I. Car Battery Charging Methods and Charging Time
There are two methods for charging a car battery: fast charging and slow charging.
Fast Charging (Constant Current Charging)
Many car owners believe that fast charging saves time, only requiring 3-5 hours; however, this is not the case. Fast charging only quickly activates the battery surface, but the battery’s interior is not fully charged.
Slow Charging (Constant Voltage Charging)
Another charging method for car batteries is slow charging, which takes 10-15 hours. Deeply discharged batteries must be slow-charged; otherwise, insufficient charging time and charge amount will directly affect the car’s driving performance.
II. Why Does a Car Battery Run Out of Power?
Forgetting to turn off the headlights after parking
When the car engine is running, the generator continuously supplies power to the headlights or other electrical equipment in the car. Once the car is turned off and parked, the generator stops supplying power, and all the load is transferred to the car battery.
Using in-car equipment for extended periods after turning off the engine
Some car owners stay in their cars for a while after parking, especially at night when they arrive home. They might listen to CDs, the radio, or handle other tasks.
The electrical equipment in the car does not turn off after the engine is switched off. The generator stops generating power, but the battery continues to supply power. The battery itself has a rated capacity of stored energy. Using electrical equipment for extended periods depletes the battery’s charge, leading to a discharged battery over time. Furthermore, cold starts require a significant amount of ignition energy, which can easily cause starting difficulties.
Short driving distance or time
Each time a vehicle is started, a certain amount of battery charge is consumed. Although some car owners use their vehicles daily, if the driving distance or time after each start is too short, the battery charge consumed during starting cannot be replenished in time. This can lead to battery discharge due to insufficient charging over time. It is recommended to have a car jump starter.