How Do You Use a Trickle Charger?


Quick Answer

A trickle charger is used to constantly charge a car battery at the same rate at which the battery self-dissipates its charge. A trickle charger is used by connecting the positive cable of the charger to the positive end of the battery and connecting the negative cable to an available ground source.

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Full Answer

  1. Find a suitable place for the car

    Prior to setting up the battery for charging, find a suitable place to leave the car during the charging period. The place selected should be properly ventilated and free of rain.

  2. Set the voltage and amperage of the charger

    Each battery dissipates its charge at a fixed rate, depending on the battery's specifications. Find the appropriate voltage and amperage of the battery from the manual for that particular type of battery, and set the values accordingly in the trickle charger by adjusting the switches.

  3. Connect the positive cable to the battery

    Trickle chargers usually have a black and a red cable, and the red cable is typically the positive cable. Attach this positive cable to the positive end of the battery through the clip at the end of the cable.

  4. Connect the negative cable to a ground source

    The negative cable of the charger must be connected to an appropriate ground source. Ideally, the engine block or any bolt attached to the car's chassis is a suitable option for this purpose. Under no condition should the negative cable be attached to the battery because it could lead to an explosion.

  5. Turn on the charger

    After setting the voltage and amperage on the charger and attaching the cables to the appropriate positions, turn on the charger by plugging it into a power source and switching it on.

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