Notably, the flat battery is one of the most reported issues by car owners. Moreover, the problem escalates if such a mishap takes place in a remote location. Even if you find a garage service, it cost a great deal of money. Thus, you should know how long does it take to charge a car battery while driving? For starters knowing how to fix the battery will save lots of time and money.
What are the few reasons that lead to the flattening of a car battery?
An old and worn-out battery
Old and worn-out batteries get discharged easily. Hence, it would help if you got the car’s battery inspected by experts every six months. That said, a car battery has a life span of around 3 to 4 years. Near the end of the battery’s life, you might experience several glitches. For example, the car usually stalls often, or it takes time to start the engine.
Electrical malfunctioning
At times, the electrical system of the car remains open even after turning the vehicle off. In effect of this, you must check consoles and audio players before stepping out of the vehicle. Generally, this type of scenario leads to the electrical draining of the battery.
Fault in the alternator
All in all, an alternator converts mechanical energy into electrical energy. In doing so, it entirely relies on car batteries. If the alternator becomes obsolete, then it also affects the proper functioning of the battery.
Inconsistency to charge a car battery
Sometimes malfunctioning in the ECU could affect the alternator and the battery. In other words, a faulty ECU can cause a gradual loss of electrical charge while driving.
Lights or ignition turned on for long
Make sure to turn off the dome light before stepping out of the vehicle. Keeping the cabin lights on consistently can lead to depletion of battery charge. Resulting, you may have to rely on the towing services to fix the damages.
Unused car battery
Car batteries also get depleted if it hasn’t been used for a long time. Even new batteries start to deplete within a week or so. Thereby it is essential to start the vehicle every five days.
How long does it take to charge a car battery while driving?
As mentioned above, it is the alternator that changes the mechanical energy to electrical. This component also charges the battery while the car’s engine is running. Usually, the complete charging takes around 30 minutes, and it depends on several factors. If the battery is completely depleted, then the alternator won’t be able to charge it fully. With that said, the alternator could recharge the battery around 30 to 40 percent.
On the other hand, the health of the battery also affects the changing intensity. For example, new batteries tend to charge faster in comparison to older ones. Likewise, batteries that are in constant use charge quickly.
Meanwhile, the battery charging capacity also depends on the car brand and the overall size. It would help if you tried to run the car at higher RPMs while charging the battery. The engine rotation directly influences the performance of the alternator. Thus, make sure to run the vehicle above 1000 RPM.
High speed supposedly doesn’t mean higher RPM. For that, you require to keep an eye on the tachometer. If your car lacks a tachometer, then try to run it at a higher pitch. Finally, it would help if you also kept all the electronic devices off while charging the battery. Thus, most of the charge will get transferred to the alternator and the battery.
What are the different types of charges used for a car battery?
High Amp
Usually, charges above 40 Amp are considered as higher Amperage. This amount of charge helps to recharge a battery within an hour. However, never use a linear charge as they can overcharge the battery. Thereby, it can lead to short-circuiting or worse. In comparison to continuous chargers, multi-stage charges are preferred. Multiple-stage chargers are the best as they offer sudden bursts of power.
Low Amp
As the name suggests, low Amperage is around 2 to 4 Amps. Moreover, they take around a day to fully charge the vehicle. Unlike the multiple-stage chargers, they offer continuous charges. It would help if you used a trickle charger on a battery that hasn’t been used for a long time.
What is the working mechanism of a charging system?
Vehicles, when driven charge the battery automatically. Besides, the battery has a small amount of charge that is enough to bring the engine to life. When the engine starts, the alternator uses a serpentine belt. With that said, the serpentine belt is attached to the crankshaft.
Hence, this belt spins like a pulley on the alternator and generates an electrical charge. Resulting, this charge is consumed by the consoles and electrical gears installed in the car. Likewise, the headlights and air conditioning also work with the help of this charge. For proper regulation, a voltage regulator maintains the current flow.
How can you take care of the battery?
- Do not overcharge the battery
- Drive the vehicle often
- Use a low Amp charge
- Get the battery inspected regularly
- Prevent the battery from getting overheated
Conclusion
Every driver should learn how long does it take to charge a car battery while driving? Undertaking temporary measures can prevent further depletion of the battery. Hence, you can save money on replacements. There are several reasons why the car battery gets depleted. Nevertheless, you can recharge the battery while driving the car at a high RPM.
On the other hand, a fully depleted battery is not easy to charge. If you are planning to hire a professional, then go with low Amperage charging. Even though it takes a long time, the low Amperage option is safer. Lastly, do replace the battery after every 3 to 4 years as they get obsolete.
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