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Car Battery Problems and Maintenance


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Car Battery
Battery type:  on side terminal connection                                                     on top terminal connection

Weak-Dead Battery  symptoms and common circumstances:

• Car is silent when you turn ignition key.
Battery terminal cable connections corroded, bad connection.
Check if they look very corroded, you need to clean battery terminals or replace it.
Check if the battery is fully charged, recharge and test the battery if fail, replace the battery.

• Car makes a clicking noise but won't start.
This usually means a dead battery, check the battery terminals for corrosion bad connection.
Check if the battery is fully charged, recharge the battery.
Check the wiring to the starter motor for loose or corroded connection.

• The car won't start on cold mornings.
This means a weak battery, check if the battery is fully charged, recharge and test the battery.
If the battery test fail, replace the battery.

• Car headlights seem dim.
This means a weak battery or the battery is old, worn out. Recharge the battery, if test fail replace the battery.

• Use the solar batter charger, to recharge your car dead battery on the road.

solar_car_battery_charger Solar Batter charger



Jump Start the Car
jumper cables set  Jumper cables set

• Prepare set of jumper cables, relocate cars so the batteries are close to each other. Make sure that both cars engines are turn off, and on the parking brake. Make sure you recognize which terminal is + positive, and which is – negative. The + positive terminal is marked red and the - negative is black.
• If any battery is damaged or is leaking don’t jump start your car. Check if there isn’t any corrosion on the battery terminals.
• Connect one of the + positive clamp of the jumper cables to the positive + terminal of the dead battery, then connect the other + positive clamp of the jumper cables to the + positive terminal of the good battery.
• Connect one of the - negative clamp of the jumper cables to the – negative terminal of the good battery. Connect the other end of the - negative clamp jumper cable to any metal part of the engine on the dead battery’s car.
Note: Do not connect jumper cable directly to the - negative terminal of the dead battery.
• Jump start the car, run the car with good battery connected for a few minutes, then disconnect the jumper.
jump starter Portable jump starter

• You can use portable Jump Starter to jump start your car.
• Connect one of the + positive cable from the portable jump starter to the positive + terminal of the dead battery, then connect the - negative cable from the portable jump starter to any metal part of the engine on the dead battery’s car.
Note. Do not connect portable jump starter cable to the - negative terminal of the dead battery.
• Then jump start the car, run the car with the portable jump starter connected for a few minutes, then disconnect the jump starter.


How to Check Car Battery check battery regularly, all the modern batteries are sealed and maintenance free.

• Note: never work on a battery with a cigarette or near the flame, batteries generates hydrogen gas.
If the acid spreads on your skin or clothes, wash them off immediately with water.
• Be sure to shut the engine off, then disconnect the battery.
• Red color terminal indicates + positive side.
• Remove the negative cable from the battery, if you working on wiring.
• When replacing battery or cables, always remove the negative cable first and connect it last.
• Tie the cables back while you work on the battery.
• Clean off deposits on the positive and negative terminals, first remove the cables.
• Best way is to use a battery terminal brush, rotate the brush on each terminal to shine it, ensure a good electrical connection. Also clean insides of the cable clamps with the clamp cleaner, usually is the one unit.
battery terminal brush  Battery Terminal brush

• Reconnect cables to the battery, the positive cable first and the negative cable last. After you can coat the battery terminals with automotive grease to prevent corrosion.
• Examine the battery cables and clamps to see whether they’re frayed or corroded. If the damage is extensive, the cables and clamps may need to be replaced.
battery cable clamp  Battery Cable clamp

• If the car headlights seem dim, or if the battery is old, check to see whether the electrolyte in the battery is
strong. If it’s weak, the battery may need to be recharged or replaced before it dies.
Hydrometer  Hydrometer electrolyte tester

• Check the battery case and the terminals, if you see cracks in the battery case or excessive terminal damage, replace the battery regardless of its performance.
• Battery indicate charge light.
Usually sealed batteries have a built in hydrometer to indicate charge, usually shows average charge for all cells.
- Green dot means the battery is 75% or more charged and is okay for use.
- No dot a dark indicator means the battery is low and should be recharged before test.
- Clear or yellow indicator means level of electrolyte inside has dropped too low, the battery should be replaced.


Charging Car Battery

 battery chargerbattery charger

• Avoid flames and sparks near battery, never put flammable material on or under charger.
• Make sure the charger clips make good contact with battery terminals, by twisting it.
• Plug charger into an electrical outlet, after all connections have been made. If necessary remove battery from vehicle to charge, turn off all accessories in the vehicle, then remove grounded terminal from battery first.
• Reduce explosive Hydrogen gas before connecting charger, add water to each cell until battery acid covers the plates, do not overfill it. Battery acid expands during charge.
• For maintenance free sealed battery, follow manufacturer's instructions on charging.
A light or bright dot indicates low electrolyte water, such a battery needs to be replaced, do not charged it.
• Be sure area around battery is well ventilated during charging process, locate charger as far from battery as the cables permit. Avoid contact with battery acid.

 
 
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