Charging a car battery

[mikeconroy10]

So the inevitable has happened during lockdown with the car not moving in weeks and the battery has gone flat. Went online and ordered a Ring Portable Powering RCB212 thinking it'd be simple enough to charge up, which I'm still sure it is, but the unclear instructions and then the internet have thrown up a few questions!!

The first question is, are we fine to charge the battery whilst it is still fully connected in the car or do we need to detach and remove the battery before charging?

Question 2 relates to where we attach the black / negative battery clip. Do we attach it to the negative terminal on the battery or do we attach it to some part of the vehicle chassis?

I've read conflicting advice on both questions. Do either of them even matter?!?

[AfloatinClaret]

Charge it in place/connected and black cable clip connects to the battery's negative terminal (red to positive).

[IanMcL]

I agree with Mr Floatin!

Had to charge my partner's car. Had to mend the charger fuse first! Saved a few quid though. Forgot I had it!

[Bosscat]

Floatins spot on

[Croydon Claret]

Attach the positive cable first

The negative terminal should be attached to the earthing terminal on the bodywork. There'll be a thick cable coming off the battery terminal which will bolt into the bodywork close by

Only once both cables are attached should the charger be switched on

Use of the negative terminal is discouraged as if a spark occurs then it can, in extreme circumstances, cause the battery to explode.

I had one explode in my face once many many years ago and it's not a pleasant experience

[Bertiebeehead]

If it’s a modern AGM battery you’ll need a digital charger.

[mikeconroy10]

Cheers people! I'll charge it whilst still in place and attach the negative to the earthing terminal to be safe!

[bobinho]

If you are going to take the battery off, disconnect the earth lead first, and when reconnecting, connect the earth last.

[LoveCurryPies]

I had this problem last week. Bought a trickle charger for £20 + £3 next day delivery. Charged for 24 hours and fired up first time.

[GodIsADeeJay81]

I've charged more batteries than I care to remember and done them in situ, or taken them off the car, always connecting the charger to the battery terminals directly, it's the best way to ensure it charges.

It makes no odds if the battery is connected to the car or not.

[huw.Y.WattfromWare]

Isn’t it easy now with sealed for life batteries. Us old sods had to take each cell cap off to let them breath and sweat about dripping acid on the bodywork.

[atlantalad]

In the back of my mind I recall reading that you should make sure you do not have the ignition switched on when attaching a live charger. People stated that such an action caused havoc with the electronics of Toyota vehicles. Not sure how true this is though. I have always prefered to charge a car battery off the car.

Brings back fond memories of crank starting my first car on cold mornings- Morris Minor. Since most modern petrol cars have transverse engines I guess it would be neigh impossible to provide crank starts as a useful auxilliary.

[IanMcL]

Hope your back is ok, Atlanta!

[karatekid]

Is it a start/stop car? I'm sure these need a special type of charger so as not to damage the very expensive battery.

[Barlickclaret]

Get some jump leads or bump start it, then give it a good run and it should charge itself.

[atlantalad]

Hope your back is ok, Atlanta!

Back is fine thanks. Just had to be careful of the kick back and not spraining / breaking my wrists.

Happy days tinkering around with those old cars. I developed a considerable amount of mechanical skills in my youth through necessity. Haynes manuals were a god send. Sadly, these new fangeled electronic ECU controlled have made my skills somewhat redundant.

I now tinker about with my motorcycle ( Bandit 650) having recently earned my A1 license so happy days again.

[IanMcL]

Haynes manuals!

Every home had one!

[IanMcL]

My dad used to be under the bonnet every weekend.
He used to have 'Practical Motorist' delivered each month.

[LoveCurryPies]

We all need to return to the starting handle.

(Anyone under 50 is wondering what we are referring to)

[kritichris]

We all need to return to the starting handle.

(Anyone under 50 is wondering what we are referring to)

or a kick start for the bikers.

[huw.Y.WattfromWare]

Back is fine thanks. Just had to be careful of the kick back and not spraining / breaking my wrists.

I used to turn over Dads Hillman Minx for him he taught me to put my thumb on top with my fingers because kick back could break your thumb. Memory stored for life.