Battery charging requires attention and protection. We all know how hazardous it can be to be dealing with batteries. It has chemical components that can be dangerous when inhaled and comes into physical contact in our skin.
It is precisely the same reason why we are required to wear protective clothing to protect ourselves against the harmful ingredients and chemicals when we deal with battery charging.
Is it safe to charge a car battery indoors? No, it isn’t safe, and I strictly do not advise that you charge your car battery indoors. There are such plenty of reasons why you shouldn’t do it at home or inside a confined space.
Here are some of the reasons why you shouldn’t do it indoors:
● The acid of the battery gets in your clothes as you carry it.
● The build-up of hydrogen may explode anytime.
Do not risk your life and property to charge your car battery. We should always work on the side of caution. Anything can happen when you are charging your battery. You are increasing the risk when you are doing it inside your house or indoors.
However, you can still charge your batteries indoors if you want to. Exert extra caution and precaution after deciding that you do the charging at home.
How Do You Charge a Car Battery Indoors?
You can charge battery indoors but take a lot of caution in doing so. Sparks can happen, and it can ignite and cause explosion when you do it inside. You have to be sure that you are doing the charge correctly or you can be sorry for the rest of your life. (This article also may help you how to).
Things that you will need for this:
● Safety goggles or glasses
● Battery charger
● Extension wire
● Voltmeter
Step 1: You must wear safety glasses. Your eyes must be protected from the sulfuric acid that can accidentally spark due to the battery’s hydrogen gas.
Step 2: Select a concrete and flat surface where you can put your battery charger. Make sure that it is far from other flammable materials like paper and wood. Charge your batteries in a basement or your garage away from your furniture and appliances.
Step 3: Set up the voltmeter of your battery charger to 12Volts. Choose a setting that is low on an amp where it will charge your battery slowly. Loading the car slow will desulfate the lead sulfates crystallites. It will then result in a high amperage output.
Step 4: Choose the type of battery in the charger setting. It would be better to use an extension cord if necessary so that you can reach the outlet from the garage outlet.
Step 5: Attach the red clip to the positive terminal of the battery. Then the black clip to the negative terminal battery. Turn on the charger. Charge the battery for about six to eight hours. Do not overcharge the battery because it may damage the components of the cell internally.
Step 6: Test the voltage of the battery using a voltmeter. Set the dials between the 0-50 range. Remove the battery from the charger then connect the voltmeter’s positive terminal to the positive terminal of the cell — the black to the negative terminal.
Using your voltmeter, it should have a reading of 12.6 to 12.8 if the battery is fully charged. However, if the voltage reading falls below 10V, you need to continue charging.
Safety Precautions on Charging Batteries Inside the Home
Once you decide to charge your battery indoors, you have to keep the battery away from the charger. It is not recommended to do the charging of batteries indoors. But, if you don’t have any other choice and place but indoors, try to practice it with caution.
● There should be enough ventilation inside where you will be charging your batteries.
● Choose an isolated room or area where you can charge your battery.
● There should be a nearby fire alarm in case of an emergency.
Reasons Why It is not Advisable to Charge Batteries Indoors
There are a hundred reasons why experts do not advise charging batteries indoors. An array is a representation of a heavy load of chemicals and electrical power. We should treat the cell as a highly dangerous object.
Here are some of the dangers and risk factors why we shouldn’t charge it indoors:
Weight: A car battery is considered a massive thing. Make sure that you choose a very stable place for your battery to avoid tripping or falling.
Sulphuric Acid: All batteries are loaded with sulphuric acid. You must ensure that the battery handler will not spill or tip or the dangerous acid content may spill out to people, pets, or other metals.
Electrical Connection: You must deal with the battery terminals with caution. The battery is full of amps, and it could spill the dangerous liquids that could cause it to spark. Charging a cell will produce plenty of hydrogen gases. I highly recommend that your place must be well-ventilated otherwise you can inhale the toxic fumes coming from the battery.
Fire Extinguisher: Always have a fire extinguisher available. The entire battery component is considered hazardous and toxic. Anything can become flammable and may explode anytime. Having a handy extinguisher at hand will help you respond to an emergency quickly.
Do I Need a Vent When Charging My Battery?
Batteries may emit toxic fumes that you can inhale. Fumes coming from the battery can be very poisonous and dangerous to your health. You can experience fainting and dizziness once you inhaled the battery fumes. Experts are advising car owners to charge their batteries outdoors or in a well-ventilated area.
A well-ventilated place lessens the possibility that you will be able to inhale the toxic fumes. Proper ventilation is required when you are working on charging your batteries.
Dealing with batteries can be very tough at times. You wouldn’t want to risk your health and life to charge your batteries.
Is it safe to charge a car battery indoors is a question that we should all know the answers from? It will never be safe to charge batteries at home. However, when things get worse, and you are left with no choice, you can perform it indoors with safety precautions at hand.
Sources:
1. How to Charge a Car Battery Indoor – It Still Runs
2. How to Recharge a Car Battery: Tips for Optimal Charging – CarsDirect
