The battery works due to the fact that two different metals, being in an acidic solution, generate electricity.
The battery is 100% efficient at 27°C. At -18°C, the efficiency of the same battery drops to 40%. Now, in order to start the engine, it is necessary to have more than twice as much energy as was needed at 27°C.
starting power (starting amps) indicates the battery's ability to start the vehicle in very cold weather. It shows the number of amps that the battery produces for 30 seconds at -18°C without a voltage drop below 7.2 volts (the minimum level required for a reliable start). The higher this figure, the greater the starting power of the battery.
Standby capacity indicates the length of time in minutes that the battery provides 25 amps at 27°C. This factor represents the time during which the battery provides operation of all auxiliary devices in the car at night and in bad weather conditions with a faulty charge generator.
In winter conditions at -18°C and below, the battery will not charge well due to an increase in internal resistance. For short trips in winter, the energy used by the battery to start is not compensated. As a result, the battery wears out, constantly discharges and eventually fails.
During the summer months, after long trips, the engine becomes very hot and it often happens that it is difficult to start it again. Such "hot starts" sometimes require as much power as in cold weather, or more. This is especially true for large displacement high compression engines and air-conditioned vehicles. This once again emphasizes the importance of choosing the right battery according to the vehicle's engine.
Warning: It is necessary to work in protective glasses. Do not allow droplets of acid and particles containing lead compounds to come into contact with eyes, skin or clothing.
Warning: The electrolyte is very corrosive. Use protective gloves and goggles. Do not tilt the battery as electrolyte may spill out of the vents. If electrolyte gets into your eyes, immediately flush your eyes with clean water for several minutes. After that, contact your doctor immediately. If electrolyte comes into contact with skin or clothing, immediately neutralize the acid with alkaline soap and wash the affected area with plenty of clean water. If electrolyte is ingested by mistake, consult a doctor immediately.
Warning: When batteries are charged, an explosive mixture of gases is released.
Warning: When working with wires and electrical appliances, the use of fire, sparking devices, open flammable light devices and smoking is prohibited. Avoid sparking when handling wires and electrical devices. Never short-circuit the battery terminals: there is a great danger of injury due to strong sparks.
Warning: Before carrying out any work on the vehicle's electrical system, disconnect the negative cable from the battery. When replacing incandescent lamps, it is enough to turn off the corresponding switches.
Warning: When disconnecting the battery from the car's on-board electrical system, first disconnect the negative wire, and then the positive one. When the engine is running, the battery must not be disconnected, otherwise the electronic devices of the electrical system will be damaged.
Warning: When installing a battery in a vehicle, connect the positive lead first and then the negative lead.
Warning: To protect the battery case from UV radiation, do not store the battery in direct daylight.
Checking the electrolyte level
Location of marks for checking the electrolyte level in the battery
The battery is almost maintenance-free under normal vehicle operating conditions. At high ambient temperatures, it is recommended to check the electrolyte level in the battery from time to time. You should also check the electrolyte level while charging the battery. It must always be between the MIN and MAX marks on the longitudinal sides of the battery, see fig. The location of the marks for checking the electrolyte level in the battery.
When the electrolyte level drops, add distilled water to the appropriate jars up to the MAX mark. This must be done before the electrolyte falls below the MIN·mark.
Do not fill the electrolyte above the required level, otherwise the electrolyte will flow out through the vent. This can damage the paintwork and corrode the bodywork.
After topping up the electrolyte, tightly close the corresponding battery banks with stoppers.
Operation in winter conditions
In winter, a particularly large load falls on the battery. In addition, at low temperatures, the battery gives out when starting the engine only a part of the power that it has at a positive temperature. Therefore, we recommend checking the battery before the start of the winter season and recharging it if necessary.
If the car is not used for several weeks in very cold weather, the battery should be removed and stored in a heated room so that it does not freeze and therefore does not collapse.
Charging the battery
Before charging, turn off the ignition and all current consumers.
When charging with low current (e.g. with a low power charger), there is generally no need to disconnect the connecting wires of the onboard electrical system. In any case, the charger manufacturer's instructions must be followed.
Before an accelerated charge, which means a charge with a high current, both wires connecting the battery to the onboard electrical system should be disconnected from the battery.
We recommend that you no longer place a battery once frozen and thawed on the car, as the battery monoblock may have cracks inside due to the formation of ice when the battery freezes.
If the battery has been disconnected from the on-board network and reconnected to it.
When you disconnect the battery from the on-board network, keep in mind that:
- all data from the memory device of the trip computer is erased;
- all data in the driver's seat memory is erased;
- clock with arrow indication stops, clock with digital indication goes astray;
- the factory-installed receiver is disabled;
- automatic raising and lowering windows with power windows does not work.
After connecting the battery to the on-board network, you should reset the clock with both an arrow and a digital display.
Next, you should restore the functioning of the automatic full lifting and lowering of the windows.
In addition, you must re-initialize the driver's seat memory, otherwise the settings will not be remembered.
A factory-installed radio can only be made operational by entering the appropriate code - see "Radio user manual".
Removing the battery
1. Before removing the battery, turn off the ignition and disconnect all current consumers.
2. To remove the battery, first disconnect the negative cable (mostly black or brown).
3. The positive terminal of the battery is protected by a cover. Open the cover and then disconnect the positive wire (in most cases red).
4. Unscrew the battery fastener and remove it.
Installing the battery
1. Install the battery in its place and secure it with a bolt.
2. When connecting the battery, connect the positive cable first (in most cases red) and then negative wire (mostly black or brown).
3. The positive terminal of the battery is protected by a cover. Close the lid.
Buying a battery
Probably the most important thing a buyer should pay attention to is the characteristics of the battery. There are three of them. The first is the nominal voltage, it is the same for all batteries, and it is impossible to make a mistake. When buying, it is advisable to check the battery with a load plug. The second is the capacitance, measured in ampere / hours (A/h), means, roughly speaking, the amount of electricity stored in the battery. It depends on the capacity how long you can turn the engine with the starter, more precisely, how many attempts you can make to start the engine. The price of a battery is almost directly proportional to its capacity. And the third characteristic is the starting current (measured in amperes, A), i.e. the current supplied to the starter during starting. On batteries, it can be indicated according to four different systems: GOST (on domestic), EN (European standard), SAE (american standard) and DIN. The last, German standard, is closest to our GOST and is installed on most European batteries "default", i.e. when the standard system is not specified. The larger it is, the faster and with more force the starter will turn the engine.
It is better if you buy a battery with the characteristics that are indicated in the operating instructions for your car: this way it will last you longer at minimal cost. You can save money and buy a battery with a smaller capacity, but it will serve you less than usual and will not cope well with winter starting. If you buy a battery of even a slightly larger capacity, you will not win in terms of service life, because the constant undercharging of the battery will lead to sulfation of the plates, and you will lose money. You should also not get carried away with increased starting current: you will burn the starter. It is better to change the oil in the engine, and there will be no problems with starting.
Recently, the country's market is full of low-quality goods and fakes. Batteries are no exception. There are several signs by which it is possible to distinguish the original from the fake with sufficient accuracy. First and, perhaps, most importantly, the country of manufacture and the producing plant must be indicated on the battery, it is better if with an address. Secondly, the date of manufacture must be indicated, which is very important if the battery is flooded. Each battery must be accompanied by a technical data sheet, but the presence of instructions is optional. This is due to the fact that in the West, batteries are almost never sold at retail, they are installed by specialists at service stations. Thirdly, a high-quality battery is unthinkable without a high-quality case, good plugs and smooth output terminals, often lubricated with technical protective grease against oxidation and covered with colored plastic caps on top.
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