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AUTOMOTIVE Battery FAQs

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It is not so common these days but some imported products are still available as dry charged and are supplied with an acid bottle. To make dry charged batteries, the plates are fully charged and dried before battery assembly which can deteriorate if exposed to air so each cell must have air tight seals to store as dry charged. A dry battery is typically filled with 1.70S.G acid and given a short boost charge before it is ready for service

Cold cranking amperes (CCA) is the amount of current a battery can provide at 0 °F (−18 °C). The rating is defined as the current a lead-acid battery at that temperature can deliver for 30 seconds and maintain at least 1.2 volts per cell (7.2 volts for a 12-volt battery).

Reserve Capacity (RC) is a very important rating. This is the number of minutes a fully charged battery at 27 ° C will discharge 25 amps until the battery drops below 10.5 volts. An amp hour (AH) is a rating usually found on deep cycle batteries.

This is similar to Reserve Capacity but discharge currents are much lower, equal to the C20 rating divided by 20. This rating is more useful for stand by applications but is a good indication of capacity.

Extreme cold dramatically reduces the speed at which chemical reaction can occur, while increasing electrolyte resistance. It is important to keep batteries at a full charge during periods of extreme cold. Batteries in a discharged state are susceptible to freezing which can cause damage to the plates and battery container. Automobiles demand more from a battery in freezing temperatures as the motor oil thickens and makes the engine harder to crank.

A car charging system consists of three major components: 1. Alternator - the mechanical device driven by one of the engine belts. It produces a steady flow of electrical current on a continuing basis while the engine is running. 2. Voltage Regulator - monitors the state-of-charge in the battery to determine when and if more current should flow from the alternator into the battery to replace used electricity. When a battery is returned to full capacity, the regulator shuts off the flow of current from the alternator. This action occurs several times per minute. 3. Battery - an electrical reservoir used to store current until it is needed to power the engine is starter motor. It provides sufficient electrical power, so the engine can reach starting RPMs. Once the engine is running, the electrical demand is supplied by the alternator alone to the coil, which continues to supply fire to the spark plugs. A simple analogy for a charging system is to compare it to a garden hose with a spray nozzle and a bucket/receptacle. Water flows through a garden hose as does the electrical current to the alternator. As long as the water/current is flowing, the hose/alternator is producing electrical current to charge the battery. The regulator, compared to the spray nozzle at the end of the hose, determines the amount of the electrical current released into the battery. The battery becomes the bucket/receptacle already filled with water. When water is removed from the bucket, the spray nozzle/regulator will open to allow water/electrical current to refill the bucket, or recharge the battery. Once the battery is completely recharged, the regulator will shut off the flow.

All OKAYA automobile batteries are maintenance accessible. The batteries have 2 or 6 removable vent caps (which will expose 6 holes or fill wells) where distilled water can be added. Be careful not to overfill. The electrolyte should not go past the end of the fill well. Overfilling can cause acid to be discharged during operation. The electrolyte level should be checked at least once a year in cold or mild climates and more often in hot climates.

  • Do's and Don'ts
  • Do store in cool dry conditions
  • Do use OKAYA’s professional network of stores.
  • Do trickle charge your stored batteries at regular intervals
  • Do use correct lifting procedures when moving batteries
  • Don’t place metal objects on top of the battery
  • Don’t allow sparks or flames near any battery"
  • Visually inspect battery terminals, clean or replace as necessary.
  • Check hold down clamp and replace if necessary. (Battery must be secured to avoid un-necessary vibration).
  • Remove battery vent caps if fitted and check battery fluid level which should be 12mm above plates. Top up using deionized water.
  • Check vehicle for current drain using Electronic Tester.
  • Check vehicle charging system. For 12 volt vehicles, reading should be between 13.8 volts and 14.6 volts.
  • As a final check, check terminals, earth lead, and hold down clamp for tightness. Vehicle electrical and charging systems are becoming more complex and we recommend fitting by professional installers only. For more Help and advice "

Old batteries may be returned to the battery retailer, automotive service station, a battery manufacturer or other authorized collection centers for recycling.

Under normal operating conditions, you never need to add acid.

A battery stores energy in chemical form that can be released on demand as electricity. This electrical power is used by the vehicle's ignition system for cranking the engine. The vehicle's battery may also power the lights and other electrical accessories. In case the alternator belt fails, the battery might also need to power the vehicle's entire electrical system for a short period of time.

"SIZE: What are the dimensions of your original battery? POWER: What are the Cold Cranking Amps required to power your vehicle? WARRANTY: Automotive batteries are backed by a warranty package. Choose one that is right for your vehicle's needs."

Before you start, always check the type of grounding system the vehicle has. If you remove the positive connector first in a negative ground system, you risk the chance of creating a spark. That could happen if the metal tool you're using to remove the positive terminal connector comes in contact with any piece of metal on the car. If you are working near the battery when this occurs, it might create an ignition source that could cause the battery to explode. It is extremely important to remove the ground source first.

Excessive heat produces resistance. Too much of this resistance can weaken the chances of a car battery releasing charge to the automobile starting components. The heat can also cause the water to evaporate from the electrolytes in your car battery, thus damaging and reducing the strength of the positive grids. All of this can rapidly depreciate the battery’s lifetime.


SMF-BATTERIES
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