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Just checking with the mechanically inclined out there...if your car is jump started, and then you drive it for 30 minutes,

does it ALSO need to have its battery removed and charged with an electric house charger? That's what my friend says MUST be done, and he is making fun of me for believing that all I have to do is drive the car to charge the battery.

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LoneVoice

No. If your battery is good, your alternator and charging system is working properly, the car will charge the battery and keep it charged.

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4meAndyou · F

@PhoenixPhail Just at the end of the pandemic, when my mechanic finally re-opened, I took the car down there and they discovered there was nothing wrong with my battery. I had a bad alternator at that time, and they fixed it. It should still be good. It's only been about a year.

Thank you for the tip about gas. I am going to get blistered. My friend never replaced 1/2 tank of gas he used, and I don't want to waste what little I have left...but if I say that, he will be nasty, I am sure.

PhoenixPhail · M

@4meAndyou I'm glad you got the problem solved.

Anyone who would get angry about your asking him to replace the gas he used, doesn't sound like much of a friend. If it were I who were graciously allowed to use your car, I would replace the gas without even asking, and top of the tank just for that much use of the car.

4meAndyou · F

@PhoenixPhail He did...the first time. The second time he borrowed my car he forgot. I figure we are even now...I am not going to ask him for the gas, because he was kind enough to drive over here and give me a jump.

Thinkerbell · 41-45, F

You certainly need to do more than drive for 30 minutes to fully recharge the battery.
You can do it overnight with a home battery charger.

But you also need to get your battery checked... it might be on its last legs and need to be replaced.

Slade · 56-60, M

@Thinkerbell needs to be checked with a diagnostic tool.

Hmm, I wonder if you could use that on vibrator batts? 🤔

Thinkerbell · 41-45, F

@Slade

Maybe with an MRI machine.

Slade · 56-60, M

@Thinkerbell naughty faery!

😉

Heartlander · 80-89, M

I think the answer may be both yes and no. That is, it may be different depending on the make and model. Also, it depends on why you needed a jump-start in the first place. It could be because of corroded terminal connections, so for the same reasons why the battery wasn't sufficient to start your engine, the generator isn't charging the battery sufficiently.

Also, some cars are difficult to charge when the battery runs down too low. Our old Maxima was one of those. Forget to turn off the lights and 5 hours later even a jumpstart was difficult.

The battery doesn't have to be removed to charge it independently, just disconnect the terminals. Also clean them before reconnecting.

Oh ... also hybrids aren't the same. The tiny "starter" battery is there simply to close a relay to the main power battery.

4meAndyou · F

@Heartlander I let the car sit, since last March at least, and didn't go downstairs to start it up. I can't afford to buy gas lately...paying massive sums to my charge cards, and now I am paying the price for being negligent.

JohnnySpot · 56-60, M

You don't have to remove the battery to charge it with the charger. Alternator will recharge your battery once it started. The rectangular cap on top of your battery covers the cells, cells should be filled 3/4 with water, if one of the cells is dry the battery is going bad.

4meAndyou · F

Update: My friend jumped my car with a battery he had on the back of his truck. It started right up! Then he borrowed my house keys and went in and used the facilities, which took about 15-20 minutes, and in the meantime I ran the car on idle so that it wouldn't die the moment I put it into gear.

He invited me to his house for dinner, so he drove behind me to make sure nothing happened on the way. We arrived at his house, and he had a very slow trickle charger, that ran off his home's electric. It also had a gauge, which showed the battery was half charged.

He wanted to sit outside, but I began to feel unwell from not being able to breathe, and ended up going back home. Total driving time was about 40 to 45 minutes...so I believe my battery is fully charged.

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Heartlander · 80-89, M

@4meAndyou You should have an even better clue the next day if the car starts. That means the battery held the charge, at least overnight, and that there are probably no significant leaks.

Whyme · 46-50, M

@4meAndyou you should be good thats just what i do to check them quick another issue possable but harder to test is the regulator sticking open which drains the battery when the car isnt running but as long as its good now your prob good

4meAndyou · F

@Heartlander @Whyme Thank you both!

Peril · F

If you keep on driving after the battery is fully charged the car is likely to explode, so be careful.

UnderLockDown · M

If your alternator is charging, and the battery is good, just drive the car for a while. Stay close to home until you are sure. if you have a voltage meter, check the battery terminals while the vehicle is both off and running. If the alternator is charging the voltage will be a bit higher while running.

UnderLockDown · M

@UnderLockDown Make sure the battery terminals are clean.

Onestarlitnight

If the battery isn't holding a charge it could be worn out .. if you only drive for short periods and the battery keeps dying its probably time to change it.
A charger might extend its life for a few months ..

4meAndyou · F

@Onestarlitnight My battery is fine. I have only driven the car once since February, and I forgot to go down and run it to keep it charged.

Onestarlitnight

@4meAndyou
Letting it sit for so long can be an issue..
A good long drive might be a good idea to make sure it charges completely.

4meAndyou · F

@Onestarlitnight A mechanic once told me that a 40 to 45 minute drive would do it. It takes about 20 to 30 minutes to drive to my friend's house.

Scarfface · 46-50, M

It'll probably charge up but you should drive the long way to places for a week or so.
The 30 minutes might not charge it fully.
Ideally you should charge it overnight but I think you'll be ok.

Driver2 · M

If the charging system is working and the battery is not completely dead , yes you should be fine .
You can have the charging system and the battery checked.

Whyme · 46-50, M

Really depends what killed the battery to begin with theres lotsa possibilities but assuming the battery is ok and ya just left a light on ya you will be fine

Changeisgonnacome · 61-69, F

If your alternator is not working, you would have to do that. Otherwise it does charge when you drive.

WandererTony · 56-60, M

If the battery is charging while driving, thats good . You dont need to charge separately

Stillwaiting · M

Its best to do as he suggests vs just 30 min of driving, but you might get away with it

James1956 · 61-69, M

Assuming everything is working correctly the battery will charge with driving.

Nayla · 56-60, F

Not for a regular car. I don’t know about electric cars

nightowl99

Some good advice given here today I think! Looks pretty legit

Nebula · 41-45, F

Ive never heard of that

4meAndyou · F

@Nebula If he gets nasty with me about it, I am not going over to his house. I will thank him for helping me with the jump, and then I will just run the car.

Nebula · 41-45, F

@4meAndyou yeah, that sounds like a good plan

Spumoni · 46-50, M

Just drive

SW-User

No, you just drive it enough to charge the battery back up

SW-User

I've never heard of that before. As far as I am aware, you just need to jump start it and then drive it for a bit.

4meAndyou · F

@SW-User That's what I have always done. I sure don't appreciate him mocking me and asking me if I am a mechanic because it has always worked before....you just drive the car!

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4meAndyou · F

@Stereoguy Actually, I probably got 45 minutes of actual driving in.

This message was deleted by its author.

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Whyme · 46-50, M

@MarmeeMarch just a bad joke dont worry bout it

This message was deleted by its author.

Whyme · 46-50, M

@MarmeeMarch lol she might be heavy n dirty too i dunno lol glad your supporting her should i call you pops ?

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