With today’s cluttered cars, our batteries are constantly discharging, even when the car is not in use. That, combined with cold weather and normal battery wear and tear, can mean that many mornings you go to the car, start it up, and then hear the dreaded sound of the battery struggling to provide enough power to run the engine. . . The longer it takes to start the engine, the more the battery will be drained. Without the benefit of the alternator, it won’t be long before the battery loses all of its power and it will be impossible to start the car without a booster.
WHAT FACTORS CONTRIBUTE TO A BATTERY LOSING POWER?
While cold weather is certainly a big contributor to battery power loss, there are many other factors that exist in all types of weather and in all types of situations that could cause you to be suddenly stranded. An interior light may have been left on for an extended period of time. There may be electronic accessories plugged into the charging ports (also known as cigarette lighters). Many cars have electronic components and accessories that constantly use power while the car is parked. Sometimes you can even be sitting in the car long after you’ve stopped listening to the radio, talking on the phone, or waiting for a certain time to arrive, and inadvertently put your foot on the brake pedal, which causes the battery to run out. while the brake lights come on.
Something to keep in mind is that even if your battery can start your vehicle every time, a battery sitting without a full charge will tend to reduce battery life. This is especially true of a vehicle that is not used on a daily basis.
WHAT ARE MY OPTIONS OTHER THAN KEEPING A FULLY CHARGED SPARE BATTERY IN THE TRUNK?
There are devices that are widely available called battery maintainers that specifically address these types of situations. There are several types of battery maintainers. Trickle chargers (also known as cone chargers), full electronic chargers, and solar panel chargers are the main options I would consider.
TELL ME ABOUT DROP LOADERS.
A trickle charger is a device that, when plugged in, will put one or two amps of current into your 12V battery. As the battery becomes fully charged, the rate of charge slows or decreases. One potential problem with this form of battery maintainer is that current continues to flow into the battery even after the battery is fully charged. This can cause the battery to overheat, reducing battery life. Some companies have begun to recognize this flaw and have designed measures into the device to prevent overcharging.
SOLAR PANEL MAINTAINERS ARE ENVIRONMENTALLY FRIENDLY; WHAT ABOUT THEM?
Solar panel maintainers actually harness the energy of the sun and keep your battery charged at an optimal level. The obvious requirement for this type of maintainer is that it has access to the sun. This type of device will not work for a car that is parked in a garage, under a carport, or in any other area where access to direct sunlight is restricted. That also means that nightly maintenance will be limited to stored energy. If those restrictions aren’t an issue, then this is a great option for battery maintenance, as available power from the sun is a sure thing.
These devices include a small solar panel that sits on your dashboard or anywhere else in your car with access to sunlight. Look for models that have a cigarette lighter charging option and alligator slips that connect directly to your battery. This will prevent problems if you use it in a vehicle whose cigarette lighter adapter only works when the vehicle is on.
HOW DO ELECTRONIC MAINTAINERS WORK?
This form of battery maintainer uses electronics found in the actual unit to monitor battery voltage. As the voltage is reduced, the maintainer will typically apply a 14-volt charge to bring the battery to a full charge. It will then reduce the charge voltage to a hold charge level of approximately 12.8 to 13.2 volts. The additional voltage maintained in the charged battery will help the maintenance device to overcome any resistance between the device and the battery and keep the battery in a fully charged and active state without overheating and subsequent loss of battery life.
WHERE SHOULD I USE A MAINTAINER?
Any battery will discharge while not in use. Lead from a battery that is fully discharged for twelve hours will begin to sulfate. Eventually, sulfates will crystallize, preventing recharging. A battery that is completely discharged WILL LOSE LONGEVITY. Whether you have a boat, motorcycle, classic collector car, rare-use car, RV, or battery-powered lawn mower, using a maintainer will help your battery last the seven or more years it was. meant to last. . Remember that the typical alternator takes at least fifteen minutes to fully charge a battery, so a jump start every now and then won’t be enough.
These affordable devices are easy to use and will pay for themselves time and time again by reducing frustration, peace of mind and avoiding replacement costs. Everyone in your family should have one for each vehicle they own. I think I just heard someone say, “I just finished my Christmas shopping!” Happy motoring!