Car battery maintenance in the summer season
The hot days of the year arrive with all its goodness, and the first thing that comes to drivers’ minds is boiling and stopping the car. In fact, the hot days of the year cause the most damage to the car battery, although this also applies to the cold. A battery converts chemical energy into electrical energy. Usually, the battery is damaged in two ways: the car turns on and off continuously and is not used for a long time. Of course, continuous checks and following some very simple tips can prevent injury. In this article, we are going to teach you how to take care of your car battery in hot weather by presenting some simple solutions. But before that, it is better to get some information about the battery, its parts and how it works.
Car battery components
Car battery has different parts for operation. including:
- Plates: which includes two negative (lead) and positive (lead peroxide) poles and an insulating plate
- Indicator
- Battery electrolyte
- box
- cap
- Terminals
- Battery poles
Which parts need battery power to operate?
In general, the task of the car battery is to supply the car with electricity. Electricity is needed to start the car, but the engine does not have any stored power to run. The primary ignition needs electrical energy with a certain voltage to start, which is supplied through a battery. But how does the battery transfer this energy to the engine to start when it is off?
When the car is on and working, the alternator starts to store electricity. In this way, the initial amount of electricity is provided to start the car when it is off. But the operation of the car battery is not limited to this. Car lights also need electricity to turn on and it supplies it from the battery. The air conditioning system also needs electricity for its operation, so to activate the cooler or heater, the battery must provide the necessary energy.
Another part that needs electricity to perform its activity is the audio system, therefore the car battery must Provide the amount of electricity it needs. Car warning systems, which are responsible for informing the driver in emergency situations, will need battery power for their operation, which will be fulfilled in this way.
How is the performance of the car battery?
When you put the switch and start the car, the car battery is connected to the electric circuit and starts charging. Electrolyte acts as the interface between the positive and negative poles of the battery and is capable of quickly converting chemical energy into electrical energy. In such conditions, an electrochemical reaction occurs and generates energy that converts the active substance on the plates into lead sulfate.
During this transformation, hydrogen and oxygen molecules also begin to be released. Then it turns into water and electrons are released in the positive plane and it also meets the needs of the negative plane. The exchange that takes place in the two positive and negative plates causes the generation of voltage or electric potential in the two ends of the battery.
What is the optimal temperature for the useful operation of the car battery?
The ideal and optimal temperature for the useful life of the car battery is 26.6 centigrade. When the air temperature reaches above 30 degrees, it affects the performance of the car and causes the liquid inside the battery to evaporate. Depletion of battery water also plays a big role in causing deposits and corrosion, and the performance of other parts of the car is also disrupted.
An increase in air temperature leads to an increase in battery capacity. For example, if we compare the capacity of a lead acid battery at a temperature of 50 degrees above zero with its capacity at a temperature of 25 degrees Celsius, I must say that you will face a 12% increase in battery capacity in hot weather. Of course, this increase in capacity will not be without complications. As the battery capacity increases at high temperature, the battery life will decrease. In other words, the farther you are from the optimal temperature range of the battery (both in heat and cold), the more likely damage will occur.
How does heat damage a car battery?
There are many factors that lead to battery damage, one of which is the hot season. The heat of the air is an important factor in the evaporation of the liquid inside the battery. This will put more pressure on the battery when the car’s air conditioner is on. Boiling the battery due to heat is another problem that you see happening in hot weather. In this condition, the temperature of the acidic liquid inside the battery rises sharply.
The options in the car, the most important of which is the cooler or heater, are another factor in the damage to the car battery. Using them a lot puts pressure on the battery and causes it to be damaged. After that, we can refer to the broadcasting system, connecting a mobile phone or tablet or GPS, etc.
Tips that help increase battery life in the hot season
Most of the car owners are fully aware of the effects of cold weather and its damages on the battery, so they take good care of the car battery in this season. In the summer, however, they do not pay much attention to checking the health of the battery. Although the batteries are usually designed and manufactured to be compatible with different weather conditions (that is, it enables you to use the car in all conditions), but its continuous check is very important. Because at some point of time, a lot of pressure may be applied to the battery and disrupt its performance. Therefore, in the hot seasons of the year, the battery should be specially protected, and you can prevent injuries by doing some tips.
