Can i charge my car battery without unhooking the cables?

Answer 1

You absolutely can.

NOTE: You are just talking about the regular battery cables in the vehicle and nothing else, right? Because if you've got battery cables hooked up to your nipples or whatever, definitely unhook those before charging.

You didn't say exactly what those cables are hooked up to, so I'm just looking out for your safety.

Answer 2

If you mean can I hook up the charger to the battery as it sits in the car and charge it? YES you can.. The charger needs to be a 10Amp12Volt charger, nothing less will do. You can charge it overnight if you want. as the current flow(Amps) slows down to like 1 or 2 amps as the battery gets fuller. In the winter, it is just as good as using a block heater.


45+year mechanic

Answer 3

Keeping the battery connected to the vehicle is perfectly safe for the vehicle and battery.

Answer 4

You can get a portable charger, but if by "cables" you mean jumpercables, then no you can't

Answer 5

I'm 78 and I have charged hundreds of batteries and there is no need to remove the cables when you do.

I wouldn't charge more than 10 amps though and it will take a few hours to charge.

Answer 6

Yes, minding the advice of Original Peter G and thebax2006 that it is better with the cables disconnected.

My concern is for the battery itself. Needing to be charged is a sign of trouble... trouble that is likely to come back. If the lights were left on and the battery is more than two years old it is not likely to last through the winter. I recommend getting the battery tested and replaced if necessary (I know it is right after Christmas, but those are the breaks). The winter has only begun.

Answer 7

Yes you can. However it's best to take the cables off and clean the battery posts and the inside area of the cable clamps to make sure you have good connections before charging the battery. It takes a good 6 hours to charge the battery with the charger set to 12 volts, 10 amps.

Answer 8

Yes

Answer 9

Sure. It's the same thing the alternator does when the engine is running.

Answer 10

What exactly do you mean by not unhooking the cables?