Car owners usually fall into one of two compartments: those
who have had a dead battery at the worst time and those who will.
(Unfortunately, some of us may claim to have had this experience more than
once.)
One sure way to reduce your risk of getting stuck in your
car with a dead battery is to know the top 5 things that cause your battery to
burn (and learn how you can avoid them).
1. The battery is old
You cannot prevent your battery from getting old, but you
can periodically wait for the battery to do two things.
1. First, regular maintenance helps keep the battery running
longer.
2. Secondly, if you maintain it regularly, you will get an
indication that your battery is losing the fight. This gives you time to have a
new
battery on hand if it bites the dust.
Apart from testing the battery to see if the battery is
fully charged, you can watch how it behaves. That is, if the battery does not
start constantly or you have not had it for more than four years, it is time to
look for a new battery.
2. You have made a
manual error
It is completely normal to forget to turn off the headlights,
to close the trunk completely or leave an interior light on. These things
happen to the best of us.
Unfortunately, this does not change the fact that your
battery is empty. All because you were in such a hurry that you forgot to check
if all the lights were off. Good news is that you can get back on the road with
a quick jump and a ride in the car.
If you get used to such behavior, make sure you always have
a set of jumper cables in the car. You may also want to examine a portable
charger.
3. The charging
system is not working properly
If you have ever driven on a road and still end up with a
dead battery, you can safely assume that your charging system is not working
properly.
Generally, when driving, components such as the radio and
headlights are powered directly by the alternator while charging the battery.
When the charging system is down, not only does it not charge your battery
while you drive, but your components depend on the remaining charge, allowing
the battery to drain even faster.
At this point, no amount of starts or new batteries will
save you. The best is to ask your mechanic to look and see exactly what the
problem is.
4. There is a
defective diode
A defective diode is a reason that your charging system
disappoints you. When one alternator diode goes, the others will usually be
able to keep you running, but not for long.
The more current the diodes need to carry can cause a
drainage of the battery by pulling a charge even when the car is switched off.
Your mechanic can tell you if one or more of the diodes have become defective.
Replacing the diodes as required is much more advantageous
than just continuing to press and having to rebuild the dynamo later. If you
are so mechanically set up, you can usually replace the diodes yourself.
Most automotive stores have generator sets that allow you to
replace the bearings, diodes and brushes all at once. This is a great way to
keep your alternator running, so your battery does not pay the price.
5.
Parasitic discharge (due to an electrical problem)
A parasitic outflow occurs when the vehicle is off, but certain components continue to receive power. Some cases of parasitic outflow are normal. How else would your security system stay armed or keep the clock at the right time?
When the parasitic outflow becomes a problem, this is usually due to an electrical problem that causes one (or more) components of the vehicle to continuously draw power even when the vehicle is off.
One of the most obvious symptoms of an electrical problem can be seen before the battery is completely exhausted. If the headlights or brake lights are noticeably muffled, you may want to see your mechanic. Another sign is the appearance of loose wires.
Checking these symptoms before the battery is completely discharged may cause you to go to the beach with an empty battery.
A parasitic outflow occurs when the vehicle is off, but certain components continue to receive power. Some cases of parasitic outflow are normal. How else would your security system stay armed or keep the clock at the right time?
When the parasitic outflow becomes a problem, this is usually due to an electrical problem that causes one (or more) components of the vehicle to continuously draw power even when the vehicle is off.
One of the most obvious symptoms of an electrical problem can be seen before the battery is completely exhausted. If the headlights or brake lights are noticeably muffled, you may want to see your mechanic. Another sign is the appearance of loose wires.
Checking these symptoms before the battery is completely discharged may cause you to go to the beach with an empty battery.
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