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Connect the large black alligator clip on the end of one of the trickle charger cables to the negative - terminal on the battery.
Items you will need Battery Steel wool Trickle charger with adjustable volt setting or rated to the battery voltage, such as 12 volts for a car battery. If the battery cables are connected to the posts, note the color of the cables. Spark wouldn't necessary come from jumper cables or charger cables in this case, though, but rather simply attempting to start the vehicle. In either case, avoid moving engine parts if you start the engine with the hood raised or cover removed. I'm sorry if reading my previous edit was misleading. If the battery voltage is below To check for this put your voltmeter across the battery when you are charging, then put it across the output of the charger.
Run a standard trickle charger for approximately two days, then disconnect for a month to prevent over-charging. Floater chargers can be connected indefinitely, although it is a good idea to check the battery at least once a month. James Clark began his career in He has written about electronics, appliance repair and outdoor topics for a variety of publications and websites.
He has more than four years of experience in appliance and electrical repairs. Clark holds a bachelor's degree in political science. Tip Check the owner's manual for your trickle charger to determine whether it is a floater type that can be left on for longer periods.
Warning Do not scrub both battery posts with steel wool or anything else at the same time to avoid risk of shorting the battery and electrical shock. Items you will need Battery Steel wool Trickle charger with adjustable volt setting or rated to the battery voltage, such as 12 volts for a car battery. Before connecting your battery to a trickle charger, do a rain check and park your car at a well-ventilated space.
Charging a battery can emit extra hydrogen gas, which can explode once left concentrated in an enclosed space. The coast is clear? Turn off the car lights and the ignition, remove your car keys and make sure that the charger is unplugged.
Then, find a suitable ground location before attaching the negative terminal of the trickle charger. The ground location can either be a large bolt connected to the chassis or a part of the frame that is free from grime, dirt or oil.
Connect the Cables Prior to connecting any cable, set the appropriate amperage and voltage for your car battery. Then, turn to your alligator clips and look for the red and black clips. Make sure the negative wire is solidly attached to the ground location before you plug your car charger. Similarly, refrain from touching any of the wires once the charger is already plugged as doing so can result to shock or injury.
Lastly, Turn on the Charger Before turning on the charger, double check your manual and make sure you are following the recommended settings for your trickle charger and battery. Turn the charger on and, if available, read the amp meter.
If the meter reading is high, it means that the battery is low or zero in energy. If, by contrast, the meter reading is low, it may either mean that the battery is sufficiently charged or your ground connection is not enough. In cases like this, turn off the trickle charger for car and try reconnecting the charger.
How Does a Car Battery Charger Work Battery chargers have the same working mechanism—they supply an electric current to batteries so the cells can feed on these currents and regain energy. However, not all battery chargers are created equal.
Typically, a fully-discharged car battery takes around 20 hours to trickle charge. For instance, a amp battery with a reserve capacity RC around 60 can take 1 hour to charge, while a 2-amp battery with an RC of 60 can take as long as 20 hours to trickle charge. Even though a car battery trickle charger is highly advanced, it is still vulnerable to over-charging your battery, which can lead to serious battery damage.
A trickle charger provides a more sustainable charge than a quick jump start. Turn off the charger, unplug it and retry the connection if this. Before connecting your battery to a trickle charger, do a rain check and park is sufficiently charged or your ground connection is not enough.