Tips And Advices - Prevent Overcharging Electric Cars

Track changes in commuting distance to indicate problems with your battery. Seek solutions for overcharging when you notice a steady decrease in distance per charge.

Monitor the temperatures in your garage and electric car to prevent battery problems. A hot and humid garage can cause fluctuations in your charger that make overcharging a possibility.

Switch in a replacement battery as you replenish your primary battery on a high-voltage charger. A charger designed for electric car batteries can help you regulate charging levels.

Utilize a digital timer to determine the minimum amount of time needed to charge your electric car. Electric cars that are left to charge overnight may have reduced performance due to worn-out batteries. Keep a chart of charging times in your garage as a reminder for when to get a new battery.

Engage in periodic charging of your electric car to boost battery power. You can use equal periods of charging and noncharging time as a way to prolong the life of your battery.

Open the hood, trunk and doors during charging to prevent heat buildup in your electric car. This small step can reduce vehicle temperature by allowing fresh air in. Leave your garage door open for part of the charging period to give your battery some cool-down time.

Replace the motor controller if you encounter uneven power distribution in your electric car. A defective motor controller fails to regulate the current from the battery to the motor, which can lead to overheating and power overloads.

Consult with an electric car mechanic if you encounter frequent overcharging in your battery. A mechanic can use diagnostic equipment on your battery, motor and other parts to determine the source of overcharging before you cause serious damage to your car.