Battery Maintenance for Beginners | You Can and Should Charge Your Vehicle Battery
Battery maintenance has long been a struggle for vehicle owners. Many times, owners don't know their battery needs some TLC before it's too late. Most owners don't even know that you can, and should charge your vehicle batteries, aside from the occasional jump-start after the lights were left on by accident.
Today's vehicles are being produced with high-end electrical systems for ease, comfort, and added luxury. But these systems can take a major toll on your car or truck's battery. Even the simplest act of opening and closing the car doors can drain the battery, so it's important to maintain your battery, just as you maintain your fuel tank. Below are three main causes for shortened battery life and how you can help avoid these issues.
Main Causes for Shortened Battery Life:
1. Sulfation:
Sulfation is a buildup of lead sulfate crystals, and the number one cause of battery failure in lead-acid batteries. This happens when a battery is overcharged, stored above recommended temperature, or is stored without a full charge.
It is normal to have some sulfation, as it is part of the natural chemical process of batteries. However, when too much sulfation occurs, it can impact battery performance and ultimately cause battery failure.
2. Acid Stratification
Acid stratification happens when the two liquids in a battery begin to separate. The electrolytes in a stratified battery concentrate at the bottom of the cell, starving the upper portion of the battery.
Acid stratification often happens during cold winter months where the battery may not be fully charged and is left to sit below a full charge. Some believe that leaving the car idling, or taking a drive will help to charge the battery. However, leaving the car idling, and driving in heavy traffic do not sufficiently charge the battery to a full charge.
3. Water Loss
As water in the battery is consumed, the electrolyte concentration increases. As electrolyte levels become more concentrated, the electrolyte level in the battery drops along with the loss of water volume. This causes the liquids in the battery to fall below the top of the electrodes, exposing them to oxygen and charging gasses.
Water loss typically happens when a battery is over charged.
How to Extend the Life of Your Battery:
Although you will have to replace your battery at some point in time if you have your car or truck long enough, taking proper care of your battery will help to extend the life of your vehicle's battery. Our fully automatic, unique 8-step approach to charging batteries makes battery maintenance virtually effortless.
CTEK MXS 5.0
Our CTEK MXS 5.0 is built with the beginner in mind. This product features our unique 8 step charging program that combines advanced charging modes that are fast, effective, versatile, and most of all, safe to use. The CTEK MXS 5.0 features a special reconditioning function that restores stratified and deeply charged batteries. In addition to the non-sparking and reverse polarity protection, it is also weather-proof, dust-proof, and short-circuit proof.
CTEK MULTI US 7002
Our CTEK MULTI US 7002 product is our most universal, unique, and technologically-advanced smarter charger for consumers. This new generation battery charger is ideal for your car, camper, or boat, and is built to use all year long in all weather conditions. There is no need for any specific knowledge of batteries or charging methods. With all of the benefits of the CTEK MXS 5.0, this charger also features a unique Recond mode that restores power capacity to a stratified battery.
Take a look at our other battery charging products by visiting our vehicle page, and be sure to check back here every now and then for more battery maintenance tips and tricks!
