How to Charge a Car Battery With the NAPA Outdoorsman
by Arthur Barnhouse
Perhaps you forgot to turn off your parking lights, you have an old battery or maybe your alternator is going bad. For whatever reason, car batteries need to be recharged from time to time. Thus, if you wake up to find that your battery is dead, a charger suddenly becomes an essential piece of equipment. The NAPA Outdoorsman battery charger is more than capable of handling the task. A 6-amp charger suited for all 12-volt car batteries, the NAPA Outdoorsman will bring your car back to life in no time.
Step 1
Clean the posts and terminals on your car battery using a post and terminal cleaner. Remove any corrosion and dirt, as this will ensure that the NAPA charger has the best connection possible.
Step 2
Check the battery’s cells by removing the cell caps on top of the battery. There should be enough water to cover the bottom of the filler holes. If the battery is low, add distilled water to the cells; enough to fill the bottom of the hole.
Step 3
Make sure all of the switches are turned off on your NAPA Outdoorsman battery charger and plug it into an outlet. Use an extension cord if you must. Also check that all of your vehicle’s switches are turned off, including the radio and interior lights. All doors should be shut.
Step 4
Place the charger as far from the battery as possible; as far as the charger’s cables will allow, while within reach of the battery.
Step 5
Connect the positive clamp of the NAPA charger to the positive terminal on the battery (most often red and/or marked with a plus symbol).
Step 6
Connect the negative clamp of the NAPA Outdoorsman charger to the negative terminal on the battery (usually black and/or marked with a minus symbol). Twist the clamps on the terminals, ensuring that they have a good, tight connection.
Step 7
Turn on your NAPA Outdoorsman charger. You should see the indicator light showing that the battery is charging. Allow the battery to charge and check back frequently. Depending on how severely drained your battery is, it will take anywhere from a few hours up to 10 hours for it to be fully charged. When it is done charging, the indicator light should show that the battery is charged.
Step 8
Turn off your NAPA charger and unhook the clamps after the battery is fully charged. Start your vehicle and allow it to run for a few minutes.
References
Things You'll Need
- Battery post and terminal cleaning tool
- Distilled water (if battery is low on water)
- Extension cord (optional)
Writer Bio
Arthur Barnhouse has written numerous short stories, contributed content to various websites and was an invited speaker at a university symposium on creative writing. He began writing in 2002 and holds a Bachelor of Arts in English literature from the University of Pittsburgh. Barnhouse has driven across the United States numerous times and draws upon his travel experiences in his writing.
