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When charging flat battery from other car why do you need to put your low lights on?
Wiki User
∙ 14y ago
In over 60 years of maintaining my own and others cars and pickups, I've never heard of the practice of turning headlights on while "jump" charging an auto battery.
I am a longtime electrical/electronics hobbyist, and SUSPECT that turning headlights on while charging from another vehicle is to provide some load to "use up" some of the current [normally measured in Amperes (Amps)].
By adding the load of the headlights, one would think that the output current of the charging vehicle's alternator would be reduced, thus lowering the charge rate to the battery being charged.
I can only guess that the purpose would be to slow down the charge rate, and thus reduce heat and Hydrogen gas generation in the charging battery.
There is a problem with this idea in that the voltage regulation system in the charging vehicle WILL [or should] SENSE the reduced charging voltage, and in response, will just increase the output voltage, and thus the current to the charging battery.
In effect, this "trick" is worthless. Just charge the battery with the lights OFF as this will accomplish the charging in a shorter time.
Wiki User
∙ 14y ago
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There is not set amount of time. It would depend on such factors as the power drawn by the lights, the rating and condition of the battery and the temperature.
What does the battery do in a car?
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1995 subaru impreza just clicks when you turn the key the battery is new?
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