What should be the correct voltage of a car battery? Check how to measure battery voltage? What do you need a meter and multimeter for?

Many people know about the battery only that it exists, and whether the car will start depends on its charge. Relatively rarely, drivers think about its functioning. Are you one of those who know what a rectifier, meter or voltage meter is? If you take care of the appropriate battery charge, electrolyte level or battery voltage, you can significantly extend its life and save on battery replacement. In addition, you can avoid problems in winter and unpleasant surprises with receivers connected to the installation. How to check if a car battery is fully functional? Read!

Battery voltage - what you need to know

Not all starter batteries have the same longevity. Some users replace this element almost every year. Others can use a similar model for years without ever complaining about problems with ignition, charging or operation of electrical appliances. Both the performance of a battery and the rate at which it wears out depends largely on how the vehicle is used. Intermittent use and driving primarily in the city (i.e. short distances) will significantly shorten the life of such a battery. Quiet driving over long distances means optimal charging current and long trouble-free operation.

What is the battery voltage?

An element that allows you to charge the battery while driving is an alternator. It is connected by a belt to the engine and, during operation, recharges a car battery with a voltage of about 12 V. However, this is not a charger that generates a large current, therefore, when driving short distances, it practically does not replenish the lost energy. to start the engine. As a result, it can constantly undercharge, which leads to faster wear of the car battery. Additional accessories added by users may drain the battery too quickly (especially when stationary). Fortunately, with a simple meter or multimeter, you can quickly diagnose problems. What should be the optimal battery voltage?

Check what the correct battery voltage should be! Why is it important?

To measure battery performance (such as voltage) you can use a relatively cheap tool, which is a multimeter. This is a simple measuring device, the cost of which should not exceed several tens of zlotys. The device will allow you to measure the voltage of the battery, measure the consumption and current strength, and even help calculate the battery capacity. Working with it is quite simple and even a person with no experience can handle it. The tester attached to the battery should show a value as close as possible to 12,8 V. This is how many new copies leaving the factory have.

Use a voltmeter! When the charging voltage is too low?

The voltage level of a charged used battery should be between 12,5 and 12,8 volts.

1. If the voltmeter shows between 12 and 12,5 volts, charge it to the optimum value.
2. However, if the rest value is below 12V or 11,8V, the battery should be charged immediately with a properly configured charger.
3. Then it is also worth measuring the parking current, which should not exceed 0,05 A. Higher values ​​indicate a problem with the electrical installation or the battery itself.

When should you pay special attention to a car battery?

The charge level or the 12V battery voltage are issues that are especially important for drivers in winter. At sub-zero temperatures, the load on the battery at startup is extremely high, so any irregularities will make themselves felt. If the car is parked outside at night, it leads to a deep chill. The starting current required to start the motor is particularly high, resulting in faster wear and frequent starting problems.

What is a multimeter used for? How to measure battery voltage correctly?

Check the state of charge and voltage of the battery with the engine off. For detailed information about your model, please refer to the enclosed manual.

1. It is usually necessary to clean the terminals and connect both appropriate multimeter cables to them.
2. The best time to measure battery voltage is about half an hour after turning off the engine or disconnecting the battery from the charger.
3. The multimeter itself should be set to measure up to 20 volts (if you don't want to measure the truck battery at 24 volts, then set it to 200 volts).
4. After the value stabilizes, you will get the final result.

How to safely charge the battery?

If the results indicate the need for charging, it is worth adjusting the current on the battery. Charging current above 10% of battery capacity is generally not recommended. This will take a long time (especially if it is already sufficiently drained), but it ensures that the whole process goes smoothly and allows the battery to return to full capacity without any problems. Regular care for maintaining the voltage within the recommended limits, as well as monitoring the electrolyte level (if there is a serviceable battery equipped with plugs) is the key to long and trouble-free operation.

If you want to avoid unnecessary replacement costs, take care of the correct battery voltage.You will be sure that your car will not let you down even on the coldest morning.