Increase battery life: what you need to know
The battery accumulates energy when connected to a DC source, and then converts it into electricity and transmits it to devices connected to the vehicle network. The devices work for a long time, but the number of charge/discharge cycles is limited. This means that you will have to buy a new battery after a while.
What happens during the life of a battery
The life of a vehicle battery is set by the device manufacturer. To extend it, one should be aware of the changes that occur in the battery during its use. The capabilities of a battery depend on the number of cycles that the device has already passed:
- 0-20 – the actual battery capacity remains 5-15% lower than the nominal value;
- 20-50 – during this period, the capacity of a vehicle battery gradually increases and reaches the value provided by the manufacturer;
- 50-200 – if the operating conditions are met, the battery’s specifications remain unchanged;
- 200 and further – after passing such a number of cycles, the battery begins to lose capacity.
The value is reduced by about a third. Then the process accelerates, and if the battery capacity drops by more than 50%, it can no longer be used in a vehicle.
Why does the life of a battery decrease?
Another attribute that defines how long a battery lasts is the design of the device. Today there are several technologies for manufacturing batteries, and each of them allows you to preserve the properties of a battery for a certain period of time.
Antimony batteries are almost completely out of use; they are inferior to all other batteries in terms of service life. Hybrid and low-antimony devices last around 5 years, and the life of calcium devices is 6 years. The average battery life of an AMG battery is 10 years, and it’s 15 years for gel-type models. However, this indicator may decrease under the influence of the following aspects:
- Evaporation of the electrolyte in hot weather, which leads to plate exposure and the rapid development of sulfation;
- Plate deterioration due to the low density of the electrolytic solution and its freezing in the cold;
- Interruptions in battery operation due to a malfunction of the vehicle’s on-board power supply and voltage surges;
- A short circuit that occurred due to corrosion, sulfation, factory defects.
The service life of an automotive battery directly depends on how the device is charged. A battery fails rapidly if subjected to a deep discharge. In this case, the electrolyte is contaminated due to battery plate shedding. Constant undercharging also contributes to life reduction of a battery, which does not have time to recover and loses capacity. When overcharged and still connected to the charger for too long, the battery quickly loses its functional properties.
How to extend battery life?
Many car enthusiasts wonder how to extend the battery life. This does not require special skills or knowledge; you should just follow a few simple rules:
- Secure the battery well – if your battery vibrates while you’re driving, it may get mechanical damage;
- Do not make short trips too often – in such cases, the battery spends its charge on starting the engine and does not have time to restore the charge, so the battery life is shortened;
- Make sure your battery case is always clean – contamination contributes to the appearance of rust, which causes short circuits;
- Do not use car appliances with the engine is off – in this situation, the heater, stereo and other devices drain energy from your battery, which does not receive a charge.
Knowing the default battery life set by the manufacturer, you should start checking the voltage closer to the end of this period. To do so, use a voltmeter. If the indicator is 12.7 V or higher, the device is fine. A value of up to 12.5 V indicates the need for charging, 12.4 V indicates that the battery is half discharged. When the battery is fully discharged, the device will show 12.0 V.
What else affects battery life?
How long a car battery lasts also depends on some other aspects. One of them is an increase in temperature. Leaving your vehicle in direct sunlight when it’s hot is not the best option. In such conditions, the evaporation of the electrolyte accelerates, so it is better to put your vehicle in the shade.
It is essential to keep the battery charged even when the vehicle is not in use. In such a situation, you should connect the battery to the charger every now and then to prevent self-discharge, which occurs, regardless of the location of the battery.
