Thankfully, most car batteries that have been manufactured in the past few decades are rechargeable, essentially meaning that by charging car battery overnight, one can restore its potential energy and make it work like a new one without spending a single penny.
Can a car battery charge overnight? Yes, it’s possible, but that it depends greatly on the current charge level of the battery concerned. Thus, a battery with residual energy will take comparatively less time than one that is completely drained.
With a high-quality car battery, one can expect a service life of up to 5 years without having to charge or replace it. It should be noted that a car’s battery is continually charged by the alternator while the engine is running.
However, due to unfortunate incidents or misuse, such as keeping the car door open or leaving the lights on all night, even the most robust and upmarket battery can drain out of its juice before it reaches its expected lifespan.
The Benefits of Charging Car Battery Overnight
Charging a car battery overnight is quite easy and effortless, especially when you have access to the right charger. Moreover, it is definitely a cheaper alternative to spending money on a new or replacement battery, which can easily cost you anywhere between US$50-US$200.
Investing in a battery charger is one of the wisest decisions that any car owner can make.
This portable device will not only be useful on days when you have to deal with queued tasks or meetings, but it will also prove its effectiveness when your car will stop in the middle of nowhere because of a flat battery.
It is vital to understand that investing in a car battery charger is not an additional expense, but rather an investment that will pay off several times over in the years to come.
How Long Does It Take to Charge a Battery?
The time required to charge a 12 V car battery fully will depend greatly on the current battery charge level, amperage, and the quality of the battery charger being used. Even with a sufficiently powerful charger and adequate conditions, it can take several hours for the battery to be fully charged.
However, a battery that is completely depleted of its charge will undoubtedly take longer to recharge than one that still has a residual charge. It is one of the main reasons why car owners should regularly check their car’s battery and why some prefer to charge their car’s battery during the night.
It should also be noted that the time required to charge a battery is directly proportional to the charger’s amperage. Thus, a charger with a high amperage will certainly lead to a faster charge.
But it is essential to ensure compatibility by checking the “rated capacity” because charging a battery that is not at a really low voltage with the high amperage charger can cause irreparable damage to the cells and in severe cases, can also cause an explosion.
If your only goal is to maintain the battery charge level at 100%, then it is always recommended to use chargers with a low amperage rating.
What Is Optimal Amperage for Charging Car Batteries?
It is widely accepted and is also suggested by professionals that charging any battery slowly using a quality charger can be the most beneficial for the battery’s performance and will significantly improve its life span.
It is common knowledge that charging a battery with 20 A or more is regarded as a fast charge, while any value in the range of 10 A is regarded as a slow charge.
If possible, avoid frequent charging of your battery using high amperage loads (>=20 amperes), as this can lead to overcharging and possibly shorten battery life.
A 12 V/10 A three-stage automatic charger is ideal for charging any car battery. However, due to the systematic limitation of current and voltage regulation during the charging process, virtually no charger delivers 10 A.
Systematic adjustments result in only half the amount of the charge within a given period of time. Therefore, a battery will require a continuous charge of 12 hours or more to reach a 100% charge level. While the whole process may seem problematic, rest assured that the process is in place to ensure the consistent performance and longevity of your car’s battery.
Why Do Car Batteries Become Defective?
One of the most common reasons for the degradation of a car battery is its age. Like any other electromechanical or electrochemical device, batteries lose their ability to maintain their charging capacity as they age towards their expected lifespan.
Usually, once a battery has passed its four years of service, you will begin to notice a reduction in its efficiency and, sometimes, it may even have difficulty in charging.
The life of a battery ends when the active material in the plates inside a battery can no longer tolerate any form of discharge. Generally, with time and continuous use, the active components of the positive plate shrink due to the continuous contraction and expansion that occurs during the charging and discharging process.
This fundamental but essential activity results in a weakening of the plates, resulting in a loss of load capacity. In addition, the sludge formed by the flakes eventually accumulates in the battery base housing and is the leading cause of short circuits in the plates.
Unfortunately, a single short circuit, especially when the ambient temperature is higher than normal, will result in a dead battery.
However, due to improper use or maintenance, there may be cases where car batteries will discharge well before they reach their expected service life. Regrettably, but very true, for most car owners, their car battery is not at the forefront of their consciousness. The only times’ battery receives due attention is when they are drained, and the vehicle won’t start.
Conclusion
Regardless of how premium or robust a battery is, it will eventually die or discharge as a consequence of its age and many other related factors. But without a battery, a car is a dead machine, and that’s why investing in a battery charger is a right decision, especially when the car’s battery is three or four years old.
To your surprise, a slow charger is actually an even better option, as it is not only recommended by professionals but also proven to improve the longevity and performance of a battery.
Sources:
1. How to Pick the Right Charger – BatteryStuff.com