Protect the car battery from heat
Keeping the battery cool in the hot season is one of the necessities. Stopping the car under the sun for a long time causes injuries. Heat contributes to the evaporation of the liquid inside the battery and the erosion of the internal networks, and will ultimately lead to a decrease in the useful life of the battery. To prevent these injuries in the heat, park the car in a covered parking lot or under the shade. Using a car cover can also be a good idea.
Repeated starting is prohibited
Starting many times causes the car battery to use a lot of electricity, and every time the car is running, the alternator starts to store electricity. Short-term use of the car a large number of times causes this process to be repeated continuously. Eventually the battery will run out and you won’t be able to start. So don’t use the car for short trips as often as you can.
Avoid sulphation of the battery head
With the passage of time and continuous operation of the car battery, its head starts to be sulfated. That is, sediments will appear on it, which will have a bad effect on the battery’s performance if not handled. When dust and layered deposits form in the battery head, it covers it like an insulator and prevents the passage of air into the battery.
To prevent malfunction of the battery, it is better to clean the battery head once in a while. For this, you can use the simplest method, which is a solution of baking soda and water along with a metal brush. Anti-corrosion spray is also the second method to clean the battery head. Also, using terminal head protectors will be a good option. To clean the battery head from deposits, you can follow the following steps:
- First you need to turn off the car.
- Let the battery cool completely.
- Be sure to use special gloves to do the work.
- Use protective glasses while working to prevent debris chips from being thrown into the eyes.
- Disconnect the power cables from the battery, first pull the black cable (negative) and then the red cable (positive).
- Use a special spray or a solution of water and baking soda on the surface of the battery.
- Spray the solution on the surface sediments of the battery and wait for it to foam.
- Using a thick cloth, start cleaning the battery from deposits and corrosion.
- After doing the work, wait until the battery is completely dry. Then, without removing the gloves, fasten the cables in the opposite direction of disconnection. That is, first the red cable (positive), then the black cable (negative).
Check the water in the car battery
But another useful thing to do at the beginning of the hot season is to check the car’s battery water. Since this fluid is acidic, it is best to get the help of a car battery manufacturer to check the battery water. Continuous checking of battery water is especially important in increasing its life. So that when the battery water decreases, its performance decreases and serious damage is caused to the internal parts of the battery.
If you want to check the car’s battery water yourself, first open the plastic cover of the compartment and check the amount of liquid in all parts. The liquid must cover up to the top of the screen, otherwise, if it decreases, it must be refilled.
Avoid applying pressure to the battery
Consider the condition of the battery while driving and use the options that are really needed. Be careful in using air conditioning and air conditioning as well as the audio system because it puts pressure on the battery in the hot season.
Avoid keeping electrical devices connected to the car during shutdown
When you are going to turn off the car, disconnect any electrical equipment connected to it. Devices such as mobile phones, GPS, if they are not disconnected from the power supply, cause the consumption of battery power, which eventually leads to battery depletion. Keeping the battery empty and not charging it soon will shorten the battery life.
Prevent the car battery from draining
Being off the car for a long time is also troublesome and has a negative effect on the performance of the car’s battery. When the car does not move for several days or more, the battery charge decreases and becomes empty. If you are sure that you will not use your car for a few days, charge it fully before doing anything, disconnect it from the car and put it in the trunk.
Charge the battery with the help of a special charger
There is another way to prevent the car battery from emptying when starting, and that is connecting to a special charger to fill the battery charge. These chargers gradually start charging the battery and continue to do so until it is needed. These chargers have a regulator that stops the process after the battery is fully charged.
Other useful tips to keep the car battery healthy in the summer:
- Use a good quality battery for your car that has good resistance at high temperature and has less problems.
- When checking the battery, be careful that its power should be 50 mAh. All its parts must be installed in place and dry and clean.
- The battery is fixed in place and its surface is covered with sulfate-free Vaseline.
In general, the useful life of a car battery is 3-5 years, which you can increase its life by taking the mentioned measures.
What are the signs of battery damage?
But the question that arises is how to know that the battery has a problem? In general, if you see the following symptoms, you should check your car battery.
- It rattles when you start it, but there is not enough power to start.
- Diminishing car light intensity or flickering.
- Failure to start the car.
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