When performing auto electrical repairs, the first vehicle component you should learn about is the car battery. Although the battery only stores 12 volts, it is the electrical source for the entire vehicle. You will not be able to start your engine without the battery. In addition, the automatic battery helps to operate all the electrical accessories installed in your car. A car battery should last 3-5 years in average climates. However, extremely hot or cold climates will reduce this to just 2-3 years.
A car battery is made up of six cells, each of which contains stacked positive and negative lead plates. These are divided and separated by insulators and immersed in an electrolyte, a liquid mixture of sulfuric acid and water. However, some batteries use a gel instead of the electrolyte. This is considered safer and because you don’t have to recharge it with electrolyte, it has been labeled “maintenance free”. Each cell generates or, more correctly, stores 2.1 volts for a total of 12.6 volts.
Between the electrolyte and the lead plates a chemical reaction is created. This produces dangerous and explosive gases which are vented through the battery cover vents. Because of this, caution should be used when charging or starting a low battery. The same caution should also be used any time you work under the hood of your vehicle. It is important to provide the best possible ventilation in the battery, so always keep it clean. All batteries, even those that use gel instead of electrolyte, lose charge capacity over time. The reason for this is that chemical breakdown of the connections inevitably occurs, leading to deterioration of the plates and loss of electrolyte.
When your vehicle is having starting or charging problems, your vehicle troubleshooting procedure should begin with a battery test. It does this with a visual check followed by a voltage test. If the battery is OK, other electrical system components are likely the reason, but battery problems are by far the most likely reason.
The good thing about battery check and troubleshooting is that you need very little technical equipment. All you need is a good digital volt and ohm meter and a battery charger.
Each car battery manufacturer uses a certain color in the “eye” of the battery that indicates if a charge is needed. This is a quick and easy way to alert you to recharge. Check the specification of the “eye” of the battery manufacturer and everything related to it.
If you need to replace your car battery, always test it before replacing it. Also test the entire electrical system of your car. The reason for your battery problem may be a weak alternator or a drain in the system and if this is the case it won’t be many weeks before you have to replace the new one as well. What appears to be a battery problem is not always caused by the battery itself. You can get more information on how to repair your car’s electrical system on the web.
