Automotive / SLI Batteries Maintenance and Handling
# Automotive / SLI Batteries Maintenance
and Handling:
Car batteries using lead-antimony plates require regular topping up to replace water lost due to electrolysis on each charging cycle. With some of new generation batteries are designed with alloying element to calcium, have a lower water loss (heat generation during charging is reduced), unless overcharged. Modern car batteries have reduced maintenance (topping up of Demineralised water) requirements, and are not provided with caps for addition of water to the cells. Such car batteries include extra electrolyte above the plates to allow for losses during the battery life along with recycling of seam of electrolyte by condensing it (design of top cover has some pathways to recycle the vapors).
If the car battery has easily removable caps then a top-up with distilled water may be required from time to time. Prolonged overcharging or charging at excessively high voltage causes the water (loss) in the electrolyte to be broken up into hydrogen and oxygen gases, which escape from the cells; this is called gassing. If the electrolyte liquid level drops too low, the plates will get exposed to air and will lose its capacity, which will be damaging the battery. The sulfuric acid in the car battery should not be replaced, since it is not consumed even on overcharging.
Impurities or additives in the water will reduce the life and performance of the car battery and hence we insist to use of demineralised or distilled water.
Never add tap water has it contents
minerals.
In new generation batteries a # MAGIC EYE # ( built in hydrometer) is provided which show
the state of charge of battery The built-in hydrometer only checks the state of
charge of one cell and will not show faults in the other cells. In a non-sealed
automotive battery each of the cells can be checked with a portable or
hand-held hydrometer.# Charging and Discharging of Lead Acid Battery:
The vehicle’s alternator (charging system) powers the battery by charging it as and when required, which powers the vehicle’s electrical systems, which will be used from the battery during engine cranking.During cranking of the vehicle, battery loses its charge, The charging system essentially provides a fixed voltage of typically 13.8 V to 14.4 V, adjusted to ambient temperature, unless the alternator is at its current limit. A discharged battery draws a high charge current of typically 20 to 40 Amperes. As the battery becomes charged the charge current typically decreases to 2 ~ 5 Amperes. A high load is when multiple high-power systems such as ignition, radiator fan, heater blowers, lights and entertainment system are running at the same time. In new generation cars rpm has little influence on the battery voltage – tests show near normal voltage regardless of the AC / headlights / music / fan / defrosting / other electrical loads, even at idle.
# Emergency & Regular Maintains of lead Acid Battery:
In emergencies a vehicle can be jump started by the battery of another vehicle (but not recommended with newer vehicles) or by a portable battery booster. It is possible to charge a car battery fully using solely the alternator, either by raising the engine’s RPM while parked or by regular driving. It will approximately take two hours of driving to charge the car battery, plus another minute or two for every time the car is started (for a fully charged battery on vehicle). This process can be enhanced by using lower gears as that leads to higher RPM’s and therefore higher alternator output, which can also preserve battery life when lots of electricity is being used by the air conditioner or heater, the radio, the headlights, etc.; although this will reduce average of vehicle (Kms per Litre).
It is recommended to charge the battery on bench charger at authorized dealer; because the above method will shorten the lifespan of the alternator and fuel is also much more expensive than electricity. And it should be performed at nearer battery authorized dealer who will charge the battery on bench charger and take performance test of battery with available electronic gadgets with him.
# Storage of Lead Acid battery:
Unlike lithium based batteries, automotive lead acid batteries last longer when stored in a charged condition. If an automotive battery kept in discharged state it will shorten its life, or make it non-usable if left for a long time. Sulfation eventually becomes irreversible if remained as it is for longer time.
Batteries in storage should be periodically charged, or attached continuously to a “FLOAT” charger to retain its original capacity.
Batteries should be stored after charging in a clean, dry and cool environment for best results. Temperature rise will reduce the charge status (will discharge) of the battery as it increases its self discharge along with plate corrosion.
In early days, Keeping a lead acid batteries on the ground, or on concrete or cement floors, was believed to cause batteries to discharge. But this is no longer a concern.
Modern batteries are built in tough poly-carbonate containers; which is non- conductor of current even with leak proof tests are done while manufacturing ~assembling the battery, so it will not allow moisture to pass, and for maintenance free batteries its a standard NORM, so large amount of leaking of electrolyte is rarely seen, providing no route for current to flow.
Even though batteries are recommended to be stored on wooden / PVC pallets as it will delay self discharge of the Battery.
# Installation or removal of a Battery from vehicle:
While removing the car battery from vehicle, it is recommend to disconnect the negative ground connection first to prevent accidental short-circuits between the car battery terminal and the vehicle frame. Conversely the positive cable is connected first. Of course, this only applies to negative-earth vehicles – a better rule is to disconnect the earth or ground terminal first, this works whatever the polarity of the system.
As a safety factor while handling installation or removal of batteries one should remove metal bracelets, rings & watches.
Now all the automotive lead-acid batteries are filled with electrolyte & Initial charging is done at the manufacturing plant, and shipped to the retailers ready to sell.
We would suggest only a trained professional should change / install or remove any activated battery from vehicle; and should always wear proper safety equipment when changing an automotive battery.
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Also if you want know about handling and
maintenance of batteries do check this blog where i talk about handling and
maintenance of automotive batteries and the tricks about it. Link is provided here.
And if you want
to know more about the basic of batteries go ahead and check out this post.
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