Battery Care:

How can I tell if my battery is low and needs to be recharged?

The first and most likely indication of a low battery would be a hard starting problem caused by slow cranking. If the battery seems weak or fails to crank your engine normally, it may be low. To find out, you need to check the battery's "state of charge."

A battery is nothing more than a chemical storage device for holding electrons until they're needed to crank the engine or run the lights or other electrical accessories on your vehicle. Checking the battery's state of charge will tell you how much juice the battery has available for such purposes.

If your battery is low, it needs to be recharged, not only to restore full power, but also to prevent possible damage to the battery. Ordinary automotive lead-acid storage batteries must be kept at or near full charge to keep the cell plates from becoming "sulfated" (a condition that occurs if the battery is run down and left in a discharged condition for more than a few days). As sulfate builds up, it reduces the battery's ability to hold a charge and supply voltage. Eventually the battery becomes useless and must be replaced.

Important Information

1. Ensure that  the battery is the right size for the vehicle, where in doubt kindly ask your motor dealer, garage, rescue department
2. Use Battery Acid with the correct specific gravity of 1.230 ( Check on the pack and confirm)
3. Correct vehicle charging to 13.8 – 14.3 v
4. When disconnecting terminals start with negative then the positive
5. When reconnecting the terminals reattach the positive cable first then the negative, and don’t be surprised to see a tiny spark when attaching the second cable, and there isn’t enough current in a normal 12 volt battery to harm a healthy person

Battery Care Schedule:

1. On purchase of Battery:- Inspect battery cables, always check your old cables before purchasing a new battery incase its loose or unattached.
2. Daily: Pay attention to your dashboard lights which serve as an indicator that something needs to be repaired, checked or replaced; if the battery is weak a symbol may appear recommending battery service.
3. Every Week: Check the level of electrolytes in your battery.
4. Every Month: Check for corrosion on your terminals and brackets and clean them, after cleaning always apply petroleum jelly to the terminal as it prevents build up of corrosion.
5. Every 6 months: Check for corrosion, wear and tear of your Battery Tray and clean it as well. If worn out arrange to replace.
6. Every 6 months:- Perform a Load Test. Visit your battery dealer and get this done , it tells you how much power or life is left in the battery.

How To Do this:

BATTERY TRAY MAINTAINANCE

1. Turn the engine off, and pop open your hood/bonnet.
2. Pop up the terminal caps and disconnect the negative black terminal cable.
3. Next Disconnect the positive terminal cable and remover the battery bracket hardware
4. Lift the battery from the tray.
5. Inspect the battery tray and brush off any corrosion on it with a small wire brush. If the tray is metal Ask your mechanic to coat with acid-resistant paint. Apply penetrating aerosol solvent to the brackets where necessary
6. If Tray is badly damaged or weak, buy a new tray from your battery dealer and ensure that it fits into the same slot.

BRACKET CARE
This is simple piece of metal or plastic, generally fastened with one or two bolts that prevents the battery from moving when the car is in motion. If it is not in its proper place the battery will bounce and slide in its tray. This will significantly shorten the batteries useful life. Too much movement causes the soft lead plates inside the batteries plastic casing to deteriorate and can eventually lead to a dead cell , or section of the battery.  This subsequently results in vehicle starting problems and you have to have your battery jumpstarted.

It is very important to ensure that you check for corrosion and slack regularly.

How do you do this?

1. Pop off the terminal caps if necessary and disconnect the negative black terminal cable. Next, disconnect the positive terminal cable and remove the battery bracket hardware.
2. Lift the Battery from the tray and check for corrosion signs and slackness of the brackets. When Brackets are loose or corroded they cause excessive vibration which shortens battery life.
3. Inspect the tray and brackets, brushing off any corrosion with a small wire brush. Wipe away excess dirt and debris.
4. If the brackets are loose a few turns of a ratchet (it has an extension and a small socket) should secure them in place.

BATTERY CARE:-

1. Once battery is visible, simply place a hand on each side (as if you were going to lift the battery from the car) and rock the battery from side to side. If it wiggles you need to check on your brackets.
2. Have a look and if you notice any corrosion on your terminals (pale white and blue gunk that surrounds the terminals). This buildup creates a resistance to the electrical current returning and traveling out of the battery. This prevents proper recharging and full output. End result your car will not start.
3. Where there is buildup, pour hot water on the visible corrosion. If the water is hot enough the buildup will simply melt away. Repeat this until the terminals are cleaned to your satisfaction. Benefit of using water is that even if the battery is cracked, normal tap water won’t cause any damage to the acid or plates inside the battery. Wipe off excess water with a sponge and apply petroleum jelly to the terminals.
4. Once the Terminals are clean, wiggle both positive and negative connectors to make sure that they are not loose. When tightening avoid making the clamps too tight to avoid damage.
5. Fit the clamps tightly on the terminals