Battery Maintenance

      Batteries used in automobiles, lighting systems, mobile vehicles, light and heavy commercial vehicles produce the energy needed in the area where they are used. The operation of the mechanisms depends on the battery. In order to ensure high performance, the batteries must be maintained at certain intervals. Battery maintenance is at least as important as correct battery use.

How to Maintain Battery?

      Battery mechanisms can exert a lot of effort during the day in some vehicles. In city uses where stop-start processes are frequent, the charging and discharging process can be repeated many times, whether it is normal batteries or batteries with start-stop technology. The batteries, which provide the power needed by the engine without any problems, may also require maintenance after a while. These situations are oxidation of the battery heads, the battery is fully seated in the mechanism and the decreasing energy is supplemented. We can answer the question of what to pay attention to in the maintenance of the battery, in different ways, within these factors. Whether the battery is on or off, it should be routinely checked for oxidation or determination of residual energy. If there is oxidation at the poles, it is cleaned with the recommended applications, if it is moved enough to cause shaking, it is corrected, the soundness of the cable connections and the need for pure water are checked.

How to Maintain According to Battery Types?

      There are various models in batteries according to different usage areas. In terms of maintenance, a method can be determined according to battery types. EFB battery maintenance, which is used in vehicles with start-stop technology, requires procedures for wet batteries. AGM battery maintenance, which is also preferred in start-stop and other vehicle types, is subjected to the necessary procedures for dry batteries. In addition, since the mechanisms of each brand may be different, there may be different operations in the maintenance operations. Esan Akü maintenance is also different depending on the battery type. However, it gives information with GGGYMV codes at the point of determining the remaining battery energy. If you want to learn the production date of your battery and calculate the remaining usage time accordingly, you can make a determination with the code specified in the negative pole areas of Esan Akü models. GGG gives information about the day of manufacture, Y the year of manufacture, M the assembly number and V the shift number. Maintenance Methods Suitable for Open Batteries: Batteries specified as open batteries are batteries in the wet battery category. The most important point for open battery maintenance is to check the electrolyte level in the mechanism at regular intervals. They must not exceed the battery plates. If the battery fluid is low, pure water must be included in the supplement. Maintenance Methods Suitable for Closed Battery: Closed batteries cover the dry batteries category. It does not require much maintenance. Gel batteries are also in this category. It is only to ensure that the voltage level of the battery does not fall below 12.4, since operations such as liquid addition cannot be performed in closed battery maintenance operations. It should be checked at regular intervals.

How to Maintain Wet Battery?

      Flooded batteries are lead acid batteries. Therefore, it needs the necessary procedures for lead acid battery maintenance. Although there are types that do not require general maintenance, the electrolyte level should be checked regularly with pure water in models that require maintenance. If this level has decreased, it should not be boosted above its maximum capacity. And during this supplementation, pure water should be added at the specified scale. If there is more water than necessary during the wet battery maintenance, battery leakage may occur.

How to Maintain Dry Battery?

In dry batteries in the closed battery system, not much maintenance can be done. It is very important for dry batteries that the voltage value does not fall below 12.4 V. The processes required for dry battery maintenance are also required for gel battery maintenance or AGM battery maintenance.

Battery Maintenance Considerations

      Electrolyte level of the battery The electrolyte level should be checked regularly. Electrolyte supplement is required in battery types inside flooded batteries, and a boost is required with pure water. Where the electrolyte level of the battery should be on the plates is a point that should be known very well. Electrolyte supplementation is made between the maximum and minimum lines in the supplement. Adding distilled water In flooded batteries with low electrolyte levels, distilled water may also be required. No reinforcement should be made above the rate specified in the section How to add pure water to the battery. This should be followed on the indicator showing the level amount. Acid stratification If the electrolyte level is below 80 percent, acid stratification may occur in case of discharge. In order to avoid this, the electrolyte level should be checked at 6-month intervals. Charge test The battery performs much better in a certain temperature range. Otherwise, the battery life may decrease, and the desired efficiency cannot be obtained in charging processes. Therefore, the charging test to be performed on the battery at certain intervals ensures that the necessary precautions are taken for the battery life. Battery cleaning Sometimes the battery heads can oxidize. This may cause problems for the battery to function properly. In addition, parts such as metal should not come into contact with the battery surface. The contact of the parts should be prevented and the oxidizing areas should be cleaned with a small amount of carbonate and a toothbrush. Checking the cable connections and battery assembly In order for the vehicle components to operate in the most correct way, the battery cable connections must be connected correctly and securely. Likewise, the correct positioning of the battery in its own mechanism is necessary in order to prevent battery and vehicle malfunctions. Regular maintenance and cable and battery assembly should also be checked. Starting the vehicle at regular intervals Vehicles may not be operated for a certain period of time, especially in winter seasons. However, this is not beneficial in terms of battery life. Operating the vehicle for 15 minutes every 2-3 days determines the lifetime of the battery.

Recommendation Content: How is the Battery Affected in Sudden Temperature Changes?

How to maintain battery in winter?

      During the winter months, most people go to places such as work or school using public transportation. The batteries of the cars that are not used during this period may decrease in terms of service life and working performance. In order to prevent this, there are extra precautions to be taken regarding battery maintenance in winter;

• Make sure to run your vehicles for 15 minutes, even if it is every 2-3 days.
• Check for oxidation. You can eliminate this by pouring hot water.
• Check the cable connections. Clean the cable ends and battery surface.
• Check the battery electrolyte and distilled water level. If it is reduced, add the required amount.
• Check the voltage value in dry batteries.
• Have the components such as the alternator and the starter motor checked before the winter season.
• Check the engine oil and oil filters annually as well.