Can I charge a car battery......

[punch*drunk]

.....while its still in the car??

Or should I disconnect it and take it out before I put it on the charger?

[kopenhagen5]

No need to take it out, disconnect the terminals (which may not be necessary also but with computers being sensitive, I don't take the chance) and connect the charger to the terminals. Preferably charge overnight.

[monman12]

Yes.

[punch*drunk]

Thanks kopenhagen. I'd connected it all and turned on the charger before I realised it may not be the right thing to do.

Will go back out and try and disconnect terminals............or maybe just wait till my husband gets home to do it for me :8} 😄

[punch*drunk]

Yes.

To which question?

[carls*world]

Yes.

I concur.

[kopenhagen5]

If the terminals are still on and the charger is faulty letting the transformer surge more power than needed, it could pop a few things in the car. (car power is 12 volts and house is 240 volts)

Unlikely but can happen. 🙂

[monman12]

However, remember that some modern vehicles have electronic systems that need to be reset after the battery has gone flat or been disconnected.

[kopenhagen5]

Good point monman, therefor I would probably check the manual to see if disconnecting the terminals is suggested or not.

[punch*drunk]

If the terminals are still on and the charger is faulty letting the transformer surge more power than needed, it could pop a few things in the car. (car power is 12 volts and house is 240 volts)

Unlikely but can happen. 🙂

Thanks 🙂

That makes sense, I was kind of thinking along the lines that you leave it all connected to jumpstart, but then thats also coming from a 12v battery.

I have a jumpstart pack, but thats not getting it started. The battery only read 6v when I had it on the charger. If I could find the jumper leads, I'd jump it with my car, maybe I'll find those while I'm looking for a spanner 😄