First, the battery is the source of energy needed to start the engine.
Secondly, to stabilize the voltage in the electrical network of the car.
Thirdly, to temporarily provide energy to the consumers on when the generator power is insufficient.
The sealed battery is standard on all vehicles. There are no vent plugs in the lid. The battery is completely sealed, with the exception of two ventilation holes on the sides. They serve to remove the small amount of gas that forms in the battery.
The sealed battery has the following advantages over standard batteries.
It is not necessary to add water during the entire life of the battery.
The sealed battery is protected from overcharging. If too much voltage is applied to such a battery, then it will not accept all the current, unlike a standard battery. In standard batteries, recharging continues with excess voltage, which leads to gassing («boil» battery when charging) and hence fluid loss.
This battery is not as prone to self-discharge as a standard battery. This is especially important when a working battery is left for a long time.
With a lighter and smaller body, this battery packs more power than a standard battery.
Rated capacity
The battery has two nominal capacities:
- (1) reserve power at 27'C, when a fully charged battery provides a current of 25 A at a voltage of 10.5 V and above;
- (2) current strength when starting a cold engine, the value of which was determined at -18°C.
Reserve power
Standby power is the maximum amount of time that you can drive at night with minimal electrical load and the generator not running. Standby power, expressed in minutes, is the time that a fully charged battery can maintain a terminal voltage of 10.5V at 27°C while discharging the battery at 25A.
Cold start current
The current strength readings when starting a cold engine are determined at a battery temperature of -18°C. This value is the minimum current that the battery must maintain for 30 seconds. at the specified temperature while maintaining a minimum voltage of 7.2V. This is the cold start current.
The battery cannot remain in good condition indefinitely. However, with good maintenance, a battery can provide excellent service for many years.
If a battery performs perfectly during testing, and then refuses to work during operation for no apparent reason, the following factors may be the cause.
Auxiliary devices are left on overnight in the car.
For a long period, frequent and short trips were made, and the generator did not have time to fully restore the battery energy spent on starting the engine and powering consumers during the trip.
The electrical load is greater than the output power of the generator, especially when installing additional equipment after purchasing the machine.
The presence of faults in the charging system: for example, electrical shorts, a slipping alternator belt, a faulty alternator, or a faulty voltage regulator.
Incorrect use of the battery: the terminals of the battery wires are not clamped or not cleaned, or the battery is not firmly pressed to the shelf.
Mechanical causes: such as shorted or pinched wires in electrical systems.