Choosing a battery
for your car is not always easy considering the amount of information you can
find and the different types of battery available.
It's important to be
well informed on the type of batteries that you can use.
Car battery don't
last for ever !
First thing to
consider is what is your budget.
For the same car a
battery could cost between $70 to $300.
In relation with the
price is the quality of your battery.
Your car battery
could last between 3 to 8 years.
Once you have decided
what price, feature and quality you are considering you can start looking.
The different criteria to check when buying a car battery are:
- Are you living in a hot or cold environment.
Hot
climates damage car batteries faster due to water loss, heat distortion and an
increase in corrosion. If you have a low maintenance battery, it is important
to ensure it is topped up with electrolyte and batteries are kept in full state
of charge.
For this reason calcium battery are better they last longer and shelf life, greater overcharge acceptance and an increase in available power.
Wet-cell lead acid batteries plate were made of Antimony now manufacturer start to use more and more calcium .
Calcium batteries can
be used with any cars.
- Another parameter to check is the Battery
CHARGE Codes In the absence of a valid purchase receipt, an assessment of
the batteries age can be concluded by checking the charge code.
This code is a
combination of a letter and number located on the top of the battery lid.
Battery date code
explained: 1st Digit = Month A to M (January to December) 2nd Digit =
Year 7= 2007, 8=2008 etc)
Dont
buy a battery from shop like Super cheap, Autobarn as you don't know how long
the batteries have been sitting there.
Find
a battery shop that buys them on a regular basis. That way the batteries are
fresh.
- Battery feature to consider:
-
Maintenance free battery
-
Traditional, wet-cell lead acid batteries
-
Charge indicator
-
Mounting flexibility
-
Vibration resistance temperature tolerant
- Manufacturer
Most manufacturer are
in China (Century are Yuasa ), Odyssey is a quality brand made in the US.
- Check battery warranty 24 month should be the
minimum.
The two main types of Batteries compared
If we compare Maintenance free batteries and Traditional, wet-cell lead
acid batteries
The advantages
of a wet-cell lead acid batteries are :
Advantages:
- Longer life
- Lower initial cost
- Less sensitive to higher temperatures
- Perform better in heavy-duty applications
- Disadvantages:
- Require adding water, specific gravity checks
- Electrolyte can spill and corrode
Cool-down time needed
after charging
The advantage of
a Maintenance
free batteries are:
Advantages:
- No watering required
- Reduced maintenance
- Opportunity charging is acceptable
- Little to no cool-down time necessary after
charging
- Sealed design prevents electrolyte spills,
corrosion
Disadvantages:
- Higher initial cost
- Must be charged on approved,
voltage-controlled charger
- Full cycle charging time is longer
In shops you might come across deep cycle batteries they are not design for Automotive purpose.
Automotive
batteries are designed to be fully charged when starting the car; after
starting the vehicle, the alternator charge the battery and keep it fully
charged.
Deep
cycling an automotive battery will cause damage to the plates and shorten
battery life.
What make the quality of the battery is the Material used.
The main 2 used for Automotive batteries are:
1. Lead Antimony ( Most commonly used ).
Advantages:
1. Longer service
life than Calcium batteries. When well maintain.
2. Easier to recharge when completely discharged.
3. Lower cost.
2. Easier to recharge when completely discharged.
3. Lower cost.
2. Lead Calcium ( AC Delco maintenance free batteries ).
Is a maintenance free lead acid battery which uses lead calcium cell plates.
Is a maintenance free lead acid battery which uses lead calcium cell plates.
Advantages:
1. Larger electrolyte reserve area above the plates.
2. Higher Cold Cranking Amp ratings.
3. Little or No maintenance.
1. Larger electrolyte reserve area above the plates.
2. Higher Cold Cranking Amp ratings.
3. Little or No maintenance.
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