Did you know that instead of replacing the entire car battery, you can recharge a car battery when your car refuses to start?

On average, most batteries do not require a recharge for at least five years. That's if you're taking good care of your car. Frequent recharges indicate that your car battery is of poor quality or that you are not taking care of your car as well as you should. Some batteries also have a charge indicator where you can find out the state of the battery.

In this article, we'll explore the different signs you have a dead car battery, how to charge your car battery and why you should definitely install a car battery charger in Malaysia.

What are the five common signs of a dead battery in a car?

a) Your car will not start

When you turn the keys, all you get is a ticking or whining sound, and your car will not start. This is a sure sign that your battery is likely dead.

If you face this problem, it is important to refrain from continuously trying to start your car. If it does not work the first or second time, it likely will not work after that, and you could further damage your car battery.

If your car will not start and you have concluded that it is because of a dead battery, the first thing we suggest doing is getting another car to help jump your battery. If anything, a jump start could get you to the store for a new battery or to a mechanic for professional help. Jump starts are not always effective for a long term problem.

b) Your car's "check engine light" is flashing

We all deal with it. It is easy to ignore the flashing of a check engine light, but doing so might prove detrimental to both yourself and your car. If you have any suspicion that your car battery might be functioning unusually, the check engine light could be the confirmation you need to check out the battery.

c) Your car is left idle for too long

If you have a car that you rarely use, perhaps for special occasions or anything else, it might not be great to let it sit for months on end without being driven. Leaving a car unused for long periods can drain the car battery because it has not been active for some time.

If you run into this problem, since the car might have been active for a long period of time, it might not be as simple as jump-starting your car. This may work in some cases, but in others, professional help might be required. An idle car can be easily damaged by corrosion, alternator trouble, or even severe weather.

Guidelines on how to recharge your car battery at home

1. Firstly, acquire a trickle charger

This device delivers electricity to your battery from a power outlet in a slow, steady stream. You don't need to charge your car fast. A slow charge is much better, as batteries tend to hold the charge for a longer period of time with this method. The trickle charger has an electric cord with a plug and two jumper cables with alligator clips.

2. Clean the battery terminals

Check the terminals of the battery and clean them. Remember that you should not touch the terminals if they are covered with a white powder. This is dried sulphuric acid and it can burn your skin if you touch it with your bare hands. Use a manual sandpaper pad to wipe around the terminals, or get a wet cloth and apply a layer of baking soda (sodium bicarbonate) to the cloth. Take care not to allow the solution to make contact with skin and clothing. Rub the terminals down with your removal system, and ensure that they are ready to receive the wires.

3. Remove the cell caps

On many batteries, you will see a series of small caps. These are known as cell caps, and they have to be removed before you can use a battery charger. These caps are either on the very top of the battery, or under a yellow strip which can be peeled on and off, some may have no caps at all. If your battery does have cell caps, they must be removed before you begin charging, otherwise gases created by charging will not be able to escape into the atmosphere.

4. Attach the charger cables

Make sure that the car is turned off and then attach the cables or the wires to the battery terminals. The charger will have two wires. The red wire has to be connected to the red or positive terminal (it might be labelled the POS terminal on the battery). The other is connected to the negative terminal or the terminal marked as NEG. Make sure that the two wires don't touch each other. This is because the wires will spark when they touch, causing ignition of the hydrogen gas that surrounds the battery. You could suffer nasty burns or even cause an explosion.

5. Turn on the charger

Once both the terminals are connected, connect the charger to the electric outlet. Turn on the current and the battery will charge itself. Leave the charger on overnight. In the morning, turn off the charger and then check the reading on it. If the reading is less than an ampere then you can unplug the charger.

6. Check the battery

After recharging, check the battery to find out whether it works. Use a hydrometer to find out the amount of electric energy in the fluid or turn on the engine. If the battery still does not turn on, then you might have to get it replaced.

Why you should definitely buy and install a car battery charger at home?

• They maintain batteries between uses. They’re a great tool for maintaining batteries in storage, letting you keep a back-up when you know your current battery is toward the end of its life.

• They often have battery restoration functions. Many modern smart chargers do more than just charge up your battery. They also often feature Recovery or Desulfation programs, which use a low-level energy pulse to remove sulfur deposits from the plates of the battery. You can use these programs to return a damaged battery to its full capacity in many cases.

• They’re not just for car batteries. There are a lot of different car battery chargers out there, and many are quite versatile. Some will charge 6-volt batteries for power tools and recreational vehicles, for example. Others have USB ports or outlets that let you charge other devices while charging your battery. These helpful extras sometimes cost a bit more, but they can turn a simple battery charger into an all-purpose power station for your garage.

• They’re helpful in an emergency. While battery chargers are intended for long-term, slow charging, you can find models that also offer “jump” or “boost” modes. A portable battery charger with this option can be a lifesaver if your battery dies while you’re away from home.

Rain or shine, day or night, Ex Power delivers car batteries or repair services to your doorstep

Facing car battery issues? With Ex Power's all-day roadside assistance, you'll have immediate car battery repair and replacement services exactly when and where you need them! Our services come with:

✓ Free installation

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Check us out at https://www.expower.com.my/ or call us now at +6010 888 9166