Sealed Lead-acid batteries are reliable devices today and have a long service life. Good quality batteries will last at least five years with careful and timely care.
Therefore, we will describe the rules for the operation of batteries and methods of periodic maintenance that will significantly increase their resources with minimal expenditure of time and money.
General Rules For The Use Of Batteries:
During operation, the battery must be regularly checked for cracks in the housing, kept clean, and charged.
Dirt on the surface of the battery, the presence of oxides or dirt on the pins, loose tightening of the wire clamps will cause the battery to quickly discharge and prevent it from charging normally. To avoid this, you should:
- Keep the battery surface clean and make sure the terminals are properly tightened. An electrolyte that gets on the battery surface should be wiped off with a dry cloth or a cloth soaked in ammonia or soda solution (10% solution). Clean oxidized battery contact pins and cable lugs lubricate non-contact surfaces with petroleum jelly or grease.
- Make sure the battery drain holes are clean. During operation, the electrolyte gives off fumes, and if the drain holes are clogged, those fumes will be released in all sorts of other places. This usually happens near the battery contact pins, leading to increased oxidation. Clean if necessary.
- Check the voltage at the battery terminals regularly with the engine running. After the repair, repeat the control measures in different operating modes of the engine, including with the headlights on and other consumers of electrical energy.
- If the vehicle is left idle for a long time, disconnect the battery from the “ground” and periodically charge it if it is stored for a long time. If the battery is often and for a long time in a discharged or even half-charged state, the plate sulphation effect occurs.
- Avoid starting the engine for a long time, especially in the cold season. When starting a cold engine, the starter consumes a large starting current, which can lead to “warping” of the battery plates and the active mass falling out. Which ultimately leads to the complete inoperability of the battery.