Thursday 17 December 2015

Qualities of an Excellent Truck Battery

The battery in your vehicle plays a crucial role in your success while on the road. When you have a quality battery in your car or truck, you will never have to worry about serious problems arising, such as your truck suddenly dying on you when you are out driving around. There are good deals of important things for you to examine when you are in the market for a new battery for your truck. Take the time to consider these qualities of an excellent truck battery and you will have no problem finding one to suit your needs.

Voltage is a very important thing to consider when choosing the right battery for your vehicle. A volt is the unit of measurement attributed to the amount of potential that a battery has for power to flow through it. The higher the voltage on a battery, the more of a current that will be able to travel throughout the battery and into the systems of your truck. Though the common voltage on a battery for a truck is somewhere between 12 and 12.6, there are specifics that can change what type of battery your truck requires. Look at the owner’s manual for your vehicle in order to get a better understanding of what you will need before you decide on what battery to purchase.

Another important quality to look for in a battery for your truck is the CCA of the battery. The CCA, or “cold cranking amps,” determines how much voltage is required for your car to start when the temperature reaches very low degrees. This is another thing that you might need to consult your owner’s manual over. Having the right CCA for your battery can help to prevent you from your car stalling out in extreme cold, and give you a more comfortable ride.

Brands may not be the most important thing to consider when you are deciding on a new battery, but it is still important to know what you are getting beforehand. Research different brands for batteries, from the most popular to the more unknown, to see which battery is more likely to perform well when you need it to.

There are many qualities that make for an excellent truck battery. When you do the proper research on what your truck requires, it will be a lot easier to decide whether or not a battery is right for you. For additional information on truck batteries in San Diego, visit this website and learn more.

Wednesday 16 December 2015

New Flow Battery Offers Lower-Cost Energy Storage

Energy storage system owners could see significant savings from a new flow battery technology.....read more

The Benefits of Bringing Your ATV in for a Recharge


 

All-terrain vehicles have many uses. While quad bikes and other types of ATVs are popular for recreational use, many also have more practical applications in any situation where one needs to quickly traverse inhospitable terrain, or for getting around facilities with  distantly-distributed buildings where walking or using a larger motor vehicle would be impractical. The advantage of an ATV is that it packs a large amount of power and speed into a relatively small and lightweight body. The drawback is that this means an ATV battery will require slightly more attention than those in larger vehicles.

  • ATV batteries run the risk of going dead after periods of particularly strenuous use, such as winching, plowing snow or using a sprayer powered by the battery.

  • Things like leaving lights on without the motor running, or leaving the ATV parked with key-power still activated, can also quickly run down an ATV battery.

Since ATVs, unlike cars, often go weeks or months without being used, parking or storing an ATV with its battery still connected for over a month runs a much greater risk of the battery dying and needing to be repaired or replaced. Click here for more information about ATV batteries in San Diego.

Hitachi Maxell and Kopin Announce Advance in Lithium-Ion Battery Performance

Kopin Corp. has entered into an agreement with Hitachi Maxell, Ltd. to produce and market new high-capacity lithium-ion batteries for use in head-worn wearable....read more

Tuesday 15 December 2015

Recycle Your Car Battery


 

Are you at a loss for what to do with that old, dead car battery sitting in your garage? Instead of letting it corrode in the corner, consider recycling it. Car batteries are one of the most recycled items in the country and companies will pay you for your old batteries. Some of the benefits of battery recycling include:

  • Environmental protection from harmful waste chemicals such as lead
  • Preservation of limited precious metals like cobalt
  • Reduction in the use of fossil fuels and precious materials
  • Compensation for your old battery

Companies that participate in battery recycling are able to accept most kinds batteries including, but not limited to lead-acid batteries, UPS batteries, GEL batteries and more. These materials do not belong in landfills, where they have the potential to seep into the ecosystem. Some of the materials in car batteries are nonrenewable resources, meaning conservation is necessary in order to maintain their sustainability.

