Proper Battery Maintenance is Very Important and Here’s Why

The battery is basically the most vital component of every device, machine, or vehicle, but unfortunately not many of us know as much about them as we let on. However, since you are reading this, that means that you would like to change that. I can’t promise you that I will tell you every factoid about every type of battery, but I can at least tell you what you need to do in order to keep the lead acid based ones properly stored and how to maintain them.

Towards the goal of keeping your batteries properly stored and well protected , there is no better way of doing that than just placing them in battery enclosures. What the battery enclosures do is keep batteries protected from weather conditions and different kinds of damage, while also simultaneously protecting overly curious or unaware people from themselves by keeping the batteries under lock and key and well away from them.

Before you start the maintenance there are a few important things you will need to know about the batteries themselves. The lead acid battery is made up of plates, lead and lead oxide and a sulphuric acid and water solution. This solution is called electrolyte and it causes a chemical reaction that produces electrons, and it is tested with a hydrometer to make sure that the amount of sulphuric acid is not lacking.

There are two basic battery groups – deep cycle and starting. The starting batteries are designed to produce quick discharges, while the deep cell are oriented towards greater long-term energy delivery, and the difference between them basically boils down to the fact that the deep cell has much thicker plates that can withstand a bigger number of deep discharge cycles. There are also wet cell, gel-cell and absorber glass mat batteries which are all lead acid batteries and have different requirements. The wet cell for instance can either be serviceable or maintenance free, and the other two sometimes require a special charging rate, especially if they are deep-cell.

For the maintenance itself, first you will need to remove any conductive materials you may be wearing, and then put on some googles and a sturdy pair of gloves. The battery should always be clean and the cable connections tightened. The fluid level needs to be checked frequently, but only when the charge is full, and if water is needed, always use distilled since there are all sorts of chemicals and minerals in the tap that are harmful to your battery. And most importantly, remember not to overfill it as that can lead to a decrease of electrolytes.

Finally, I would like to add that if you think your battery is too old or has a leak or if you don’t think you’re up to the task or that it seems dangerous, don’t risk it and take it to a professional since that’s what they’re for.