The battery in a truck is subjected to overloads every day, during engine starting. Also, additional electrical devices consume energy from the battery when stationary. On the other hand, during driving, electrical devices turned on, lead to the so-called undercharging of the battery – shortening its life. What can be done to solve this problem?
How to take care of the battery to make it last as long as possible?
First of all, the state of charge should be checked regularly, especially if the vehicle is operated on short routes and the engine is started frequently. In most trucks, batteries should be charged on average twice a year – depending on the conditions of use. However, for charging to have an effect, the electrolyte level should be checked in classic batteries. If it is too low, it should be replenished by pouring in distilled or demineralized water, about 15 mm above the top edge of the plates. Many truck owners, wishing to avoid this problem, use batteries made with AGM technology. This makes checking the level of electrolyte and its possible replenishment unnecessary. But it doesn’t stop there, as other factors are important, affecting the condition and life of the battery.
Battery activity and correct voltage
The voltage of batteries in trucks, at rest, can drop from 25.44 V to 24.6 V – in the case of mains serial connection of 12V batteries. It should be borne in mind that starting , “cold”, causes a decrease in the capacity and power of the battery starting itself. If the battery is not used for a long time, discharging occurs, as lead sulfide is deposited on the plates, making it difficult to conduct electricity. To prevent such a problem, it is worth installing special chargers in the vehicle. Popular ones include: GENIUS PRO 25A NOCO 2K or BPOWER YBC8000 8A 12/24V K6 charger. These devices protect against acid delamination and sulfation, due to low voltage levels. Sulfation can also result from the operation of the vehicle on short routes and the simultaneous use of electrical appliances, such as air conditioning, radio, etc. In this case, the alternator current is used to power these devices, and the battery cannot be fully charged.
Protection and longer battery life
Innovative chargers protect the battery from discharging and make it easier to start the engine. They continuously check the charge level and current consumption. They generate a warning signal if too many electrical devices are turned on in the vehicle, drawing current from the alternator. Modern trucks are equipped with air conditioners, refrigerators and even televisions, among other things. These devices provide comfort for the driver on long journeys, which often take place five or more days a week. When the battery is low, the charger emits a signal so that the driver can turn off unnecessary equipment to prevent battery drainage and engine starting problems. Example: a 225 Ah battery can only release about 50% of its energy, which is consumed by the air conditioner, refrigerator or lighting, among others. If there are problems with engine starting due to a discharged battery, the NOCO GB500+ 6250A 12/24V portable device can help.
A functioning battery is essential for carrying out transportation orders. Discharge or low voltage, sustained over a long period of time, shortens its life and can cause problems with engine starting. Nowadays, trucks are a kind of dwelling for drivers. Among other things, they are equipped with additional lighting, a refrigerator and even a television set. These devices consume energy, resulting in undercharging and sulphation of the battery. The solution to these problems are automatic chargers available in our store’s offer. That’s why more and more truck owners, decide to use them.
