What causes your car battery to deteriorate and how to prevent it
Most of us take our car battery for granted. We get into our car, turn the key and expect to hear the engine fire up and purr. A battery is meant to do just that. To provide the necessary current to the starter motor and ignition system, to start our vehicle. But as the heart of our vehicle the battery also keeps our electronics ‘alive’ such as our lights, electric windows, windscreen wipers and the like. But sometimes they fail. Let’s take a look at why your car might not start and how to keep your battery in good shape.
Automotive batteries are expensive items and the bad news is that, once installed, their longevity is very much up to you, the vehicle owner. From the very first time you start your car your battery begins to deteriorate. In fact, sometimes this happens even while it is still on the battery shop’s shelf.
The major cause is ‘sulphating’. A standard car battery consists of a number of lead plates, connected to each other and hanging in a solution of acid and water inside a tough plastic case. Most modern batteries declare they are ‘sealed for life’ and ‘low maintenance’ but that doesn’t mean ‘no maintenance’.
Melt de Kock of Charging Systems Africa, distributors of CTek intelligent battery chargers, explains. ‘Many people, until stranded with a car that won’t start, don’t think about their battery and the impact on the electrical system. But the fact is that battery problems are the number one cause of breakdown assistance call-outs. There is a solution though. Regular use of an intelligent battery charger will ensure your battery is kept in optimum condition to help avoid the cost, inconvenience and potential personal danger, of an unexpected breakdown. Plus it can double your battery’s lifespan.’
Also read: Maintenance checks you’re probably neglecting
Intelligent battery chargers, developed 20 years ago in Sweden by CTek have algorithms that first read and analyse the state of your battery and then, through an 8-step sequence will revive, condition and maintain it. This includes a process of desulphation ahead of charging it to full capacity.
The range of ‘smart’ battery chargers are suitable for all makes of cars, vans, 4x4s,bikes, yachts, jet skis and trucks and come standard as original equipment to some of the world’s best-known automakers, among them Audi, Bentley, BMW, Corvette, Ferrari, Jaguar, Lamborghini, Maserati, McLaren, Mercedes, Porsche and Rolls-Royce.
Once-upon-a-time screw-in plugs were the norm on the top of a vehicle battery: the reason, making it easy to check that the level of liquid in the casing covered the lead plates. Today it’s a matter of vehicle use, the more the battery is being charged the happier it is but the battery is only being charged when the engine is in use and short runs, stop/starts and not being used regularly drains the battery’s life.
‘As mentioned earlier,’ says de Kock, ‘An unused battery gradually loses charge and is subject to battery cancer – the electrical term for ‘sulphating’. Essentially, tiny sulphate crystals build up on the battery plates and reduce the amount of charge the plates can hold. If left long enough the overall condition of the battery will deteriorate until your car will not start.’
The answer is simple. Investing in an intelligent battery charger – quick to connect, easy to use and it won’t ever damage your battery, it’s the best solution. The battery will be de-sulphated and kept in tip-top condition. The result? Your car will always start and your battery will last longer.
To find out more about the CTek intelligent battery chargers and accessories go to www.ctek.co.za