Car owners dread the moment they are in a rush and their car won’t start because of a dead battery. It could happen because you left your lights open or missed the signs of a weak battery. The battery may also die because of not using the car for a long time or not maintaining it properly. Whatever the reason is, luckily, you can recharge it. So, if you’re thinking about how long it takes to charge a car battery or how it should be done, don’t worry; we will discuss it in this guide.
But before we head to how long it takes to charge a car battery, let’s look at different car battery types. Knowing the different kinds of car batteries will also help you set up a car battery.
Car Battery Types
Before knowing how long it takes to charge a car battery, you must know the different types of car batteries, so let’s first discuss the several car battery types made for other vehicles.
To find out which one is suitable or used for your car, take a look below.
Wet Batteries
Also known as flooded batteries, it is a low-cost car battery type that is very commonly used. These batteries don’t require much maintenance and are spillproof. They have freely suspended insulated plates with the negatively charged plate kept separate. Their spill-proof feature reduces the need to refill them regularly.
Calcium-Calcium
These batteries are another low-cost option that has calcium alloy plates. The utilization of calcium minimizes fluid loss and a slower discharge rate. Overcharging can damage these batteries.
Lithium-Ion
It is one of the most popular and costly batteries used in expensive cars. They are most popular in electric and hybrid vehicles due to their eco-friendly nature. Compared to other battery types, Li-ion batteries store more charge and weigh less.
VRLA
These are lead-acid batteries that have two variants: GEL and AGM. The GEL variant has silicone that keeps the acid within as a gel. Meanwhile, at the same time, AGM incluMatslass Matts to lower resistance.
Deep Cycle
These durable batteries are typically used in electric vehicles, golf carts, and small boats. Their thick plates offer more charge capacity. They are not suitable for road cars due to their high discharge rate.
Now that you know the different battery types, you should see the kind of charger, as it will determine how long it takes to charge a car battery.
What Type Of Charger Do You Need?
Three types of chargers can charge your car battery. Let’s look at each of them and how long it takes to charge a car battery with them.
Linear Battery Charger
One of the simplest ways to charge your car battery is to plug it into a wall socket. But this charger works at low amperage and might take longer to set your dead battery. If you’re wondering how long it takes to charge a car battery with a linear battery charger, it will take up to 12 hours.
One of the risks of using linear chargers is that they run continuously and will continue to charge the battery even when it reaches full power. This can damage your battery.
Multi-Stage Charger
Instead of continuous charge, the multi-stage charger provides bursts of power. This prevents long-term battery damage and is better than linear charging. Their charging speed is also breakneck. If you’re wondering how long it takes to charge a car battery with a multi-stage charger, the answer is only a few hours.
Trickle Charger
These chargers operate between the range of 0.4 to 8 Amperes. They have a low power output level and are not the right choice to charge a dead battery. However, they are helpful to prevent your car battery from dying. You can connect them to the battery when the car isn’t in use.
How Long Does It Take To Charge A Car Battery?
Generally, how long does it take to charge a car battery? There are a lot of factors to give a definite answer to it.
The time needed to charge your car battery depends on the voltage, amperage, car battery type, and type of charger that you use. Also, the longer you leave the battery uncharged, the longer it will take to recharge. Moreover, a high amp charger will take less time than a low amp charger. However, using a high amp charger has risks, including reduced battery life. With a charge amp of 4 to 8 amperes, a regular car battery will take 4 to 24 hours to charge fully.
How Do I Determine The Charge Duration?
A simple formula can help you determine how long it takes to charge your car battery.
Just multiply the reserve capacity of your battery by 0.6. This tells you how long your car needs to be charged to reach total capacity. Let’s say your car has 200 minutes in the reserve capacity, so your charge duration will be 200 times 0.6, which is 120 amp-hours.
To determine how long it takes to charge a car battery, divide the number of amps by amp hours. Take a look at these amperages and how long it takes to charge a car battery with them:
- 50 amps – 2.4 hours
- 40 amps – 3 hours
- 12 amps – 10 hours
- 10 amps – 12 hours
- 4 amps – 30 hours
- 2 amps – 60 hours
Regarding how long it takes to charge a car battery, 50 and 40 amps help travel as they are quick and efficient. However, regularly using high-amp chargers can reduce your battery life. Chargers with low amps, such as 4 and 2, are helpful for vehicles that are seldom used. They take a long time to charge the battery but do not affect its battery life negatively. If you want to charge at a reasonable speed without damaging the battery, the 8-12amp range is a good choice.
However, if your battery has been dead, the charge time will be affected by its condition, the performance of the alternator, and the charger used. You can recharge it using the car’s alternator if it has a 12 to 12.4 volts capacity.
A half-hour drive, with all electrical items turned off, will be sufficient to charge the battery.
The best way to charge a car battery is to let it idle with all the electrical items turned off. So make sure when setting your car’s battery, the radio, AC, lights, wipers, and other electrics are turned off.
How To Charge A Dead Car Battery
Now that you know how long it takes to charge a car battery when charging with different charger types, let’s look at how to set a dead car battery.
