All You Need To Know About Car Batteries
To start a car engine, there is one vital component whose job is to provide energy to turn the starter dynamo and then run the engine cycle. This component is the accumulator, or more commonly known as the battery or battery. A car battery is a battery for vehicles whose role is to provide and store power for all electrical energy needs in a car, from the starter dynamo, lights to the car's electrical system. No wonder this component is vital to pay attention to in order to ensure comfort while driving. Among the public, car batteries are generally known for several types, namely dry batteries and wet batteries The difference between the two lies in the components inside. The reason is, all car batteries currently still use the same liquid, namely the chemical series H2SO4 or better known as sulfuric acid.
Wet Battery and Dry Battery Care:
The use of wet batteries in cars is still a lot. In contrast to dry batteries without the need for routine maintenance, wet batteries require maintenance that should be done regularly. The reason is that this wet battery uses electrolyte fluid and the amount will decrease over time. Wet batteries need special care, if you don't take care of the wet battery, apart from the reduced service life, the battery will run out. As we know, the car battery is a power source that will be used to supply power to several electrical systems in the vehicle. Therefore, an indication of a car battery that has run short, one of which can be indicated by a starter that does not turn on or the rotation is slow so that it cannot start the vehicle. The causes of this overdrawn car battery are many such as running out of electrolyte fluid or a small charging current. The first step that you need to take is a visual inspection to see if there is a crack in the battery. Check the electrolyte fluid volume, make sure that the electrolyte fluid is between the lower and upper lines. If it turns out to be below the lower line, immediately fill in the electrolyte liquid that is widely sold in the market. But what you need to remember, in this filling, do not exceed the upper line. If you have a hydrometer, check the specific gravity of each cell. The next step, you check both battery terminals. If there is rust or dirt, clean it immediately using a wire brush or sandpaper. Because if dirt or rust is left it will cause excessive resistance, so it will reduce battery voltage. For the last step, using a battery tester or multimeter, make sure that the battery voltage is between 12-13 volts.
How to Jump Start a Car Battery:
Jump start is actually a term where one car helps another car to keep it running using a good car battery. Please note, that doing a jump start must still pay attention to the jumper used. How can the poles of the car battery jumper not touch when it is glued to a healthy car battery. The positive and negative poles that have been glued together using clamps must also be maintained so as not to get a conductor connected to the fuel tank so that it does not explode. This can be done by attaching the negative jumper to the damaged car battery to the conductor that leads to ground. It is also possible if your friend's car suddenly dies because the battery is about to be replaced.
Anticipate Problems, This is an Easy Way to Replace a Car Battery:
The car battery is the main electrical backup that works to meet all the electricity needs in the car. A problematic car battery will certainly hamper your mobility when you want to drive. A car battery that does not work properly will cause several problems, for example the air conditioner is not cool, the car's performance decreases, the engine becomes unstable, and even causes the engine to not start. All these electrical problems can only be solved by replacing the old car battery with a new car battery. Now to overcome this, you need to do these 3 steps when you have to replace a car battery without the help of a mechanic.
1. How to Remove the Old Battery:
The first step you have to take is to properly remove the car battery. To be more secure, remove the cables, bolts and clamps on the negative pole first, and then proceed to the positive pole. After all cables and clamps are removed, lift the battery vertically so that the liquid in the battery does not spill.
Why Must the Negative Cable First?
The reason is, if you disconnect the positive cable first, if you drop a work tool or other object that falls into the positive terminal and hits other objects in the car, it will trigger an electric short circuit. Meanwhile, if you unplug the negative cable first, it will automatically disconnect the electric current in the car body. Even if metal objects or other objects fall on both terminals, there will be no problem.
2. Cleaning Rusted Parts:
The second step is to check the car battery cables and clamps. If there is rust, use anti-rust liquid to clean it or you can rub it so that the rust is gone. Rust and various impurities that stick to the clamps and ends of the cable will become an insulator or barrier to the entry of electricity.
3. How to Install a New Battery:
The third step is to install a new car battery. How to install a new battery is the opposite of removing the old battery. Place the car battery on the holder vertically, then attach the positive cable first, then proceed with installing the negative cable. This is done to prevent the occurrence of sparks at the positive pole. Make sure that all cables and clamps are securely locked. After that, try starting your car engine, if all goes well, you can close the hood and continue your journey.
