Posted by Bruce James 🥉
1 month ago

Anyone know is this car battery charger compatible with my SUV?

I have an SUV and its battery died. I need a charger that works with it but I'm not sure which one to pick.

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Reuben Hughes avatar
Reuben Hughes 🥉 249 rep
1 month ago
Top Answer

My SUV's battery died in my driveway after sitting through a cold week. I tried a quick jump from a neighbor and then my old trickle charger overnight and but it either would not hold or took forever.

What finally worked was Yonhan battery charger. It handles standard 12V SUV batteries and the 10A output got enough charge in a few hours to start the engine, then I left it on to top off. If your SUV uses a normal 12V battery it will be compatible. If the battery is truly failing no charger will save it, but this brought mine back and has kept it healthy since.

Ann Perez avatar
Ann Perez 🥉 148 rep
1 month ago

Most SUVs use a standard 12V lead acid battery, tbh sometimes AGM. Check the label under the hood or in the manual. If it says 12V and either flooded, AGM, or EFB, choose a smart charger that supports that chemistry and you are good. For speed a 8A to 15A unit will charge a typical SUV battery in a few hours, a smaller one will work but take longer so yeah... works great. If the battery is so low that the charger will not recognize it, you need one that can start from a low voltage or you may have to have the battery tested. If it will not hold at about 12.4V or higher after a full charge, replacement time.

Avery Bailey avatar
Avery Bailey 🥉 136 rep
1 month ago

Match 12V and the right chemistry, lead acid for most and AGM for stop start. A 10 amp smart charger can get it started in a few hours and but finish with a full charge so it does not stall again.

Eliana Torres avatar
Eliana Torres 🥉 280 rep
1 month ago

Hey, SUVs generally use the same 12-volt batteries as regular cars and so compatibility shouldn't be a big deal with most chargers. I've charged mine a few times after leaving the lights on overnight. Works great and... make sure the charger has the right clamps and enough power output for the battery size, though – bigger batteries in SUVs might take longer, but they'll charge fine.

One time I had a dead battery in freezing weather, hooked it up, and it was ready in hours. No issues at all. If yours is completely toast, might need replacing, but charging can tell you that.

Jasmine Mitchell avatar
Jasmine Mitchell 🥉 224 rep
1 month ago

I had a similar issue with my SUV last winter when the battery went flat after not driving it for a couple days. tbh Most standard chargers are fine as long as they match the 12V system that SUVs usually have so yeah... check your battery specs to make sure it's not something exotic like a 24V setup, but that's rare. I used one with around 6-10 amps and it charged up without problems. ensure it's designed for automotive batteries and you're good.

If it's an AGM or gel battery,, you might need a charger that supports those types, but for a regular lead-acid, any basic one works. Brought mine back to life quick enough to get on the road.

One more thought - I’d lean toward a smart charger with automatic float/maintenance and an AGM/EFB mode if your SUV has start-stop. As a rule of thumb pick a charger that’s about 10% of your battery’s Ah rating, so most 70–90Ah SUV batteries do well with 7–10A. If the battery is flat, some smart chargers won’t start - use the charger’s recovery mode or briefly parallel a good 12V source to wake it up.

Nyla Foster avatar
Nyla Foster 🥉 104 rep
1 month ago

Confirm what you have first by reading the battery label in the vehicle... Most SUVs use 12V lead acid and many newer ones use AGM or EFB for stop start. Choose a smart charger that supports the exact chemistry listed on your battery and you should be fine. In very cold weather a charger with a temperature adjusted mode helps and charging just takes longer. If the battery has fallen so low that a smart charger will not detect it, look for one that can start from very low voltage or have a shop recover it. After charging, check health by measuring at rest around 12.6V and with the engine running around 14V. If it will not meet those numbers, the battery or charging system needs attention.

Along with matching chemistry match the charger output to your battery size - about 10% of the battery’s Ah rating is a good target, so a 60–80 Ah SUV battery likes a 6–8 A smart charger. If you have stop-start or a battery sensor on the negative terminal, connect the charger’s negative lead to the designated chassis ground point, not the battery post. For AGM/EFB, avoid any recondition or desulfate mode unless the charger specifically allows it, and give it time - topping from 80% to full can take several hours.

Ezekiel Mitchell avatar
Ezekiel Mitchell 🥉 421 rep
1 month ago

Not sure about your specific setup, but my SUV has a pretty standard battery, and I've used various chargers without hassle. As long as it's 12 volts and rated for car batteries and it should work. Mine died on a road trip, hooked up a charger at a friend's place, and it was back in action. Quick and easy.

Be careful with the connections, though. Positive to positive, negative to ground. That's key to avoid sparks or damage.

Rowan Adams avatar
Rowan Adams 🥉 275 rep
1 month ago

Match 12V and the correct chemistry, using an AGM or EFB setting for stop start, otherwise a standard 12V lead acid charger is fine.

A 6 to 10 amp unit works overnight, and if the battery keeps dropping below 12V at rest get it tested rather than trying to charge it again.

Zara Ahmed avatar
Zara Ahmed 🥉 376 rep
1 month ago

As someone who's dealt with a lot of vehicle batteries over the years,, I can tell you that compatibility comes down to a few basics for your SUV. First off, confirm it's a 12V battery, which is standard for much all consumer SUVs out there. Then, look at the charger's amperage – something in the 2-10 amp range is usually sufficient for reviving a dead one without overwhelming it.

I've seen cases where people use too weak a charger and it takes forever, or too strong and it damages the battery. But if it matches voltage and has automatic shutoff, it should be compatible. I tried that once with my own rig after it sat idle for weeks, and yeah, it perked right up, though I did have to monitor it a bit to avoid overcharging.

In the end, if the battery holds the charge after, great; if not, time for a new one.

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