Honda Car Forum

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Mike T. wrote:
>>I just gave you several.
>>
>>Anyway, a search on line reveals that a 4-cylinder Toyota typically
>>draws 130-150 amps during starting. Say it draws 150 amps for 15
>>seconds; that's 37 amp-minutes. The smallest Toyota alternator has an
>>output of 40 amps. Even assuming a miserable 50% charge efficiency
>>(70% is more typical) and 10amps to run the accessories, it'll have
>>the battery topped off within 3 minutes. That's a fast 8 miles...
>
>
> If car batteries were recharged at a 10Amp rate frequently, they wouldn't
> last very long. The recharge is more likely limited to 5 or 6Amps, maximum.
> 2 or 3Amps would be ideal. I know that 10Amp battery chargers are common,
> but it wouldn't be a good idea to use them on the same battery on a daily
> basis. -Dave
>
>

There is no current-limiting on any car's charging system, other than
the fact that when you jam 30+ amps into a battery, it builds up a
back-voltage very quickly. The voltage regulator puts between 13.8 and
14.5 volts across the battery's terminals, and however much current the
battery will take is what flows into it.

A battery that's just been discharged by an engine start is not very
deeply discharged, and the few seconds of large inrush current doesn't
hurt it. But this is exactly why a DEEPLY discharged battery should
(ideally) be recharged by a plug-in current-regulated charger and NOT
the car's non-current-limited charging system.