We have worked alongside battery charging experts, CTEK, to look at the top-10 things that are most likely to drain your battery. Modern passenger, commercial and emergency service vehicles are packed with power-hungry tech, so a flat battery is not off the cards if the vehicle’s battery is not tested and charged appropriately.
Let’s take a look at the top 10:
Without any drain on the battery at all, simply sitting on a shelf, a lead acid battery can go from a fully charged state at 12.72V to chemically discharged at 11.8V. It will naturally discharge at a rate of 0.1V per month and at 11.8V you would struggle to start the vehicle. If a battery is sitting on a shelf, without any use at all, it will be flat in around eight months.
When parked up, with the ignition off, a vehicle’s battery is still working hard to power some of the technology, such as the clock, alarm, cooling systems. Some vehicles are on a manufacturer communication network (Telematics Control Unit) and regular updates are sent out. Any instruction from your phone, eg switching lights on, will also be on the same network.
Your vehicle will burst into life every time a door opens. The alarm disables, the locking system operates and the lights go on. Simply unlocking the vehicle, opening the boot/trunk, closing it and then locking again will use up approximately 50A from the battery. Doing this day-in-day-out takes its toll on the battery. Remember that all the vehicle’s systems are active and on high-alert during this process.
If your keys are close to the vehicle, the keys and vehicle will keep talking to each other. Overnight this will have a considerable drain on the battery. Don’t leave your keys on a hook near the vehicle!
Post-covid and fuel prices are changing our driving habits, but too many short drives significantly drain the battery. To just start the vehicle, 150-350A of battery power are needed just to get it moving. On a short trip, the alternator does not have the chance (or time) to replenish the charge. Lots of short trips will flatten the battery.
A parasitic drain is something that has a constant drain on the battery. Think about making sure that everything is properly switched off, the glovebox is shut before leaving the vehicle.
Once a vehicle is moving, it needs the alternator to help it charge the battery. If the alternator is faulty, this process won’t work. The battery won’t charge correctly, and you may have problems starting your vehicle.
In freezing temperatures, a battery loses about 35% in performance. If the chill drops further than that, the battery may lose up to 50% in performance. It is a good idea to keep an eye on any changes in the electrical system operation or how the vehicle starts. Keep alert to any signs of a weakening battery.
Sulphation sets in below 12.4V. The battery plates build up with sulphate crystals, this reduces the battery capacity, degradation sets in, and cranking potential decreases. The battery is already dying. More than 87% of batteries that have been returned under warranty claims are deteriorating because of sulphation – this can be avoided.
If you don’t pay attention to all the above points, you stand a good chance of reducing the life of your battery. Some of the reasons why a battery needs to be replaced will depend on your geography and your life/work style. Significant temperature changes, multiple short journeys, frequent short trips, and everyday use without testing and charging will reduce your battery’s life. could shorten the life of your battery to as little as two to three years if you don’t look after your battery.
HOW TO LOOK AFTER YOUR BATTERY
Monthly charging will triple the life of your battery. Get into a regular battery maintenance routine throughout the year. Be alert to changes in the electrics or the start-up of your vehicle.
Investing in charging technology is an important decision. Take a look at https://www.rotronicsbms.com/products/battery-charger.html to help work out which is the best option for you.
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