Proper disposal of your battery is essential in preserving our environment and moving the automotive industry toward sustainability. Don’t let your old batteries collect dust and corrosion in your garage; protect the environment and get a little extra cash back when you properly dispose of your used car battery. For more information on battery recycling in San Diego, visit this website.

How to Check Your Motorhome Battery


 

Since the entire purpose of a motorhome or RV is to allow you to have all of the conveniences of home no matter where you go, it is particularly important to understand the functions of the batteries that power it.

There are 3 ways to check an RV battery:

Dashboard Monitor

Though this is the least accurate method, it’s very simple and gives you a rough idea of whether the battery needs charging. Just make sure the RV isn’t plugged into shore power, turn on a couple of lights, and check the reading.

Test the Voltage

For this, you’ll need a voltmeter and you’ll need to know the voltage of your battery (6 volt or 12 volt). Select DC voltage on the voltmeter, touch its red cord to the battery’s positive terminal and the black cord to the negative. Less than 6.35 volts (for a 6 volt battery) or 12.5 volts (for a 12 volt battery) is an indication that the battery needs charging.

Check the Battery’s Specific Gravity

This requires a hydrometer as well as protective gear. Remove the battery’s vent caps (if it is not sealed), check each cell’s electrolyte levels, fill and drain the hydrometer twice from each cell, then take readings. If the average of all cells is below 1.277, the battery needs to be charged. If there is a difference of at least .50 between the highest and lowest cell readings, you may need to replace it. To learn more about motorhome batteries in Escondido, click here.

Classic Cool


 

Vespa scooters can be a convenient way of traversing city streets, and they maintain an element of hip, vintage style. Equipped with a good battery, these vehicles make a lot of things easier.

Monday 14 December 2015

Extend the Life of Your Car Battery


 

New car batteries can be expensive. However, if you have an under performing battery, you may not necessarily need to replace it just yet. Take it in to a trained professional who can check for the following:

  • The amount of charge your battery can hold
  • How much power your battery gives out
  • Physical condition of the battery, including corrosion and casing damage

Even if it seems dead, there are measures that can be taken to extend the life of your car battery. A technician may be able to repair and refurbish your old battery unit in order to utilize it to its full potential. A professional will also be able to check your connections. If you have bad cables or a corroded terminal, there is a chance they can be cleaned or replaced.

There are a number of products on the market geared toward battery maintenance, including cleaners, testers and replacement terminals. Oftentimes there is nothing wrong with the battery itself, just the connections. Just because your car won’t start does not mean you should immediately assume you have a dead battery. Take your car into a professional battery service to have the performance of your battery tested.

If you need accessories or refurbished batteries in Escondido, don’t hesitate to visit this website for more information.

Common Problems with Golf Cart Batteries


 

Golf carts are an essential part of golfing. The whole experience would be much more difficult and much less fun without them. As such, you always want to make sure your carts are in working order. When golf carts do have problems, they most often involve the battery, and rarely the battery charger. Even issues that would seem to point immediately to the charger are often still battery-related.

Prolonged Storage without Use

If a cart sits in once place for a long period of time without being started up, its battery may gradually lose its charge until it cannot be started the next time it is needed. This process happens even faster at high temperatures, which makes it a particular issue for carts that are stored outdoors. To stay functioning properly, a golf cart should be started up and used regularly.

Nominal Voltage Issues

Many chargers must detect a certain voltage level in the battery before starting to charge it (the ‘nominal voltage’). In some newer models, the charger will not even turn on if it does not detect this voltage. Both of these occurrences can deceptively lead you to believe there is a problem with the charger.

Other Complications

If the cart hasn’t been stored without use for a long period and the battery’s voltage is sound, the issue may in fact be with the charger and will most likely need to be repaired by a professional. Click here for more information on golf cart batteries in Carlsbad.