Every car at some point has some car battery problem. Whether it's just that you left the lights on an you just need a jump starter to get your car going, or your battery is just plain dead. No matter what, you will have some issue at some point. Here is an overview of how your car battery works and how it is integrated into your car's systems.
First of all, the car battery doesn't work like other batteries. When a AAA battery in your remote control runs out, it's out. Car batteries get recharged as they are used.
The battery in your car is attached to your alternator, which is connected to the engine. The engine turns the wheels on your car, but it also turns a belt which turns the alternator. The alternator in turn creates electrical power from the motion of the belt.
Then the electrical output that is generated by the alternator is then routed to your car battery. When your battery juice falls below a certain point, a little computer in your car tells the alternator to send more juice to the battery.
The battery in turn powers all of the electrical stuff in your car. It powers the radio, the headlights, the dashboard lights, the interior lights, the trunk light, the AC/heater fan and so on.
That is why your car won't start when you leave your lights on. The lights are draining your battery, but it is not being recharged by your engine. That is also why when you jump start your car, then run your engine for a while, it brings your battery back to life.
Your car battery needs around 12 volts at least to start your car. It will sometimes start around 11.5 volts, but you can tell it's a weak start. Most batteries are standard at a 13 volt charge, but they still just call it a 12v battery.
So that is basically how your car battery works. It powers everything, but your engine powers the battery itself. That is how it all works together to give your car electrical power.
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