Question: What kind of battery maintenance is necessary to keep vehicles moving?
Answer:
Batteries power the starting system of a vehicle as well as supply energy to its electrical components. Everything from a complete breakdown to cab light outages may occur when batteries are not operating properly. To keep vehicles moving and performing at their peak, it is important to maintain the battery health of each vehicle in your fleet.
Extreme weather conditions, vibration, and improper charging caused by loose cables and corrosion are reasons battery failure occurs. Therefore, proactive and seasonal battery maintenance is key to incorporate in your fleet maintenance schedule. Maintenance activities include:
Eliminating vibration
If not securely fastened, excessive vibration may damage the battery’s internal components as well as terminals, casing, and plate assemblies, reducing battery life. Avoid damage by ensuring batteries are properly secured.
Keeping cables securely attached and protected from corrosion
If cables are not securely attached to the battery terminals, vehicle start issues will occur. Keep cable connections tight to ensure top performance. Cables can also fail due to corrosion at the terminal crimp area. Check sleeves and wraps for any exposed copper where the terminal meets the cable.
Cleaning corroded connections
When battery terminals are exposed to the hydrogen gas found in battery acid, corrosion occurs. Because corrosion can lead to undercharging, terminals should be visually inspected and cleaned at regular intervals to remove any build-up.
Lawson Products provides battery maintenance products across multiple categories to help you keep your vehicles moving. Products include battery terminals, lugs and connectors, battery cables, booster cables, booster packs, and battery chargers, as well as battery cleaners, terminal protectors, and battery acid wipes to clean and protect your batteries.
Information provided by Lawson Products
