Forum Home
PC World Chat
 
Thread ID: 94178 2008-10-18 01:08:00 how do i charge a 12 volt car battery? mOOseCaNNoN (13319) PC World Chat
Post ID Timestamp Content User
713030 2008-10-18 06:22:00 Whatever interesting solution is used, a 12 v lead acid battery (any type) will last long and prosper most happily if it is maintained at around 13.8 volts at normal indoor temperatures. Higher or lower voltages or temperatures will reduce it's lifetime and performance. Even in this idyllic setting, there will be a small amount of sulphuric acid fumes, not at all kind to domestic bliss or apparatus unless the battery is a fully sealed "gel-cell" type.
If you have a regulated supply at 13.8 volts, it can be left permanently connected without any worries. (A 12 volt supply will try to discharge a fully charged healthy battery :( )
R2x1 (4628)
713031 2008-10-18 09:14:00 A fully charged car battery should show 12.65 volts on no load, if 12 volts it is virtually flat!!! (do not check until about 2 hours after a charge). Most car alternators are regulated to a voltage of 13.8-14.2volts. This info learned when I worked at Joe Lucas. gradebdan (2186)
713032 2008-10-18 11:41:00 hehe thanks guys, this topic has been pretty educational for me. I didn't take the paddock car for a drive coz it virtually had no gas pctek ;) lol. what I think i'll do is buy more gas, take it for a long drive to get it fully charged then buy a solar trickle charger to keep it topped up when its not in use (which is very often) because keeping it topped up is apparently better for the life of the battery (cheers). (should be at room temp i'll just sit the solar panel on the window sill so it'll be in the sun but the battery wont).

many thanks :thumbs:
mOOseCaNNoN (13319)
713033 2008-10-18 23:06:00 [QUOTE=mOOseCaNNoN;719390]cheers,
I've put it in the paddock car, just leaving it running now,

You have paddock car you lucky lucky bugga.
Always wanted a bit of land so I could make a track and race around it. Especially if a bit muddy. Seems like more fun than sex. If you need someone to drive the paddock car to charge the battery I volunteer.
prefect (6291)
713034 2008-10-18 23:51:00 [QUOTE=mOOseCaNNoN;719390] Seems like more fun than sex.

I guess you don't get out much if that's the case :(
gary67 (56)
713035 2008-10-19 03:09:00 More fun than the Pearce prefect (6291)
1 2