Yes, it is possible to charge your car battery using your car’s alternator, but it may take several hours and can be inefficient, as it wastes fuel. Additionally, running your car at idle speeds for an extended period of time to charge your battery can cause the battery to discharge. This is because your car’s electrical components, such as an alarm system or stereo, use power even when they are in the “off” mode. 

Each cell in a car battery produces around 2 volts of energy, and most car batteries have six cells, resulting in a 12-volt battery. The plates in the battery are submerged in sulphuric acid, which acts as a catalyst to convert chemical energy into electricity. The battery stores energy and then transforms it into electrical energy when it is needed. 

In order to recharge a battery, the car must produce more energy than it consumes. This is done by the alternator, which is a generator of electric power in a car and is a major component of the vehicle’s charging system. When the engine is running at ample rpm’s, the alternator charges the battery and supplies additional electric power for the vehicle’s electrical system.

The best way to maintain a car battery is to drive the car for at least 10 miles at 30-40 mph for 30 minutes. This allows the alternator to charge the battery and supply power to the car’s electrical system. Short drives of less than 10 miles will not fully charge the battery. Additionally, leaving the car idle for long periods of time can put stress on the system. To avoid this, you can use a trickle charger, which is a car battery charger designed to be left on a car for a long period of time to recharge the battery.

Advanced Home Watch offers a Concierge Service where we will drive your car along a predetermined route of your choice in order to sufficiently charge the battery or monitor your self-installed trickle charge to ensure that it is functioning properly. Ask Advanced Home Watch for more information or visit us at www.advancedhomewatch.com.  

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Advanced Home Watch, (941) 218-0008