28/05/2019
Hi all.
Winter is slowly sneaking up on us and I want to talk a little bit about batteries and cold weather.
Most of us would have heard comments about things like sticking batteries in the freezer, or making sure they're fully discharged before recharging (older phone batteries), not letting them go completely flat and don't let them charge to 100%, don't undercharge, don't leave them on charge overnight, the list goes on! All of this can be confusing as to what is good or not good for your batteries. What's more confusing is that different types of batteries need to be treated differently to maximise their usefulness. What seems to be common to all batteries, however, is that eventually they do 'wear out'.
So, what about car batteries?
The most important and the most demanding job a car battery has is starting the engine and, as you may or may not know, the hardest time to start an engine is when it’s cold, especially in winter. Because of this, one of the main ways a car battery is rated is by what’s called cold cranking amps or CCA. Most batteries designed for engine starting applications will have a CCA rating on them.
Now, I don't want to get all technical here, there is plenty of information online if you want to know more, so I’ll keep to the basics.
The CCA of a battery is determined by subjecting it to a series of standardised tests, in a controlled environment, at a set cold temperature. A diesel 4wd might require a battery with 700CCA, a small 4 cylinder might require only 350CCA.
When the battery is new, it should be happily putting out at least the rated CCA, easily supplying the starter motor with the energy it needs to turn the engine to start it. As time goes by and it is subjected to the rigors of daily life as a faithful battery, the chemical reactions going on inside produce what is called sulfation, which slowly turns into a stable crystalline form, meaning that there is less active material for continued chemical reaction. These crystals can build up on the plates inside, further reducing the ability for the chemical reactions to take place. The end result is a reduction in CCA, eventually to the point that the poor faithful battery can no longer supply enough energy to the starter motor to turn the engine.
Now, in the warmer months, when the temperature, even early mornings, is in the 20’s or 30’s, you might not have any indication from the battery that there is a problem developing, because, at those temperatures the engine starts more easily.
Then along comes winter and freezing early mornings. Just like us, the engine is colder and a bit stiffer and harder to get going. Couple that with a battery that is starting to feel the effects of aging, and suddenly it can’t supply the increased energy demand from the starter motor to try and turn that cold, stiff engine.
I bet you can guess what that means. Yep, it’s time for a NEW BATTERY.
Is there anything you can do for your battery?
Unfortunately, you can’t stop your battery from eventually failing, however, there are a few things you can do that may prolong the life of your battery. Now, I’m only talking about batteries designed to start your engine, other batteries such as deep cycle batteries are a little different.
Make sure to keep them charged. That may sound obvious, but the little things you do can make a difference here. Do you drive your car every day or so? If not, chances are your battery is slowly being drained and is not fully charged. What I mean by this is things like your car security and the memory on the car radio (so it remembers set radio stations and other audio settings), although slowly, all help to drain your battery. Even a disconnected battery will drain over time. A car seldom driven is more likely to fall victim to early battery failure than one that is driven regularly. A viable option here is to invest in an appropriate battery maintenance charger and use it. It won’t help your battery if your charger is still in the box (speaking from experience). You can also use that battery charger when you’re diligently spending an hour or two, cleaning and vacuuming your car, with all the doors open and the interior lights and door courtesy lights blazing away.
So, you’ve got yourself one of those cars with headlights you can set on auto and they also stay on for a short time after you get out so you can see your way to the door and the keyhole. What a thoughtful idea. But now your battery is not quite fully charged.
Another thing that is important is having the right battery for the job. The rating of the battery that came with the car from the manufacturer would be the best choice in most situations. Some exceptions might apply if your have added accessories, but if so, an extra auxiliary battery system would most likely be the best choice here. If you are unsure of the correct size battery for your vehicle, an auto electrician, battery retailer or similar should be able to help you.
Most car batteries are maintenance free these days, but if not, make sure you periodically check the fluid levels in your battery, especially in the hotter months and don’t overfill either. Just above the plates with distilled water is perfect. While I’m on the subject of battery fluid, if it looks like your battery has been leaking, even if it’s dry now (leaving a white crystal/powdery substance), get your car’s charging system checked ASAP. It could mean your battery is being overcharged, which, at the very least will shorten its lifespan and could become explosive.
One more thing you should do is make sure your battery terminals are clean and firm on the battery posts. If you see corrosion build-up on your battery terminals, it can normally be easily removed by boiling your kettle and pouring it over the terminals. This should wash the corrosion away.
With any luck, these simple measures will give you and your faithful battery one more winter together.
Well, that’s enough writing for one day (after all, I am an auto electrician, not a typist). I hope you found it useful and informative.
One final thing, if you find yourself in need of a new battery to start your newly informed, battery life extending relationship with, I am offering a 10% discount on all new batteries until the end of June 2019. Happy motoring.
