Posts tagged: battery

Using The Right Battery Water So As To Extend The Life Span Your Vehicle Battery

By , December 28, 2009

If you want your car to go running efficiently then there are a number of things you need to regularly check aside from your engine and fuel.  Many owners are a bit forgetful about the car battery water, which must be inspected every once in a while.  Even if you are using the newest battery in your vehicle, you still need to check its water level as it is one of the most important way of monitoring the condition of your car battery.

The frequency of recharging and usage affects the water substance of your battery.  The more times you recharge, the more frequently you have to examine the water level because during the energizing process, when electric current passes through the lead plates, water experiences a decomposition reaction during which it splits into its two gaseous elements namely hydrogen and oxygen.  Hence, water is depleted during this process.  Notice that this is likewise one reason you have to avoid smoking when inspecting your batteries because hydrogen is highly flammable and oxygen would cause further ignition; naturally, both gases are dangerous.

You would also notice that evaporation may bring about loss of water in several old batteries.  Hence, you should inspect them more often during hot days and particularly if you live in areas with warm climate.

The risk when the vehicle water goes too low is that excessive heat may be generated by the battery and likewise the lead plates could be damaged.  This wear and tear of the lead plates brings about inefficiency during the energizing process during which lack of water may also cause irreversible destruction to the plates.  In other words, the life span of the battery is significantly lessened. This could just be additional expenditure for you when all you would have needed is nothing more than a bonus of water.

Whilst you may have to check that the quantity of water does not go very low, you should also ensure that you add only the specified quantity of distilled water.  For example, as a preventative measure, do not go beyond the marked water level.  If this is not indicated, make sure that water level does not touch the base of the battery cap.  Extra water could spread out into the electrolyte cell and bring about weakening of the acid.

Nevertheless, not every type of water can be used.  While you might think it is okay to obtain water from a pond, a strict rule requires that you use distilled water.  Car battery or any kind of wet battery for that matter depends on the accurate electrolyte or ionic equilibrium in the cell.  Hence, you are not to change the chemical or electrolytic nature of the liquid inside.  Pure water does not contain ions and so it is recommended for the use of filling up car batteries.  When we speak of pure water we talking about, distilled, deionized or demineralized water.  Tap water is never recommended as it would shorten the life of your wet cell.

Battery Water Is The Key To Your Vehicle Maintenance Problems

By , December 25, 2009

Excellent car batteries could give your car the support it requires yet sometimes that excellence doesn’t last long enough.  Malfunction of cars to start is a result of faulty batteries and for some strange logic such failures seem to happen on heavy traffic.  One way to prevent this problem is to regularly check the quantity of your battery water.

Be cautious when checking the fluid level, especially if you have to take away the battery caps.  Keep in mind that the car batteries have sulfuric acid, a powerful acid that blisters the skin upon contact.  If this should happen, maintain water reserve handy when you are examining battery condition.  Also as a safety measure, you should wear eye protection.  Whilst the buildup of oxygen and hydrogen gas inside lead-acid batteries is a risk not to be ignored, it is strictly recommended not to light a cigarette while having the check up.

As what any car mechanic does, you can make use of your fingers or a screwdriver (depending upon the design of the top) to dismount battery lid.  Once the cap is removed, you can stare down to get a view of the fluid quantity.  If there is a fluid reading gauge, you can examine the actual reading of the water.  Shaking or tipping the battery gently helps you see where the level is.  If the level has reached low level, adding up vehicle water restores the fluid content to correct levels.  Be careful when pouring in water because you cannot pour in simply any kind of water.  Tap water is not appropriate for this use.  Because fluid batteries are susceptible to the ionic substance as these fluids are electrolytic by nature, it is ideal to make use of distilled or DI water, which has extremely low, negligible ion content.  The rather extreme ion concentration of ordinary water changes the ion equilibrium within the battery.

It is advised to reload consumed battery fluid and to examine it every three months if your battery is new.  On the other hand, the older the product is, the more regular you should do your inspection.  For example, you might need to check a two-year old battery as often as once a week.  Water level should never go too low, otherwise the battery simply heats up and the battery plates easily wear out.

When refilling the water volume, make sure to load only to the ideal point as indicated by the encasement.  Nevertheless, if your car battery does not have this water level indicator, fill it up with water to the height that does not touch the underside of the cap (when the cap is in place).  Filling up the battery with water past the recommended level could cause spillage to the acid slot, reducing the acid and rendering the battery less efficient.

For your water needs, opt for the ones from reputable water companies that offer water solutions and pure water in relation to your demands.

Caring for Your Car Battery

By , December 21, 2009

Cars are more complex today because of all of the advances that have occurred in the last 20-30 years. A lot of accessories and extra features most of which operate on electricity, are also included in that. Put some additional electrical auto parts and greater audio; car batteries are required to carry heavy loads. Almost all bateries have somewhat of a predetermined life expectancy which function well for a while, but after a certain amount of time they will need to be replaced or reconditioned.

There are several different things that a person can do to make sure their car battery lasts its entire lifetime. Keep the terminals cleaned up and free of debris so that the electrical current can have an unimpeded flow. The best job can be done with a wire brush and pressurized water from the hose. Another option is to purchase an aerosol can of foam battery cleaner to loosen any dirt.

If there is difficulty in starting your car check to make make sure the battery under the hood is tight. If the battery is loose find the clamp or bracket which secures it in place and tighten up the screws. The life of your car battery can be shortened by vibration, which causes the cells to break down. Inspect the cables that connect to the battery and perform any needed maintenance. Many auto parts stores have people on site that will help in repairing or replacing something. Some might do it for free if you purchase something at the store, others might charge a minimal amount to do the work. In Southern California, AAMCO is decent for battery inspection, a no charge engine scan plus La Habra auto repair or Brea brakes.

If your battery is definately dead with no chance of coming back to life, you need to replace it. Look for a new one from the shop you buy auto parts. If you don’t think you can do the job on your own then take advantage of a store’s, often times free, offer to install the battery for you.

To help you find a certain part that you might need for your vehicle, you can either get the information on-line or go into a parts store where a sales clerk can assist you with the correct parts you may need. A store employee can help when asked if you can’t find the right information or what it is that you are looking for. The employees of such shops are very helpful and know everything about car repair.

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