In the ever-advancing world of automotive technology, car batteries have remained an essential part that powers vehicles and keeps them running smoothly and efficiently. A general perception is that car batteries only work when you turn on the ignition and then turn off. This is not true. Your car battery starts your car and keeps running until you switch off the ignition. With normal use, most car batteries will last for three to five years without any significant deterioration.
Despite their critical life and sturdy build, car batteries are not immune to failure. From scorching summers to freezing winters, there can be many unforeseen things that can damage your car battery and can leave you stranded on your journey. Let us explore seven common culprits that can go wrong with your car battery and measures that can be taken to address these problems. Whether you are a seasoned driver or a new one, being familiar with potential battery problems can help you prevent and prepare proactively.
Let us delve into everything that can put brakes on your journey.
Decrease in Battery Capacity
Most people consider that driving their car regularly in normal conditions will keep the battery charged. That is true, but the battery is going to fail eventually.
The car’s alternator will need to recharge the battery slowly to prevent overcharging the battery. Overcharging causes the electrolyte to convert into hydrogen and oxygen. But the alternator also has to charge it quickly enough to 100% otherwise sulphate will crystalize on the plates. This will cause a permanent loss of capacity in the battery.
Driving your car normally will not prevent the decrease in battery capacity since the car charging mechanism isn’t smart enough. Charging your car’s battery overnight using a smart charger can ensure that the battery charges properly and to 100%. This will cause reverse crystallization in certain cases.
Permanent loss of battery capacity
Crystallization occurs on the plates when the batter is partially discharged. Sulphation, however, is much more severe and occurs when the battery is allowed to fully discharge. A stored battery with no charge will worsen the situation. Large crystals are formed on the negative plates. This reduces the surface area of the plate for active conduction.
There are two types of sulphation: soft sulphation and hard sulphation. Soft sulphation can be reversed by overcharging the battery for 24 hours. This dissolves the crystals and returns the battery to full capacity. However, hard sulphation is permanent damage and cannot be reversed. Fortunately, hard sulphation will happen only after a long time of staying at a low charge or being completely discharged.
Damage to plates from vehicle vibration
Car batteries are made of highly durable material and can withstand occasional rough vibrations. But not all cars run on city highways and city streets. Cars that run on broken roads, sand, gravel, off-road etc. are prone to battery damage caused by persisting vibrations. Batteries look sturdy on the outside but have brittle electrical connections on the inside. Continuous shaking, impacts and vibrations may cause the electrical connections to break. This will disrupt connectivity and render the battery useless.
A battery with broken plates cannot be corrected. But you can always opt for a battery that is designed to withstand such harsh conditions.
External battery case damage
Batteries have a hard, sturdy and durable case that holds their components safely inside. The case is made of polypropylene which is impact resistant. But this does not mean that it is damage-proof. The case can crack and warp if there is internal damage or leaking electrolyte. The battery case can always swell when the battery is overcharged or if the electrolyte freezes inside. This can cause cracks around the seams.
It is best to avoid overcharging the battery and never store it at freezing temperature. Replacement is the only option when the case is damaged.
Read More: Common Habits That Could Damage Your Car
Surface corrosion on terminals
When the battery is operating, a small amount of hydrogen and oxygen escapes out of the electrolyte. This hydrogen when escapes into the environment, increases the corrosive environment. The battery terminals are the only place where hydrogen can escape and that causes the terminals to corrode.
But corrosion on the battery terminals can also help you understand the health of the battery. Corrosion on the negative terminal is an indication of undercharging while corrosion on the positive terminal means the battery is overcharging.
To clean corroding battery terminals, a battery cleaner spray can be used. You can also clean the terminals using baking soda and vinegar in semiliquid form.
Internal Short Circuit due to plate erosion
There is nothing that you can do with an ageing battery. There is a flow of ions from the positive lead plate to the negative lead plate when the battery is active. The flow is reversed (negative to positive) when the battery is charging.
This flow of ions causes the lead plates to slowly erode and over time eroded pieces of lead will settle at the bottom of the case. These sediments will build over time and cause a short circuit between the lead plates. Such short circuits will promote the rate of self-discharge.
If the erosion on the lead plates is significant, it is time for you to replace the battery.
Short circuit due to separator failure
This happens in the case of a lead acid battery (most of them are) when the separator between the anode (negative) and cathode (positive) plate breaks or melts.
This generally happens when there is a mishandling of the battery or poor manufacturing practices. Overheated cells cause the separators to melt and an internal short circuit happens when the anode and the cathode plates come in contact with each other.
The result is the generation of a high amount of heat also known as thermal runaway. It is followed by a quick discharge of the battery.
It is however simple to prevent separator failure. Handling the battery carefully and securing it properly inside the engine bay will prevent such damage. But if it happens, you will have to look for a battery replacement.
Find a reliable replacement for your battery problems Right Away!
Is your car battery not working? There can be a battery breakdown because of any of the above reasons. Find a reliable onsite car battery replacement in Singapore with Swift Tyre Specialist. You can call us at +65 8484 3838 for any battery-related problems and we will give you onsite assistance and replacement within 20-45 minutes. Our trained technicians will pinpoint the problem and offer advice on what should be done next. We wish you a safe and happy travel.