How to Charge a Battery with a Generator
by William Kinsey
Whether cold weather from a blizzard has caused a car battery to run down, or the battery has died in an isolated location, batteries sometimes need charging when AC power from a home or garage is not available. Fortunately, you can also use a gas generator to recharge a battery, if you also have access to a battery charger. The generator produces the AC power needed by the battery charger, and the battery charger then converts the AC power to DC power to charge the battery.
Step 1
Check the fluid levels in the generator. Correct any that are low. Connect the red positive wire from the battery charger to the positive terminal of the battery. Connect the black negative wire from the battery charger to the negative terminal of the battery.
Step 2
Verify that the battery charger is turned off. Start the generator by pulling the start cord or using the starter switch.Once the generator starts wait a minute or two for the engine speed and voltage to stabilize. Waiting for the speed and voltage to stabilize is important because it helps to keep voltage spikes from damaging equipment connected to the generator, such as the battery charger.
Step 3
Plug the battery charger into the 110-120 volt AC outlet on the generator. Turn the battery charger to the "on" position. The battery charger and generator should be charging the battery.
Things You'll Need
- Gas generator
- Battery charger
- Gas
Writer Bio
William Kinsey lives in Concord, N.C. He started writing articles in March 2009, which have appeared on Autos.com and CarsDirect.com. He currently holds a Bachelor of Science in electrical engineering from the University of North Carolina at Charlotte and a Master of Business Administration from the University of Phoenix. He also has several years experience as an outside plant engineer and planner with AT&T. He also currently owns and operates Sophisticated Curves, an online fashion mall that caters to the needs of plus size women.
