Few things are more annoying than heading out the door, turning your ignition and… nothing. The dreaded dead battery that leaves you scrambling and already late. Luckily, there are simple strategies you can use to help ensure your battery is primed for reliable starts every time.
Use a Battery Maintainer
One of the best ways to prevent waking up to a dead battery is using a battery maintainer, also called a trickle charger. Unlike a regular charger that provides a sudden surge of electricity to top off a drained battery, maintainers supply just a small steady flow of around one to two amps. According to the people at Clore Automotive, 12- or 24-v battery maintainer hooks up via the power terminals to keep your battery perpetually topped off. This tiny continual charge counteracts the typical three percent self-discharge batteries experience each month from chemical processes. Maintainers have special circuitry to prevent overcharging, so they are safe to leave connected long-term while compensating for the gradual voltage drop during long stretches of inactivity. They are perfect for stored seasonal vehicles to keep batteries primed over winter or summer. They also work well for frequently driven vehicles prone to draining from accessories, short trips and extreme climate swings.
Clean Terminals and Connections
Over time, corrosion buildup on the positive and negative posts can impede conductivity, gradually draining voltage output. Loose connections from damaged cables or faulty clamps also disrupt flow. Use a wire brush or baking soda/water mix to scrub posts and remove any white, green or blue corrosive growths. Scrape battery tops to evict pesky acid film buildup. Dry thoroughly and reconnect cables, replacing any defective wires or clamps. Check tension is secure. The improved connections let unimpeded current flow translate into strong starts.
Avoid Deep Discharges
Deeply draining a lead-acid battery too frequently shortens its lifespan by gradually shedding voltage capacity. Each deep discharge subjects plates to heavier sulfation buildup. If your battery shows a marked drop from its rated cold cranking amps or fails to recharge fully, have it tested for possible replacement. To reduce depletion depth, promptly recharge after heavy electrical loads like winching or extended cranking. Consider a maintainer to deter self-drain sources.
Guard Against Extreme Temperatures
Heat causes accelerated discharge reactions, doubling the self-discharge rate for every 18 degrees over 80 degrees Fahrenheit. This can slowly drain batteries kept in hot garages. Cold also impedes batteries. Chemical reactions within lead-acid batteries slow down dramatically the colder it gets. At 32 degrees, a fully charged battery has just half its rated capacity. Subzero temperatures sap effectiveness further. If stuck with an extremely cold or hot environment, try shifting temperatures towards a moderate range closer to 70-80 degrees for improved longevity.
Eliminate Parasitic Drains
Vehicles contain loads of high-tech gadgets that constantly bleed a small vampire draw even when parked, gradually depleting charge. Key contributors include alarm systems, radio presets, tire pressure monitors, GPS displays, safety sensors, and computer diagnostic modules. When stored, unhook the negative cable disconnect to cut current bleed entirely. For daily use, invest in a maintainer to counteract sneaky parasitic losses during inactive stretches.
Conclusion
A bit of battery TLC goes a long way towards reliable vehicle starts when you need them. Stay proactive by cleaning connections, monitoring water levels, using a trickle charger, avoiding deep discharges, tempering extreme ambient temperatures and eliminating parasitic drains. Identify and resolve small issues before they mushroom into massive headaches down the road. Conducting quick monthly inspections coupled with addressing common battery killers greatly reduces the chances of unexpectedly landing on the dark side of dead some frigid winter morning when you are already running behind schedule.
