Low temperatures alone won’t affect the life of a battery but poor maintenance will put additional stress on the charging system.
In lower temperatures, the demands on an undercharged battery at start up can increase by 200%! Even batteries in good condition can lose up to 60% of the cranking power they would normally have.
The following points are what we recommend for maintaining and protecting your batteries through the colder months.
- If you haven’t already, charge your batteries as soon as possible. If the battery isn’t sealed, check the level of the deionized water - it should be up to the full mark.
- It is also worth checking the rated current output of the alternator and load testing the current output of the battery. Make sure the battery posts and connecting cables are clean.
- If dirt is showing, disconnect them and clean them with battery terminal spray and terminal brush. When battery terminal spray is applied to the posts and clamps it will drive out moisture and improve electrical contact.
- If you have batteries for machines that are not being used for long periods of time, you could keep them inside. Charge them fully before storing to keep them at a full state of charge and ready to use.
We stock a wide range of battery accessories including: battery chargers, booster cables, power inverters, testing equipment, clamps, crocodile clips and more! The whole range can be viewed on our website: https://www.htsspares.com/catalogue/electrical/batteries-accessories
If you'd like help finding the right battery or accessory, please get in touch with our team on 01432 373350 or email sales@htsspares.com.
