How to keep the battery in good condition?

The car battery is like our health. When we are fine, we operate at full capacity. We over-exploit the body, until at some point it refuses to obey and forces us to "perform a check-up" at the doctor's office. It is similar with the battery.

When we start the engine every day, we do not think about the condition of our battery. Only the emerging problems with the ignition, or its complete absence, forces us to intervene quickly. Most passenger cars use maintenance-free lead-acid batteries, but there are also gel, gel-like electrolyte and AGM batteries on the market, in which glass fiber mats are soaked with electrolyte. The most popular ones, used in our cars, maintenance-free, however, require inspections. Because the way we use our car battery will affect its condition and failure-free operation for years.

The most difficult period for the battery is winter and low temperatures. They significantly reduce the starting power, especially if the car is “in the open air”. Garaged cars are also not safe, after all, not every garage is heated. Let's give our battery a "suit", a special thermal cover, to protect it from the disastrous effects of the cold. Before the winter season, check the battery voltage level. A meter is used for this, which we will buy at the petrol station. We use it to check the voltage at the poles. Valid values are 13.9V to 14.5V with the engine running and the lights or other source on. If we do not have such a device, or we are concerned that our measurement was not performed properly, we should consult a specialist.

If we notice that the battery is not fully charged, we have a problem with ignition, connect it to a good-quality charger (preferably with an overcharge protection function), fill in any electrolyte losses and recharge. Proper charging current should not exceed 1/10 of the battery capacity. With a 60V battery, it will be 6V. Remember that when our equipment is completely discharged, we must take into account that even our actions in the form of connecting the rectifier will not restore its 100% efficiency. Caring for the proper condition of the battery, let's follow certain standards. Every 6 months, we should clean the clamps and poles, remembering that we always disconnect the first "minus". A wire brush, sandpaper, they'll solve the problem. To counteract "tarnishing" and to improve the conductivity, secure the contacts with technical petroleum jelly or other means for this purpose.

Let's check the correct mounting of our battery in the interior of the car. In order to improve the condition of the battery, radio, lights and other elements of the car's equipment, try to always turn off before starting the engine. The alternator will be able to recharge the battery in this way. Store the unused battery in a cool, well-ventilated place, remembering to top it up every 2-3 months. Regular maintenance will ensure that the battery will work for a long time and trouble-free. Source of data and information provided in the article: http://www.specpart.pl/