A car battery with a voltage lower than 12 volts is considered dead. If you’re wondering how to charge a dead car battery or if it’s even possible, then the answer is here.
If your car is in good working condition, you can quickly charge its dead battery. However, remember that using the alternator to charge a completely dead battery can damage the alternator and the battery.
Here’s how to charge a car battery that is dead:
A charger or jump-start method can be used for this purpose. Once that is done, let the engine idle with all the electrical items turned off.
Another method is to jump-start the car and immediately connect it to a dedicated charger. This is a safe way of recharging the dead battery without damaging the alternator.
What Is The Car Battery Replacement Cost?
If you need professional help replacing your old battery, you can take it to any mechanic and ask for a replacement. The car battery replacement cost may differ depending on the battery you buy.
Make sure to consider all these factors when deciding if the car battery replacement cost is worth it or not.
- How fresh the battery is
- Power needs
- Size and fitting
- Warranty
- Battery care and maintenance
Usually, car battery replacement costs fall from $50 to $300. However, the factors mentioned above and the battery brand also play a role.
Top 10 Car Battery Brands
Since car batteries don’t last long, you must also replace yours. There could be many reasons that degrade your battery’s performance. But when it stops working smoothly even after recharging, it is a sign that it needs to be replaced.
However, many car battery options exist in conventional lead-acid and advanced AGM designs.
Below are the top 10 car battery brands that can be a suitable replacement for your vehicle’s battery.
Optima Batteries
Optima, one of the best car battery brands, released lead-acid and AGM batteries for commercial use. Their spiral cell technology and computerized battery chargers made the brand more famous. They have pure lead batteries that conduct electricity better and improve performance. These batteries also recharge quickly and have a high capacity to store charge.
Duracell
One of the most recognizable names in the industry, Duracell offers quality and reliability that many people believe in. They have a unique 4-chamber leak protection feature that prevents spills or leakages due to road vibrations. Their flam arrestor feature also offers defense against external ignition. In addition, they have options for all sorts of vehicles.
Odyssey
EnerSys Energy Products Inc. owns this brand. They manufacture batteries in over 17 countries and have over 100 years of expertise. They have mid-range as well as expensive batteries for cars of all sizes. They are more famous for recreational vehicles (RV). Their lead-acid enhances the charging and discharging rate.
ACDelco
Founded by General Motors, ACDelco supplies high-quality batteries, spark plugs, and more for vehicles worldwide. There is no need to refill the batteries with water. Their spillproof and well-designed batteries have valve-regulated technology. Their design keeps the battery safe from corrosion and seepage. The calcium lead alloys improve performance and minimize water consumption.
Bosch
Bosch has introduced perfect-quality batteries for electric vehicles. They focus mainly on solid-state cells in lithium-ion batteries. Their goal is to develop a battery of 190kg that can store 50kWh of energy.
XS Power
XS Power has spillproof and well-designed batteries. Their batteries are resistant to road vibrations and have a large charging capacity. Their AGM batteries are famous for their power-packed performance. Their convenient design allows them to be used in trucks, vehicles, and SUVs.
Mighty Max
Mighty Max has some high-quality deep-cycle AG batteries sealed with lead acid. The spillproof design lets the battery be used at higher temperatures as well. Their batteries are designed to withstand shocks and vibrations.
DieHard
DieHard is one of the most trusted American battery brands. Their cost-effective batteries are designed to fulfill the power demands of new vehicles. They have been serving for over 50 years and are available worldwide. Their batteries are designed to prevent damage from road vibrations and offer more durability, even in sub-zero temperatures.
VMAX
VMax has AGM batteries that are made with heavy-duty tin and lead. This improves their service life and offers good performance even after overcharging. They have many options suitable for all vehicles and climatic conditions.
SoundQuest
AGM batteries from SoundQuest have removable brass posts and an excellent power reserve capacity. They are suitable for electric vehicles and accessories. The durable and efficient batteries remove the need to add capacitors to the system. It is also a good choice for a secondary battery.
How To Take Care Of Your Car Battery
Now that you have read about battery types, chargers, and how long it takes to charge a car, you should learn different ways to keep the battery safe.
Read the tips below to maintain your car battery:
- Change battery every four years
- Be careful when adding water
- Check battery acid level every six months
- Get it checked by a mechanic
- Keep the battery clean
- Make sure the cables are tight and properly secured
- Charge the battery if the car has not been used for a long time
- Keep it warm, especially during winters
- Do not overcharge the battery
- Avoid regular use of high-amp chargers
Conclusion
Car batteries don’t last forever, but proper care and maintenance can go a long way. Now that you know how to charge a car battery and how long it takes to charge a car battery, you can keep your battery safe.
You can charge your car’s battery with the proper knowledge and the correct recharge method. If you have to find a replacement for your car battery, you can choose one of the top 10 car battery brands at a reasonable car battery replacement cost, as we discussed.
Lastly, always turn everything off before leaving the car and follow battery care tips regularly.
