Keep Everything Running With the Right Battery

Many things you own require batteries to keep running—from little household items like cameras and watches to power tools for home remodeling to your vehicles. These products don’t run on magic, and you’ll find that out as soon as the battery runs out. Keeping the proper batteries on hand is the key to avoiding an untimely loss of power.

A driver’s worst nightmare is going out to the car in the morning and turning the key only to hear the engine turn over and over, but the vehicle won’t start. You never know when your car is going to die from loss of power, but it always seems to happen at the worst time. The average automobile battery lasts three and a half to four years, but this period can be significantly effected by weather conditions and frequency of use. In very hot or very cold climates, battery life can suffer. It’s a good idea to have an extra power source in the garage for your car, van, or truck. Check the owner’s manual for the exact specifications on the type of power storage equipment that will work best for your vehicle.

Inside your house there are many items that require batteries. These products may also die unexpectedly at very inconvenient moments if you don’t have backup power. There’s one very important piece of safety equipment in your home requires a power charge that need to be regularly changed: the smoke alarm. To keep you, your family and your home safe from an unexpected fire, your smoke alarm batteries should be checked every month and changed every year.

Many items you use every day in your home require power cells too: remote controls for the television, stereo, cable box, garage door and air conditioning unit. Cordless tools and phones have to be given regular battery changes as well as watches, video game controls, and hearing aids. Keeping a few packs of spare batteries in the drawer can be a lifesaver. The common types of smaller batteries are D’s, C’s, AA’s and AAA’s that come in alkaline, lithium, or rechargeable.

How Long Can I Expect My Auto Battery to Last?

 

Without your battery, your car wouldn’t be operational. There are many factors that go into battery maintenance and life expectancy. The most basic factors include the size of your battery and the amp hours. Typically, you can expect to get three to five years out of a new battery. The exact length will vary greatly depending on the following factors:

Heat Kills Car Batteries

Extreme temperature will zap your car battery very quickly. If you can, avoid leaving your vehicle exposed to the elements for extended periods of time. Though the cold is not good for you battery, heat is even worse. It can cause overheating and will deplete the strength of the cell very quickly. This can cause problems when the seasons change and your battery must work harder to start in the decreased temperatures.

Electronics Cause Strain

Many newer cars have computer equipment inside. These components cause a strain on the battery even when the car is stationary. The constant use will lead to the cell losing capacity and having no chance to rest. If your car has a monitor or internal GPS system, be careful not to overuse them, especially when the car is not in motion.

Use caution when leaving your car outside and using internal computer systems. With proper care and maintenance, your car battery can easily last five years of average use. It is possible for it to last longer, but consult with your mechanic regularly to make sure the power cell is in excellent shape. Visit this website to learn more about auto batteries in San Diego.

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When to Choose Used Batteries

 

The idea of buying a used car battery is very attractive because you can save a bundle. Especially if you have an older car, you might not want to invest large sums of money for new equipment.

Warranty Coverage

If an enterprise is willing to cover their product for a lengthy amount of time, that tells you that the company really believes in the quality of its merchandise. For most used car batteries, a business will only cover malfunctions or damages for a few days or weeks. Walk away from these deals. You don’t want to be left with an unusable battery and a tow bill in three weeks. Trust companies who show faith in their used batteries to avoid hassles in the future.

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What Does Your RV Battery Power?

 

How much power does your average RV battery use in a day? What devices can your camper power? Most RVs have 12-volt and 120 volt systems. This translates to using a 12-volt battery when not connected to home or store power. When plugged, the camper will use the 120-volt system to charge the battery and power the vehicle.

The List of Items

What can run off of your RV camper?

• Lights
• Water pump
• Furnace heater fan
• Refrigerator
• Televisions
• A/C
• Entertainment systems
• Game consoles
• Laptops

You can run all of these and many other items off of your RV’s battery power. Chances are that if you can plug in a device to the RV outlet, it will run on the camper’s stored energy. However, you shouldn’t push the limit of your power source. The battery can only give so many amps and a microwave alone will use 15 amps. 

Other Power Needs

When it is parked, the camper will use six amps over a 12-hour period. A camper light bulb would use 18 amps total amps. If you have two average batteries, they can give you 80-90 total amps over three days with agreeable weather.

Remember, proper maintenance is key to your power source’s life expectancy. If you do need to replace old batteries, always replace the pair instead of just one at a time. Feel free to upgrade your battery for more capacity or if your battery does not retain charge for the expected amount of time. Visit this website to learn more about camper batteries in San Diego.

Cleaning Corroded Terminals

Corrosion can happen to anyone, and typically makes a battery nearly inoperable. Fortunately, in most cases the problem can be reversed. Follow these simple cleaning tips to make your battery good as new.

What Accessories Should I Carry in My Car in Case of Battery Issues?

 

In case of a battery emergency, there are a few things you should keep in your trunk to help you. Of course, you should have things like a portable battery for your phone, but if you are savvy enough to fix it yourself, the following will aid you in that endeavor.

1. Flashlight

You don’t know if your battery will malfunction during the day or night. Regardless, it can be hard to get a good look under the hood without a little bit of extra light. Carry a flashlight with fresh batteries in your trunk, just in case.

2. WD-40

Especially if you have an older car, nuts and bolts might get stuck at inopportune moments. With some WD-40, you will be able to loosen everything right up, so you can continue making repairs.

3. Jumper Cables

Jumper cables are perhaps the most important piece of equipment to have and know how to use. If you are stranded and manage to find a Good Samaritan, you can give your battery a jump. This will give you enough power to get home or to an auto shop.

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How to Use a Hydrometer to Check a Car Battery

                 

A hydrometer check or electrolyte gravity test can let you know if your battery is charged, faulty or partially charged. The meter measures the concentration of a substance such as sulfuric acid, alcohol or sugar. It gives you a density ratio with respect to the water content. It has a glass tube, rubber bulb and graduated capsule. The device is easy to find and fairly inexpensive.

Preparation

You will need acid-resistant glasses and gloves to complete this task. Use a hydrometer with a self-adjusting reading and built-in thermometer. Remove any buildup and dirt from the top of the power cell. You can use a solution of warm water and baking soda. Remove the caps with a screwdriver. If the electrolyte is not touching the filler rings, add distilled water.

Performing the Check

Squeeze the meter’s rubber bulb and immerse the tip in the existing electrolyte. Release the bulb to draw in the electrolyte and keep the meter in a vertical position. Raise it to eye level to read the number the intercepts the electrolyte’s surface level. Write this number down. Do a gravity test for the remaining cells and make a note of each reading.

If your hydrometer does not adjust to different temperatures on its own, use the conversion table on your device to make the necessary adjustments yourself. Some hydrometers may work differently, so consult with the manual before performing any tests. Hydrometer tests are not difficult and can easily be done in your home. Check your battery before you make an unnecessary trip to the shop. Visit this website to learn more about hydrometers and other battery accessories in San Diego.