Videos are for informational purposes only. Always consult your truck’s manual and qualified professionals for maintenance and repairs.
90-Second Garage is a series of short, expert-led informational videos featured in Amazon Relay’s Learning Center. They’re designed to provide information on safe driving techniques and basic truck maintenance to carriers looking for additional resources.
In this episode of 90-Second Garage, learn how to charge your semi truck’s battery.
Note: You should charge your battery every three weeks, or if the voltage drops below 12.4. When the truck is at rest, recharge your battery.
Equipment to change your semi truck’s battery
When you charge your semi truck’s battery, there will be a few tools you’ll need to assist you:
- Safety vest
- Closed-toed shoes
- Gloves
- Protective eyewear
- Wrench
- Wire brush
- Paper towels or rags
You’ll need a battery charger with clamps, which will be used to provide a charge to your battery. Ensure your charger’s voltage matches your battery’s voltage, typically 12 or 24 volt.
Steps to change your semi truck’s battery
Make sure your truck is turned off and parked in a safe location before beginning. Don’t attempt to charge a battery showing signs of damage, such as cracks or leaks.
- Locate your batteries. These are typically under the driver-side step or seat area depending on your vehicle.
- Once you locate the batteries on your vehicle, remove the battery cover.
- Then you’re ready to remove the cables from the terminals and connectors that connect multiple batteries together.
- Start with the removal of all black or negative cables first to avoid accidental short circuits or sparks.
- Next, locate the positive and negative terminals on your battery. This is shown by either a plus or minus sign.
- You’ll also need to locate your positive and negative charging cables. Don’t touch the positive and negative cables from the charger together.
- Then, attach the positive clamp from the charger to the positive terminal.
- Attach the negative clamp from the charger to the negative terminal of the battery.
- Once the charging has started, stay close to watch the progress so you don’t overheat the battery or charger.
- When the battery is charged, disconnect the clamps from the battery. Again, ensure you keep the cables separated.
- If you have multiple batteries that need charged, repeat these steps on the other batteries.
- For safety, connect all the positive cables and connectors first, working the back to the front. Put the nut on and tighten it.
- Then connect the negative cables and connectors. Put the nut on and tighten it.
- Put your battery cover on and secure the fasteners.
Access freight resources & opportunities on Amazon Relay
This video and more safety and orientation resources are available in the Amazon Relay Learning Center. Carriers who are approved and onboarded to Amazon Relay can view these resources and have the option to assign them to their drivers.
Amazon Relay is a digital freight hub and mobile app that connects independent trucking companies directly to Amazon loads. Start your Relay application on desktop or our app on iOS or Android. But first, check out Relay’s carrier requirements to make sure hauling for Amazon is the right fit for your business.
Disclaimer: Amazon loads posted on third-party load boards will only be tendered directly to approved and onboarded carriers via the Relay web portal or Relay mobile app. If you are interested in hauling loads for Amazon, sign up and book directly on relay.amazon.com. For more about our efforts against fraud and cargo theft, see our trustworthy transportation page.
