Do I Need A Battery Charger?

In most vehicles, the battery is an essential component; its state of health (SOH) will determine whether you’re able to turn and start the engine or not. As well as ensuring you’re able to use electrical systems when the engine is off, the battery is essential to maintain the voltage of the alternator.

Batteries, like humans, work best in moderate climates; temperatures that are too low or too high can affect the efficiency of the battery. While it takes extremely low temperatures to freeze a battery, colder weather can cause the electrochemical reaction to slow which weakens your battery’s power. In addition, colder weather often means people use their cars less; the longer your battery goes unused, the more it naturally discharges. It’s not just low temperatures that can damage your battery; the record-breaking high temperatures we endured in the summer of this year (up to 40c in some places!) put stress on batteries by evaporating electrolytes within the battery and causing internal corrosion. After such a warm summer, a cold winter will add additional stress to your battery.

Signs your car battery is dead/dying

Do I need a special battery charger? Often, what presents as a battery issue might be an alternator issue, a blown fuse, a faulty starter or even an issue with the ignition switch. Here are a few signs your battery is coming to the end of its life.

• Headlights and radio won’t turn on, windows won’t roll down/up and headlights are dim
• You can hear the start motor ticking over, but the engine isn’t starting
• Nothing happens when you turn the key
• Nothing lights up when you open the door

How to prevent failure this winter?

So how can you prevent battery failure in winter? There are many things you can do to reduce the risk of battery failure this winter, here are our top tips:

• Ensure you have a fleece ‘jacket’ around your battery
• Make sure there is no rust or corrosion on the terminals
• Use a smart charger or trickle charger to maintain your battery

Do I need a car battery charger?

Responsible car owners generally have a battery charger on hand, they anticipate unexpected issues to arise as they often do with cars. If this doesn’t sway you, car battery chargers are especially useful to those who store their vehicle over an extended period of time, having an on-hand smart charger or trickle charger can save you both time and money. This could be if you own a classic car, a motorhome or a van that isn’t used all the time. 

As well as being helpful to those who store vehicles, should you declare a vehicle SORN or if your vehicle often sits idling they can be useful to have on hand to save you any hassle and even increase the life of your battery. If you live off-grid in a campervan or van having a battery charger or battery conditioner will come in very useful if spending long periods of time with no electric hook-up.

Multiphase chargers, also known as smart chargers, come in multiple sizes according to the application. BBL Batteries own brand AVON has multiple chargers within the range, including the versatile 12v 8a intelligent battery charger. This charger is suitable for cars, vans and leisure vehicles with up to 5L engines, and is suitable for batteries between 1.2Ah – 192Ah in capacity. Smart chargers are designed to check the vehicle’s battery for any faults or anomalies, should they detect anything they will then go to work to try to correct it. This is to ensure that your battery keeps running to the best of its ability.

The 9-stage charging cycle includes diagnosis, charging and reconditioning. The best thing about this charger is that you can simply connect it to your battery, turn it on and let it automatically charge and maintain your battery. The charger protects the battery from overheating and overcharging and ensures your battery is ready for when you need it.

What are the benefits of owning a car battery charger?

There are 5 main benefits of owning a car battery charger:

1. Battery conditioners and trickle chargers are designed to operate under any conditions
2. Restores your vehicle’s dead battery
3. Prolong’s your car batteries life – smart chargers look for any defects in your battery
4. Saves time and money – no more costly repairs or battery replacements
5. Smart Chargers are safe to use they shield you from any sparks and shocks

Car battery chargers are handy to have in any car owner’s toolkit for that just-in-case moment.

So, how do I use a car battery charger or conditioner?

First of all, it’s best to check that your charger is suitable for the battery in your vehicle. If you have a Start-Stop AGM or EFB battery, you’ll need a charger that is appropriate for that technology.

1. Before connecting the charger or conditioner, inspect the battery for any signs of damage or corrosion. If you notice any debris or dirt on the terminals, clean them with a clean cloth.
2. Disconnect your battery charger. Always disconnect the negative (usually black) lead first and reconnect it last. Loosen the clamps on the terminals and move them to the side.
3. Connect the deep cycle battery charger – the positive lead to the positive terminal and the negative lead to the negative terminal. Keep the actual charging unit away from the battery; once the clamps are in place, plug in the charger and turn it on.
4. Once the charger is on, check the manual for specific details on what settings to use.

For further information or assistance, please contact the BBL Battery Experts.