There is nothing that feels awful than having a flat car battery. The experience leaves one disappointed, especially when it’s one of those special mornings when you have a busy day ahead. Thankfully, technology has brought with it some goodies. Today, you don’t have to get stranded because of a flat battery. With some jumper cables, you can jump your car, and in the next minute, you’re on your way to work.
How long can the battery serve you after a jump start? If the battery doesn’t charge immediately after a jump start, it means that there will be no charge to help you. Therefore, that battery is the same as empty. That means that it can’t power your audio system, for instance, for more than 15 minutes.
It’s for this reason that experts always recommend that, after jumping the car, you drive it for at least 30 minutes. The 30 minutes’ drive ensures that the alternator adds some juice to the battery. With the ride, it means that you will have some charge for your next ignition.
Does the Battery Recharge After Jump-Starting?
The idea behind jump-starting the car is to give your battery some boost it needs to start the engine. From there, what do you think happens? As it’s the case, the alternator takes control of the situation and runs the engine. The alternator is designed to turn the mechanical energy from the turn into electricity, which is then directed into your car’s cell.
It’s for this reason that experts always recommend that after jump-starting the vehicle, you should drive for at least thirty minutes. By doing this, you allow the car’s alternator sufficient time needed to top up the battery. With a 30-minutes stroll, you should have enough charge to start your cell the next time you switch it off.
What If the Battery Experiences the Same Problem the Following Morning?
Have you ever experienced a flat battery now and then? Well, the problem is common and can be annoying. Imagine having to jump-start the car every other morning. In such instances, many questions usually run through your mind. Some people end up concluding that it’s the battery that has a problem.
Well, the battery may be dead. You can use its age to tell if the cell has done away with its lifespan. However, did you know that there may be other factors that may lead to flat batteries?
For instance, your battery may be experiencing some parasitic drains while the car is off. When the vehicle is off, things such as the radio may be consuming power from the battery. If not worked on, the receiver may drain all your energy. You can test for parasitic drains using a test light.
Another reason why you may be having a flat battery come every morning may be as a result of a faulty alternator. Like any other part of the car, alternators are prone to failing. By now, you understand how the car’s engine functions. While you are on the road, the alternator converts the mechanical energy into electricity, which is then stored in the battery.
Therefore, if the alternator is at stake, it means that your battery will not charge, as per the plan. As a result, you will always lack the charge needed to bring the engine back to life when the car goes off.
So, How Can You Tell that the Alternator Has a Problem?
Well, having a flat battery may be one sign that the alternator has a problem. Also, you can watch out for things such as growling sounds from the engine bay that should indicate to you that the alternator is going off.
Often, you may experience the smell of burning rubber or hot wires, and that comes from the alternator overheating. Often, cars with a faulty alternator usually die a few minutes after starting. Therefore, if you notice such signs, you shouldn’t hesitate to call your mechanic for some assistance.
How Many Times Can a Good Battery Jump a Faulty Battery?
It’s hard to figure out the answer to this inquiry because there is no said limitation. From an expert’s perspective, you can go ahead with the jump start, as many times as the donor battery can allow. As long as the donor battery is ok and running, you are set to go. However, you ought to consider checking the jumper cables every time the jumping fails.
Is Jump-Starting Your Car Risky?
It doesn’t matter the number of times you jump-start your car battery, what you should know is that every time you have a flat battery, you are shortening its lifespan. It is always recommended never to allow your battery to go flat. Therefore, instead of opting to jump-start the cell, you should try and address the root cause of what’s draining your battery in the first place.
Related Article 1: How To Jump Start A Car Battery
Related Article 2: Can I Call Uber For A Jump Start Service?
Conclusion
Often, drivers wake up to a flat battery. Having a flat battery may be a sign that something isn’t going well with either the battery or the alternator, which is tasked with charging the battery when the vehicle is on the move. But, with some jumper cables, you can face the problem head-on and start the car, and deal with the problem from the point go.
As explained in this article, once the vehicle is jump-started, the alternator is expected to take over the control of the charging. Therefore, as long as the alternator is functional, you shouldn’t have trouble starting your car the next time. Read the entire piece to understand everything that goes around the world of batteries, especially when it comes to jumping the battery of your car.
Sources:
1. My Car Will Not Start! Is it the Battery, Alternator or Starter? – Blain’s Farm & Fleet
