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 Until somebody figures out how to build a car that doesn't rely on a
battery, dead batteries will remain the bane of all motorists. While we
recently discussed how to choose the right replacement battery
for your car, properly maintaining and charging your car's battery will
prevent battery failures and keep you from unnecessarily having to
replace your battery.
One of the major causes of battery failure is improper maintenance of
the battery itself or the attached terminals and cables. Corrosion of
the battery posts and the cables that attach to it can reduce the
ability of the charging system to re-invigorate the battery and lead to a
constantly undercharged battery that could let you down when you least
expect it. Proper cleaning of the terminals and replacement of frayed
cables will ensure the charging amps being produced by the alternator or
generator are making their way into the battery. For those traditional
batteries that still have removable caps, the water level inside should
also be periodically checked. The battery will not recharge to its full
potential unless the plates inside the battery are covered in
electrolyte. As the battery charges, the chemical reaction releases
water vapor, which will lower the water level in the battery. Once the
level becomes too low, the battery will not accept a charge or a jump
start. New batteries no longer have caps to inspect; however, they still
use a venting system. On some sealed batteries, the vapor is reclaimed,
while many import car non-sealed batteries use a vent tube that expels
vapor and gases safely away from the battery.
Read the original entry here.
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Re: Tech 101: Maintaining and Charging a Battery
