Sometimes it feels like our vehicles are always trying to fail on us. Whether it’s a flat tire or the car overheating, something can seem to be going wrong with our vehicles. One big frustration for drivers is a dead car battery. You can try re-starting the engine to see if it works or have another driver help you jump-start your car. But how long will it take to properly charge a dead car battery, outside of jump-starting it?
Unfortunately, there’s no one-size-fits-all answer. The simple version is that it depends on how discharged the car battery is. If it’s completely discharged, it can take up to twelve hours and sometimes longer. Additionally, this depends on what car battery your vehicle has. However, experts advise against charging a battery at a super high rate to prevent overheating.
Car Battery Basics
Because of how advanced cars have gotten in the last 15 years, there are more electrical demands than ever before with vehicles. Car batteries power electronics deliver electricity to the ignition system, energy to start the engine and provide power storage. Needless to say, they’re crucial to our rides.
If you don’t want your car to constantly fail on you, continual maintenance and upkeep are essential. That’s why we recommend inspecting your battery about once a year, along with these other annual vehicle inspections, to see how it’s performing. However, car batteries are supposed to last between 3 to 5 years.
Why Your Battery Might Need Recharging
When you have a dead battery, you don’t automatically need a replacement. It likely just needs a recharging boost. These are common reasons why your car battery died:
- You left your headlights or interior lights on for too long, maybe overnight.
- Your alternator is on the fritz. The alternator works hand-in-hand with the battery to power electronics.
- Your battery has been subjected to extreme temperatures. The cold winter can hinder a battery’s performance just like the intense summer heat can too.
- The battery is overworked; maybe you are excessively starting your car.
- The battery might be old and faltering in performance.
Types of Car Battery Chargers
Another key aspect of how long you should charge a dead car battery is the type of charger you have. These are the three different types of chargers:
- Linear charger. This charger is a straightforward charger because it charges through a wall socket and plugs in. Perhaps because of its simplicity, it isn’t the fastest charger. To recharge a 12-volt battery, the linear charger can take up to 12 hours.
- Multi-stage charger. This charger is a little pricey, but it can recharge a battery in bursts, which helps reduce long-term damage. Multi-stage chargers can recharge a battery in less than one hour, making them even more worth the price.
- Trickle charger. Trickle chargers often charge AGM batteries, which should not be charged too quickly. But, a trickle charger shouldn’t be used for a dead battery. Therefore, your two best options are between a linear charger and a multi-stage charger.
Find Car Help with Performance Muffler
If you want professional, expert car help, then look no further. The Performance Muffler team is your go-to garage. We’ve been a top custom exhaust shop in the Phoenix area since 2007, and we’ve even grown to have locations in Peoria and Glendale.
Contact us today for a free quote to repair or improve your vehicle.
About Performance Muffler
A garage for people who “get it,” Performance Muffler is where only real car lovers can do work this good. We provide the highest quality “show car” service to all of our clients. View more of our story on our website or browse our blog. We frequently provide automotive advice and insight, such as a guide to stainless steel for custom exhaust fabrication, how to protect your vehicle from excessive sunlight, and much more.