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Frequently
Asked Questions about Automotive Batteries
- What is Cold Cranking Amp (CCA) Rating?
- What is Cranking Amp (CA) Rating?
- What is Reserve Capacity (RC)?
- How can I determine what is the correct battery for my
vehicle?
- Why is battery power not always proportional to its
size?
- What effect does extreme cold have on my battery?
- What effect does extreme heat have on my battery?
- How should I maintain my automobile battery?
- What causes a battery to fail?
- How often should I replace my battery?
- How do I charge a battery?
- How does a car's charging system work?
- How do I jump-start a car with a dead battery?
What is
Cold Cranking Amp (CCA) Rating?
This industry rating measures the cranking power a battery has
available to start a car's engine at 0 degrees F. Battery Council International
defines it as the number of amperes a lead acid battery at 0 degrees F can
deliver for 30 seconds and maintain at least 1.2 volts per cell. Top
of Page
What is Cranking Amp (CA)
Rating?
Similar to CCA; Cranking amps is a measure of the number of
amperes a lead acid battery at 32 degrees F can deliver for 30 seconds and
maintain at least 1.2 volts per cell. (CA ratings are more commonly used in
climates where temperatures rarely drop to 0F.) Top of Page
What is Reserve Capacity (RC)?
A battery's Reserve Capacity represents the length of
time the battery can maintain the vehicle's electrical needs in the event the
alternator fails. Battery Council International defines Reserve Capacity
as a measure of the time (in minutes) a lead-acid battery can deliver 25 amps
at 80 degrees F and maintain terminal voltage of at least 1.75 volts/ cell.
Top of Page
How can I determine
what is the correct battery for my vehicle?
Consult your vehicle's owner's manual. It will provide the
vehicle manufacturer's group size and CCA rating requirements for your car. Or,
ask your battery retailer to refer to his battery application materials for
recommended fitment. Remember: Never use a battery with a CCA lower than the
manufacturer's recommendation. Also, whenever available, a battery with a
higher CCA is more capable of providing for the electrical needs of older
vehicles, and will not adversely affect the vehicle's electrical system.
Top of Page
Why is battery
power not always proportional to its size?
A battery's group size is simply a measure of the physical
dimensions of the battery. This measure has no relation to the battery's
electrical capacity. Regardless of group size (physical dimensions), two
batteries are equal in power if the RC and CCA ratings are the same.
Top of Page
What effect does extreme
cold have on my battery?
Cold temperatures dramatically reduce the effectiveness of
chemical reactions within the battery, while increasing the battery's internal
resistance. Both of these cause a reduction in cranking power as temperatures
drop. Batteries left in a discharged state are also susceptible to freezing,
which damages internal components and containers. Cars require an increased
amount of cranking power in cold weather, due to the fact that motor oil is
thicker and makes engines harder to crank. Top of Page
What effect does extreme
heat have on my battery?
Heat is the number one cause of battery failure. Extreme heat
causes the water in the battery's electrolyte to evaporate. Further, heat
causes a battery's positive plate grids to corrode more rapidly. Both of these
conditions are detrimental to the long-term life of a battery. Top
of Page
How should I maintain
my automobile battery?
Modern automotive batteries need little attention. If your battery has
removable vents, check the water level and add good drinking-quality water (distilled water is preferred) as
necessary to maintain the level just below, but not touching the bottom of the
vent wells as shown. This will help extend the life of the battery. (Be careful
never to overfill, as this will cause acid to be expelled from the vents during
normal battery cycling.) Check both terminals regularly for corrosion and tight
connections. (If necessary, clean with baking soda and water.)
Top of Page
What causes a battery to
fail?
Heat, vibration and malfunctioning vehicle electrical systems
are the largest contributors to battery failures. Top of Page
How often should I replace
my battery?
Battery life will vary from vehicle to vehicle based upon many
factors. If you experience unsatisfactory performance from the vehicle's
starting system, or an instrument panel indication is that there may be a
malfunction, take the vehicle to have the electrical/ starting systems checked.
Consider an upgrade to a battery with higher cranking performance if you
experience insufficient performance from your vehicle's current battery.
Top of Page
How do I charge a battery?
All batteries contain acid and can cause injury if not regarded
as dangerous.
1- Wear proper eye and skin protection.
2- Charge only in an area where ventilation is adequate and the battery is
unlikely to be disturbed.
3- Never attempt to charge a frozen battery.
4- Always keep vent caps in place while charging.
5- Never allow anyone to smoke around a charging battery.
6- Unplug charger before connecting the battery. Be sure to observe proper
polarity when connecting charger leads to the battery.
7- Refer to the charger manufacturer’s instructions for safe charger operation.
Top of Page
How does a car's charging
system work?
A modern automobile's vehicle's charging system consists of 3
major components:
Alternator - Mechanical device driven by the engine accessory belt. It provides
continuous voltage to replenish the battery while the engine is running.
Voltage Regulator - Monitors the battery's state of charge and adjusts
alternator activity as necessary to charge the vehicle's battery and provide
power necessary to run accessories.
Battery - An electrical reservoir used to store electrical energy until it is
needed by the vehicle's starting system to crank the engine and power the fuel
and ignition systems. Top of Page
How do I jump-start
a car with a dead battery?
Remember: All batteries contain acid and can
cause injury if not regarded as dangerous.
1- Wear proper eye and skin protection.
2- Connect the positive cable to the positive terminal of the discharged
battery.
3- Connect the other end of the same cable to the positive post on the boosting
vehicle's battery.
4- Connect the negative (black) cable to the negative post of the booster
battery.
5- Make final jumper cable connection to the engine block of the stalled
vehicle.
6- Start disabled vehicle and disconnect cables in reverse order, taking
precautions to keep all hands, clothing, hair and cables out of all moving
parts. Top of Page
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