Seldom used batteries have shorter lives

Have you ever wondered why a car battery that has been on standby for long periods gets busted easily? To explain the irony, car and motorcycle batteries need to be in full charge all the time in order to be healthy and undergo the full cycle of dispensing energy and receiving charge as constantly as possible.

When the battery is on standby for at least a week without going to the cycle of charging and discharging, it loses its charge and begins the process of sulfation. The term sulfation describes the accumulation and growth of lead sulfate crystals inside the plates when a battery is in a discharged state for an extended period of time.

Sulfation begins as soon as voltage level gets too low which, in the case of a 12-volt battery, is below 12.6 volts. If the crystals are not recharged, they eventually combine to form larger crystals. These bigger crystals are harder to dissolve and recharge, and eventually they lead to battery failure by disrupting the plate structure. Sulfation decreases battery performance by blocking the chemical reaction that allows the battery to hold its charge.

Sulfation can be reversed by using a charger that has a de-sulfating mode, like a battery tender.  This charging device charges and discharges the battery, simulating how the car’s engine charges and discharges the battery, slowly dissolve the lead sulfate crystals and recharge them back to active material.

Here are some basic maintenance tips for your Car Battery:

Use your batteries. If you have a battery that is constantly in your Garage Queen, swap it with your grocery getter if possible. If not, get yourself a battery tender charging device and plug the batteries at least once every week. 

Check your battery every now and then to make sure its terminal connections are clean, snug and protected from the elements. Scrub corrosion off the terminals with water and finish off with a moderate spray of WD40.  Signs of corrosion or leakage could mean that your battery is no longer operating as well as it should. Also check the casing for deformity. It the case has deformed, it’s a sign that it will need replacement soon.

Routinely test your battery to make sure it is correctly charged. This allows you to recharge your battery, if needed, to maintain its peak performance. It's important for your battery's health in your favorite gas station or in a battery center, like All Batteries, to get it tested twice a year to keep it at its optimal performance level.

Never abuse the battery by draining its power. Always unplug accessories and/or lights when the car is turned off.  If you accidentally leave the lights on and drain the battery, make sure to have it checked by a battery technician the next chance you get.

Make sure the battery is secured with a tie-down bracket. This ensures that the battery is snugly seated and will help minimize vibration which can be detrimental to certain types of batteries.