What you should know about car batteries

In a car’s design, a rechargeable battery (battery) is a vital component. Without it, the operation of a car and an electric car is simply impossible. That is why a well-considered battery selection and proper handling of it are a prerequisite for the proper operation of the vehicle.

Let's answer some key questions regarding automotive 12V batteries.

Where is the battery power spent?

Of course, the key task of the battery is to provide starting and support for the engine. However, in modern cars, there are still quite a lot of “energy-hungry” systems whose functioning the battery is designed to provide. Such as an alarm or an on-board audio system. Or an additional autonomous interior heater and a GSM system. You can give even more exotic examples. Often the owner learns about such features of his car only after such a device fails. So, in cars of the premium segment, there is an unusual system that is “tied” to the seasons. And also powered by a battery. In some cars, there is also a device that is protecting equipment from rodents. It's no secret that rats and mice are capable of doing a lot of damage to the car (wires, plastics).

Short circuits are caused by gnawed insulation - the most common problem. "Anti-rat" protection includes ultrasonic emitters under the hood of a car. This consumes battery power. It is possible that the owner may not even know the reason why the battery in the car begins to suspiciously quickly lose its charge. Therefore, it is important to select the model that is able to cover all such needs. On the other hand, if you buy an expensive battery model for a relatively simple car, then part of the battery potential simply will not be used. The consumer will overpay where it was possible to do with less money. Manufacturers take this factor into account. For example, the budget line S3 from Bosch is suitable for cars with low electric usage.

How do weather conditions affect battery life?

Drivers of cold climates still remember the torment that caused the engine to start with the onset of frost. The battery in a car that had stood in the cold for a long time might not have started it. Of course, the technology went far ahead, but in essence the basic principles of the battery remained unchanged, so it is important to understand some key points. In the cold season, several factors affect the state and charge of the battery.

Firstly, in winter, all the equipment in the car, including the battery, experience very strong loads. Secondly, due to low temperatures, oil and fuel thicken, it becomes more difficult to start the engine. And therefore, the battery has a big responsibility in the winter. In addition, it should be borne in mind that starting a “cold” engine requires more current from the battery, which, due to the fact that city trips are usually short, very often is completely uncharged. And this leads to irreversible changes in the battery itself, to the so-called sulfation, when parts of the plates are coated with insoluble sulfates and become more unsuitable for use.

A battery that is constantly discharged in the cold has another dangerous feature. In a discharged battery, the electrolyte density decreases, i.e. water is released from it, which in the cold simply freezes and “tears” the battery. And if a fully charged battery freezes at a temperature of -65 degrees Celsius, then a discharged battery will freeze at -5 degrees Celsius.

Therefore, we strongly recommend regularly checking the battery charge, and if it is less than 12.5V, recharge it to 12.7V. For this, Bosch C1, C3 and C7 series automatic chargers can be used.

Remember - a fully charged battery will not let you down even in Arctic frosts! And you can also check out cheap car batteries sunshine coast should I need for a new battery arise. You can check their website and choose what options are best for you.

Does the battery storage life affect the properties of the battery until it is sold?

In this case, one has to deal with a well-established delusion. A modern battery, after manufacturing at the factory using calcium technology, can be stored for a long time - 18 months or more, subject to storage conditions (dry, cool place with a temperature of 10-15C) and proper monitoring of battery conditions. The state of the battery during sale is important, and the date of manufacture is not critical. Here, the consumer must pay attention to the reputation and capabilities of the dealer from whom he intends to purchase a battery.

With the correct operation of the battery and timely prevention, the period of proper operation will be very long. At the same time, even if the battery is new and lasts no more than a year, it is necessary to monitor its condition. If, nevertheless, the driver feels an unstable engine start when the battery is fully charged, then you should contact Bosch Auto Service. Perhaps the reason is not in the battery. Specialists will be able to qualitatively diagnose the car and find the true cause of the problem.

The main thing to remember is that any product requires care.

BUY A CAR BATTERY: TIPS FOR THE RIGHT CHOICE

You ask yourself: Which car battery to buy? Answers are provided by these tips: Capacity (in ampere-hours, short Ah): It indicates how much electricity a car battery emits. You will find the relevant information on the old battery. Voltage (in volts, V for short): Be sure to stick to the value of the previous battery; for cars it is usually 12 V.

A lead battery consists of lead oxide on its plus pole and a so-called lead sponge on the minus pole. Between the poles there is 36 to 38 percent sulfuric acid. Each battery cell supplies two volts. In a twelve-volt car battery, six cells are therefore connected in series. The electrolyte, i.e. sulfuric acid, has to be filled up with distilled water from time to time in order to maintain the optimal conductivity. Closed lead-acid batteries cannot be refilled; they have a pressure relief valve that prevents the internal pressure from being too high due to gassing processes. Lead-acid batteries deliver very high currents in the short term, which are needed above all when starting the engine.

These batteries have a high energy density and are used in electric and hybrid vehicles, where they primarily feed the electric drive motor. Lithium-ion batteries were originally developed for cell phones and laptops. As a classic starter battery, lithium-ion batteries are only used in sports cars that have been trimmed to be extremely light, such as the Porsche 911 GT3, which (optionally) uses such a battery.

The dimensions, capacity and price of the battery are interrelated. The more ampere-hours, the bigger and more expensive the battery is usually. In general, more capacity cannot hurt. However, if the battery is too large, it will no longer fit in the holder provided. A battery that is too small, however, may not be able to be attached properly. In addition, it does not meet the energy requirements of the car. The so-called box dimensions of the batteries are standardized across brands in Europe. The box size is always 175 millimeters deep and either 175 or 190 millimeters high. Only the length varies and is graded: 207, 242, 278, 315 and 353 millimeters.

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