What Charges a Car Battery?

There are two ways to charge a car battery: with the alternator, or with anexternal charger.

Under normal circumstances, the alternator charges the battery whenever the engine is running.

Two people charging a car battery

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When a battery dies, then an external charger is the best way to charge it back up.

When this happens, power stored in the battery will pick up the slack.

How Much Charge Can a Battery Hold?

When in doubt, unplug it.

Connect the positive lead from the charger to the positive terminal on your battery.

Connect the negative cable on the charger to a good ground.

Set your battery charger to the appropriate voltage and amperage.