Car battery charging current.

[Andy Burns]

It's not so much the bum warming, as the lower back warming, that I appreciate

[williamwright]

I have a 10A charger that has a rather low no-load voltage of 13.3V, so it starts at a low rate and stops when the battery is only half charged. The only way it produces 10A is by connecting it to a 6V battery! (in the few seconds before it cuts off). In other words it's a pile of s**te. I ought to chuck it really; don't know why I don't because it's use to neither man nor beast. It's red with a 10A meter on the front.

I used to have a little encapsulated charger that was rated at 2A and actually charged at around 2.2A all night. I never checked but I bet the output was about 15.5V. I once left it on for a weekend and the battery was bubbling on the Monday morning. This was a long time ago. I'm talking about the days when I had to charge the battery every night in winter because I was driving home from college and then school with the lights and wipers on.

Bill

[Bob Eager]

Me too. Cold morniing and the back is stiff. When I used to have to get in the car and go to work, it was brilliant.

And I've never paid for them. I ordered a specific set of options as a factory build, and it turns out that forces a particular control panel that includes seat heating.

[Fredxx]

In recent years I have not come accross a voltage regulator external to the alternator, or a sense wire connected to the battery.

If you can find such a car you're doing very well and something you would need if you ever intended to overcome voltage drop between the alternator and battery.

Would you care to provide an example to backup your strange claim?

[Fredxx]

I have a 6V charger that has similar behaviour. However if it is connected to a 6V Lead Acid battery it performs as a smart charger, where it charges at a relatively low current up to 7V and then falls back to a float charge. It has LEDs to indicate the charging process.

So far the batteries have lasted nearly 5 years, so must be doing something right.

[The Natural Philosopher]

Bill Don't be silly. Look it up.

You are making a fool of yourself.

#

[Dave Plowman (News)]

The alternator runs at a higher speed than a dynamo, so needs a different pulley anyway. Although not sure a dynamo one would fit an alternator shaft.

[Dave Plowman (News)]

In the front of my car. But the engine is in the middle. ;-)

[Dave Plowman (News)]

I live in Central London, so hardly the coldest part of the country. This car is the first I've had with heated seats. And now simply wouldn't be without them.

One of the things you only miss after having it.

[Dave Plowman (News)]

You need the Lidl one. About £13. Small enough to fit in a large pocket. Charges full blast until the battery is full, then changes automatically to a maintenance charge which can be left on indefinitely. It's got enough output to charge a 70 amp hour battery overnight.

[AnthonyL]

Reminds me of my Dad's reaction when the 6v battery under the driver's seat of an Austin 12 shorted.

My battery was fine.

[AnthonyL]

[Dave Plowman (News)]

Have you got a DVM? Check the battery voltage?

It'll be fine after only such a short time.

[Joshua Snow]

You can get the same result by hitting the engine start for a very brief time a few times without hitting it for long enough to actually start the engine.

[tabbypurr]

those are hazardous. Ladas & 2CVs were the last cars with them sold here afaik

NT

[Paul]

Is the "standby" symbol #15 lit ?

Paul

[AnthonyL]

[AnthonyL]

[AnthonyL]

[tabbypurr]

13.68 is a healthy charging voltage. 12.7 is low.

NT