Trickle Charger – Complete guide on How to Use a Trickle Charger

Dealing with a dead car battery when you need your car urgently is not a pleasant experience. You may have faced it in the past, and if you haven’t, there’s a possibility you’ll encounter such situations in the future. That’s why you need a trickle charger, as the device is a sure-fire way to keep your car’s battery charged at all times. This guide will provide you with deep insights on how to use a trickle charger.

What is a Trickle Charger?

A trickle charger is a device that enables you to charge your vehicle’s battery at low amperage. It can be left in a car for long periods to prevent battery depletion. If you don’t drive your car every day, your battery can quickly run down. That won’t happen if you have a trickle charger.

This device supplies a steady stream of power to your vehicle’s battery while it’s parked in your garage. So, even if you rarely drive the car, the battery will not run out. You will never have to deal with a dead battery.

How to Use a Trickle Charger

Now that we have established what a trickle charger is and why you need it let’s talk about how to use it. Here’s a step-by-step guide on how to charge your car battery with a trickle charger.

Credits to Youtube Channel: Smackey’s Garage

Step 1: Prepare Your Car Battery for Charging

The first step is charging your battery, but it’s important to tread with caution before you begin. There are a few safety guidelines you must follow before connecting the charger to your car battery. Your car needs to be parked in a well-ventilated garage free of moisture. Why?

Well, a lot of hydrogen gas is produced when your battery is charging. This can be hazardous, as hydrogen can easily explode in an enclosed space. So, while charging your battery, ensure to turn off your car’s ignition and take the key away.

Step 2: Find a Good Location for Ground

The next step is to choose a suitable ground location and connect the negative terminal to your trickle charger. You’ll need to find a large bolt that connects to the chassis or engine block. Alternatively, you may get a part of the frame that does not have grime, oil, or dirt on it.

Whatever you do, avoid using the battery’s negative terminal. If you do, you’ll put your vehicle at risk of exploding unexpectedly.

Step 3: Attach the Cables (Red and Black Alligator Clips)

Now, it is time to connect the cables. Your trickle charger has two alligator clips (a red clip and a black clip). The red clip is the positive one, and you should attach it to your battery’s positive terminal. Ensure that the clip is tightly connected to the positive terminal before moving on to the black clip.

Connect the black clip to the negative terminal and make sure it is tightly secured. Please avoid touching the wire while your trickle charger is plugged in and switched on. It is a dangerous act that can cause electrocution and even death. In addition, you must keep the wires away from each other.

Step 4: Switch On the Charger

Now, you’re almost done! The next step is to check that everything is connected correctly before turning on the charger. After cross-checking and determining that everything is in order, you should plug in the charger to a power outlet and turn it on.

Step 5: Check the Display

You will need to monitor the display to see if your battery is charging properly. Once your battery gets fully charged, turn off the switch before carefully unplugging the charger.

Conclusion

A trickle charger is a smart investment for people looking for an alternative way to charge their car’s battery. It keeps your battery charged at all times, so you won’t have to deal with a dead battery. The device is easy to use with the few steps we have listed in this article.

Frequently asked questions

How do you connect a trickle charger?

Firstly, you must ensure that the switch in front of the trickle charger is set to the recommended voltage for the battery. Once done, connect the charger’s clips to the battery terminals. Ensure that the red clip is connected to the positive terminal and the black clip to the negative terminal. Now, plug the trickle charger into a power outlet and switch it on.

Is it Okay to Leave the Battery Connected While the Trickle Charger is Plugged?

It depends on the type of trickle charger you’re using. For example, there’s no need to disconnect a conditioning trickle charger’s battery when plugged. But in the case of a full-power charger, you’ll need to unplug the battery.