How to Charge a 12 Volt Battery

Charging a 12-volt battery is easy as long as the battery does not have any dead cells. These dead cells can prevent a battery from holding a charge. If you have a battery that does not hold a charge well, you may need to have it checked.

1. Use a car battery charger. Hook the dead battery to the car battery charger by connecting the correct cable to the correct port. You will then need to select a setting. Normally, you can choose between rapid charge, medium charge, or trickle charge. Trickle is the slowest charge setting, and it allows the battery to withstand the longest charge. The rapid charge is good if you are in a hurry.


2. Jump the battery's charge with jumper cables. This is not a preferred method, but it is great when you are in hard situation, such as being stranded on the side of the road. Hook the red clamp on the positive terminal and the black clamp on the negative terminal on both your dead battery and on the battery in which you are receiving the charge. It may take a few minutes for the charge to come through the cables. This will only last a little while if you battery is no good. You should have it tested as soon as possible.


3. Charge the battery with the car. You will do this by cranking the vehicle with a good battery and then removing it while the ignition is still on. You will then place the dead battery on the car. If the battery is good the car will charge the battery.