Understanding the battery function

Battery maintenance for cars

The battery is the first item to be blamed when the vehicle will not start. The service life
of the battery depends to a large extent on many external factors which affect its
performance. Most batteries fail due to various forms of abuse. Avoid the following
common forms of abuse, and protect the battery and electrical system.

 Loose battery terminals cause the melting of battery terminals and can result in
sparks which lead to an explosion in the battery.
Vibration – holding clamps which are not properly fastened will result in the active
material parting from the grid and the capacity will be reduced.
 Over-tightening of the hold-down clamps will cause the container to crack or
distort, causing damage to other parts of the vehicle.
 Hammering on the battery terminal will loosen the poles or break the internal
components. Always use the correct size spanners when replacing or removing
terminals. Never loosen the terminals by force.
 Dirt and damp on the battery will cause gradual self-discharge.
 Overcharging – this causes an excessive loss of water and consequently causes
the plates to shake off their active material, thus reducing capacity and service
life.
 A battery which is left standing in a discharged state will also suffer plate
sulphation and irreversible damage.
 A faulty regulator or alternator will lead to points 7 and 8 mentioned above.
 A loose fanbelt leads to the discharge of the battery. Periodic attention to the
battery as well as to the remainder of the electrical system, including the fanbelt
tension, is essential for trouble-free service in any vehicle.
 Incorrect electrolyte levels – when these are too low, plates dry out and
sulphates. When these are too high, electrolyte escapes through the air hole,
which can lead to acid damage.
 Adding acid instead of water increases the PH of the electrolyte to the point
where it attacks the plates.

When arriving back from that caravanning holiday, disconnect the caravan or auxiliary
battery, put on trickle charge then store on cardboard or wood in a cool, dry place.
Repeat this procedure every 2 – 3 months. Always have a hydrometer in the garage to
check the relative density so you know the battery is fully-charged and ready for that
impulsive, get-away weekend. Avoid long family faces when lights don’t come on and
the car won’t start.

Upgrading your battery

If you are unhappy with the battery life you get, and are satisfied the electrical system is
in a good operating condition, consider upgrading. You (or a previous owner) may have
modified the vehicle with airconditioning, extra lights, etc. Always ask when buying a
replacement battery whether an upgrade is a viable option; it usually is, and will in
general provide a longer battery life.