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CAR AND DEEP CYCLE BATTERY
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS 5.1
Bill Darden
Last Updated on July 24, 2004
Words of caution: Lead-acid
batteries contain a sulfuric acid electrolyte, which
is a highly corrosive poison and will produce gas when
recharged and explode if ignited. When working with
batteries, you need to wear glasses, have plenty of
ventilation, remove your jewelry, and exercise caution.
Do NOT allow battery electrolyte to mix with salt water.
Even small quantities of this combination will produce
chlorine gas that can KILL you! Please follow the manufacturer's
instructions for testing, jumping, installing, discharging,
charging, equalizing and maintaining batteries.
[Source: BCI (Battery Council International)]
Car batteries are used to start a gasoline
or diesel engines found in approximately 370 million
cars, light trucks and vans worldwide. It also applies
to an estimated 130 million more starting batteries found
in trucks, SUVs, motorcycles, recreation vehicles (RVs),
motor homes, caravans, boats, power sports (snowmobiles
and jet skis), tractors, etc. This FAQ assumes 12-volt,
six cell, negative grounded, lead-acid Car and Deep Cycle
batteries at 80° F (26.7° C) with capacities
from 5 Amp Hours (AH) to 250 AH. The terms "starting", "SLI" and "cranking" are
used for Car batteries but would apply to any lead-acid
battery used to start an engine. When used alone, the
generic term "battery", applies to both lead-acid Car,
other starting, motive and stationary Deep Cycle batteries.
For 6-volt batteries, divide the 12-volt battery voltages
in this FAQ by two; for 8-volt batteries, divide by 1.5;
for 24-volt batteries, double the voltage; for 36-volt
batteries, triple the voltage; and for 48-volt batteries,
multiply by four. Hyperlinks to battery glossaries and
dictionaries can be found in the Battery References
Link List on http://www.uuhome.de/william.darden/index.htm.
Warnings and other important information
are in BOLD text, and the technical stuff, recommendations
and tips are in italics.
CONTENTS
1. WHAT IS THE BOTTOM
LINE AND TIPS?
2. WHY BOTHER?
3. HOW DO I PERFORM
PREVENTIVE MAINTENANCE?
4. HOW DO I TEST A
BATTERY?
5. HOW DO I KNOW IF
THE CHARGING SYSTEM IS OK OR LARGE ENOUGH?
6. HOW DO I JUMP START
MY VEHICLE?
7. WHAT DO I LOOK FOR
IN BUYING A NEW BATTERY?
8. HOW DO I INSTALL
NEW BATTERIES?
9. HOW DO I CHARGE
(OR EQUALIZE) MY BATTERY?
10. WHAT CAUSES MY
BATTERY TO DRAIN OVERNIGHT?
11. HOW CAN I INCREASE
THE LIFE OF MY BATTERY?
12. WHAT ARE THE COMMON
CAUSES OF PREMATURE BATTERY FAILURES?
13. HOW CAN I STORE
BATTERIES?
14. WHAT ARE THE MYTHS
ABOUT BATTERIES?
15. HOW LONG CAN I
PARK MY VEHICLE?
16. HOW CAN I REVIVE
A SULFATED BATTERY?
17. WHY WON'T MY ENGINE
START?
18. WHERE CAN I FIND
MORE INFORMATION ON BATTERIES?
19. HOW CAN I PRINT
THIS FAQ?
The best source of information
about your battery is the manufacturer who made it. Some
manufacturers do any excellent job of informing and educating
their customers about their batteries, by enclosing the
information with each battery and on their Web sites.
It would be best if the battery manufacturers printed
the most important consumer information on the battery
label. If the information is not readily available, ask
the manufacturer to provide it. If they are unwilling,
use another manufacturer's product. This information
is absolutely essential to properly maintaining the battery
and obtaining the optimal performance out of your investment.
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