There are a number of things that can help batteries provide extended and trouble-free service.
The following suggestions come from Jim O'Hara, vice president of marketing at Clore Automotive (www.cloreautomotive.com), a manufacturer of automotive service equipment.
- Nothing conserves the health of a battery like keeping it fully charged. Regularly checking battery state of charge is a good early warning system as to battery longevity.
Undercharging batteries or using driving patterns that result in batteries not achieving full charge is almost guaranteed to result in sulfate build-up, which saps the life from batteries.
– Maintenance charging the battery/battery pack during scheduled maintenance, using a smart battery charger, should provide a direct return in the form of longer battery life and increased reliability.
- Make sure the charging system in the vehicle is properly mated to the battery/battery pack installed – too high and the batteries will be damaged by excessive heat; too low and the batteries will be vulnerable to sulfation.
- Take care when replacing the OE batteries at the end of their life, particularly if you switch to a different battery construction. Make sure that the vehicle's charging system can be adjusted to properly charge the new battery type used.
BATTERY CHARGING
Kimberly A. Cottle, president and CEO, of Associated Equipment Corporation (associatedequip.com), a manufacturer of battery chargers and automotive battery testers, also provided some advice to help avoid issues with batteries.
Lead-acid batteries (flooded, sealed, AGM)
- Best way to charge:
+ Apply a saturated charge to prevent sulfation.
+ Can stay on charge with correct float charge.
- Charge methods:
+ Constant voltage to 2.40 to 2.45/cell; float at 2.2 to 2.30V/cell (battery stays cool).
+ No fast charge possible.
+ Charge for 14 hours.
- Discharge:
+ Do not cycle starter batteries.
+ Avoid full discharges.
+ Always charge after use.
- How to prolong battery life:
+ Limit deep cycling.
+ Apply topping charge every six months while in storage to prevent sulfation.
+ Keep cells at or above 2.10V.
Fast charge and slow charge
“When you fast charge a battery, you are typically using higher amperage to charge for a shorter period of time,” the officials explain. “For example, a fast charge would use about 12 amps and could charge the battery in as little as 30 minutes, depending on state of charge of the battery.
“A slow charge uses lower amperage (about 25 percent less) and a longer time – typically four times for charging. For example, a slow charge would use about 3 amps and would charge the battery in about two hours, depending on state of charge of the battery.
AGM batteries
AGM batteries require special charging profiles at more controlled rates, Associated Equipment officials say. “AGM batteries need to be charged at no more than 14.8V.
“If a conventional battery charger is used on an AGM battery, the battery could be damaged or destroyed in as little as 60 minutes.”
