony Brett" wrote

It's quite amazing how many people with a duff battery will go out and buy jump leads or a battery charger instead of a new battery.

Seems when someone doesn't know or want to ask they do what they think is right instead of asking what they should do when they dont know what to do

*blimey that was a mouthful* ... I've spent a bit of time in google just now reading up on car betteries ... makes interesting reading.

?

This is a variation of the Irish electric moon rocket joke....

Dave

The message from "mocha" contains these words:

Are you feeling sorry for the poor little thing?

Sorry to nit-pick a very comprehensive reply, but should that not be "...much *lower* freezing point..."?

Chris

I was a little I hate the fact that the alternator has to take so much strain ... so many sleepless nights .. lol

What I was go so problem solved if it fails just replace it.

Umm. Most (all?) bits on a car are designed to last a reasonable length of time doing the job they do. Best just leave them to it.

Although if you were to jack up the car and rest it on concrete blocks every night that does take some strain off the tires and suspension.

Come to think of it the courtesy light bulb tends to be one of the first things to go, so best switch that off and take a torch in with you.

The message from "PC Paul" contains these words:

Except K-series head gaskets, obviously.

No - a discharged battery has a higher freezing point so will freeze in cold weather before a charged one.

Tony

Depends how far from home he wants to go.

Well yes, obviously.

And most of a TVR.

Is he going to disconnect the alternator leads, or the belt to entirely get rid of the mechanical drag.

Don't mention the waterpump...

I mentioned it once, but I think I got away with it.

No. If your bank balance is low, drawing money from the ATM to go back to the bank to credit that to your account does not improve the situation one iota. :)

Sorry. I've got you....You are solving the dilemma of using a wired charger and a moving car at the same time...

The message from "Lin Chung" contains these words:

Simple - a trailer with a goat-operated treadmill on it.

Of course, over time the goat may evolve into something clever enough to devise s system of pulleys to drive the generator from the trailer's wheels....

Sorry, yes, I understand now what you are saying. I realised that a discharged battery will freeze at a higher temperature.

Chris