Let’s start your car’s battery.
Your car battery’s main function is to start the engine and operate the electrical elements in your car. Things such as your windows, lights, radio, sat nav all need the battery to work. The battery itself typically consists of six cells of positive and negative lead plates, immersed in electrolytes made up of water and sulfuric acid mixture. batteryCare should always be taken if you are charging or jump starting your car because a chemical dangerous gases vent through the batter cover vents as a result of the chemical reaction occurring with the lead plates and the electrolyte.
For a safer battery you may want to look at batteries that use a gel instead of an electrolyte. You can now use maintenance-free batteries so that you minimise concerns for the electrolyte element. Eventually the batteries will, by their very nature, deteriorate over time so it’s not a complete solution rather an alternative more efficient solution
How to recognise when you are having battery issues
If your car is having problems starting the use can start with a very basic test. If you know the exact condition of your battery you will be able to identify if it is actually the battery at fault or possibly another electrical component causing the issue. If could be that you need a new starter motor or a replacement alternator.
All you need to test the battery is a battery, battery charger and a decent DVOM (Digital volt Ohm Meter). Your car handbook will normally tell you what colour to look out for. Simply look at the DVOM for the colour to tell you if your battery is in good condition, needs charging, or has low fluid and needs replacing.
If you are guessing that the battery needs replacing, then beforehand, it might be an idea to just to take your car to an auto mechanic just to ensure it is the root cause of the electrical fault with your vehicle. After all the last thing you want is to spend money and time replacing the battery only for you to find out that it was actually a parasitic drain on the system actually causing the battery failure. It’s not just potentially expensive, it could actually be dangerous too!
It’s good to know that the average life of a battery is typically between 3 and 5 years. Your local car electrics specialist is usually the best person to help you with this.
Let’s talk about your Alternator
The alternators main function is to help run the electrical accessories in your vehicle. This includes the ignition and the engine controls system. So how does it work. In short It produces electricity to maintain battery storage charge. It is driven by the engine producing an alternating current (AC). We always recommend that you should check your car’s repair manual or with your local mechanic to obtain the correct information before working on your alternator.alternator
Typically, the alternator will last around 3-4 years. This is due to the demands placed on all the modern electrical devices (stereos, lights, windows, heated seats etc., you use in your vehicle. What’s always useful to know is that if your alternator is coming close to its end of life, this can put additional stress on the car battery. By keeping your car servicing up to date, and keeping an eye on your engine management lights, you can often prevent these subsequently related issues.
When you consider if you charge your phone or laptop whilst in your car or have customised your vehicle this will create additional stresses.
It’s really important to pay attention to your car’s warning light for the alternator. This will definitely help you catch any problems before they become a major issue. Most modern cars have alternators that have the electrical current passing through the filament of the warning light is what energizes a circuit in the alternator to start charging.
To check the warning light circuit, turn the ignition switch to the “on” position without cranking or starting the engine; if the light does not come on, remove the plug from the alternator and ground the wire that terminates to the #1, I, L or D+ terminal (depending on manufacturer). If the light comes on, the wiring is okay but the alternator is defective; if the light still does not come on, the wiring to the light circuit and the bulb should be checked. (our mechanics at Widnes auto electrics would always recommend that you consult a trained auto electrician or your local garage if you are unsure about what this all means)
You should always check the fuse that controls the light circuit, too. It’s good to know that different cars use different labels such as “charging”, “regulator”, “meters”, “gauges” or “engine”. In some cars, if the fuse is out, the warning light will come on but may not go off. In others, a burned out fuse may make the warning light work in reverse order; that is, when the key is on, the light is off but as soon as the engine starts and the alternator starts charging, the light will come on.
Maintenance Tips For Your Car’s Electrical System
Its highly recommended that you get your car’s electrical system checked and tested at least every two years or whenever whenever you spot a problem with your vehicle. Many problems are often caused by voltage variations and must be one of the first steps in identifying any problem. Because there is a computer on board in almost every car built now, even quite minor voltage changes can alter the controls.
Your car’s electrical system must be load tested to certain standards, which can be simulated by turning on all the accessories and lights for simple voltage drain but that is not an all-inclusive test. Measuring circuit loads with an ammeter, circuit voltage drops with a DVOM, variable circuit load testing, etc. is usually the only way to fully check function. With electrical systems operating at 80%-100% of capacity nowadays (see Power Demand Chart), it is crucial that it be up to standards.
Whilst you may consider yourself capable of doing this testing process yourself, you might find that the test equipment to buy is too expensive when you think about how often you will actually use it during your car’s lifetime. This is why we would always recommend an auto electrical expect who will have the right tools you’re your car manufacturers system. This could save you a lot of time and money in the long run
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