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Car battery maintenance - what to do to make it last long? Proper charging and maintenance of a car battery Where to service the battery

If the car battery is not diagnosed in a timely manner, the user will encounter its discharge, which will cause difficulties in starting the internal combustion engine. Therefore, servicing a car battery with your own hands is a mandatory procedure that must be performed at certain intervals.

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Types of batteries and frequency of their maintenance

When performing maintenance procedures on a car device, you must take into account the type of device.

Antimony

The plates that make up the device contain about 5% antimony. It is designed to increase the strength of battery elements, since pure lead is not suitable for these purposes.

The presence of antimony makes it possible to quickly activate the electrolysis procedure, which is carried out when a 12-volt voltage is applied. This promotes the release of oxygen and hydrogen. The disadvantages of this type of car battery include the rapid boiling away of the liquid from the solution, which causes destruction of the plates.

Low antimony

The reduction in the percentage of antimony in the composition of the plates is due to the need to reduce the intensity of liquid evaporation. An important advantage of this type is the lower degree of self-discharge of the battery during storage compared to antimony batteries.

Such devices are less susceptible to voltage surges in the on-board network; if they occur, the battery design will not be damaged. The operation of the battery is relevant on old Russian-made passenger cars.

Calcium

The use of calcium in the composition of the plates ensured a significant reduction in the evaporation of liquid from the electrolyte. To reduce the resistance value and also increase the capacity, manufacturers can add silver to calcium devices. Calcium batteries are characterized by a reduced degree of self-discharge, which allows them to maintain operational features longer when the battery is not in use. This type of device is too sensitive to strong discharge, as well as to the stability of the electrical properties of the machine’s electrical network. If there are regular voltage drops, the battery will fail.

The battery technician spoke about the features of charging and servicing calcium devices.

Hybrid

In such batteries, the positive electrode arrays are made of lead and antimony, and the negative electrodes are made of calcium. This type of device was developed to increase the positive characteristics of the types of batteries described above. They are characterized by reduced evaporation of liquid from the electrolyte, and also have high resistance to strong discharge. Hybrid batteries are resistant to voltage surges in the on-board network.

Gel

In gel products for cars, the density value is higher, which ensured a decrease in its fluidity and a more cohesive state of the liquid. This prevents the possibility of solution leaking from an inverted battery. The electrolyte is converted into a gel state by adding silicon to the solution. The main advantage of gel products is resistance to vibration; such batteries also produce a high starting current regardless of the state of charge. When completely discharged, the device will need to be charged; gel batteries can withstand up to two hundred such cycles.

The disadvantage of the battery is the need for high-quality service. Before the onset of winter or when discharging with a lower current, this will require a special charger. Conventional universal memory devices are not suitable for such purposes. If the battery will be left in a car over the winter, then it must be taken into account that in the cold the conductivity of the electrolyte solution will decrease. This type of product is less common due to its high cost.

Dmitry Rudyanov spoke about gel products and their capabilities.

The service life of gel car batteries is about 10 years, but in fact this figure will be no more than 7 years.

Alkaline

In such batteries, the function of the electrolyte is performed by an alkaline solution. These batteries are practically not used in passenger cars; they are used in special equipment. The plates that make up the structure are made of perforated steel. Due to the fact that the active component of the cells is installed in so-called envelopes, this allows the batteries to be highly resistant to vibration.

Pros of alkaline devices:

Such batteries are easier to recharge. During long-term storage, alkaline batteries practically do not lose their performance properties.
In practice, this type of product functions more efficiently at low temperatures.
Alkaline devices have lower self-discharge compared to acid batteries.
During operation, these products do not produce harmful fumes.

The alkaline type of products is characterized by lower resistance compared to acid-lead ones. Therefore, to achieve the required voltage parameter in the battery, it is necessary to combine a larger number of cans. Accordingly, this leads to an increase in the dimensions of the product.
High cost compared to acid products.

Lithium-ion

Lithium ions are used as a current carrier in batteries, and the material from which the electrodes are made can vary. On the first lithium-ion batteries, the negative electrodes were made of lithium, after which graphite began to be used. Lithium oxides with the addition of cobalt or manganese were used as positive electrodes. But later they began to be replaced by alloys of phosphate and lithium due to reduced toxicity, simplified processing and lower cost.

Advantages:

increased specific electrical capacity;
higher voltage compared to acid batteries;
reduced degree of self-discharge.

Flaws:

sensitivity to low temperatures, which leads to a decrease in current;
limited number of charge and discharge cycles, currently about 500;
rapid battery wear during long-term storage;
increased sensitivity to deep discharge;
Low power for use as a starter battery.

The Avto-Blogger channel spoke in detail about the shortcomings and why lithium-ion batteries are not in demand.

Maintenance frequency

The procedure for servicing a car battery with your own hands is divided into periodic checking and diagnostics.

Periodic Maintenance:

Using AC charging. To properly maintain the battery, it must be recharged every three months. And before winter and at low temperatures, the procedure is performed once a month. This procedure is carried out with a full discharge.
Operation of the load fork to diagnose the general condition of the battery.
Determination of the density of the electrolyte composition. The density value in any type of battery determines the service life of the product.
Determination of leakage current. The operation of the charging and power supply, as well as the condition of all components, is monitored.
Desulfation procedure.

Battery diagnostic stages:

diagnostics of the voltage value at the battery terminals when the electrical circuit is open, when the device is not connected to the vehicle’s on-board network;
diagnostics of the voltage level in the electrical network of the machine when the power unit is running;
maintenance at home or as part of a service includes diagnosing the level of electrolyte solution;
visually check the condition of the battery for dirt or damage.

The VAZ 2101-2107 channel talked about the frequency of maintenance and other nuances of implementing this task.

DIY battery maintenance instructions

Maintenance of car batteries includes several stages, each of them is discussed in detail.

Visual inspection of the battery

Servicing the battery should begin with a visual check of the device; to do this, it must be removed from the car. You should carefully inspect the battery case; there should be no cracks, dents or other damage. The housing must be cleaned; during maintenance, traces of motor fluid, electrolyte solution and dirt are removed from it. To clean, use a solution of baking soda in the proportion of one teaspoon per glass of water. Soda allows you to neutralize the effect of the working fluid.

The presence of traces of the working solution on the body will lead to the formation of a conductive film. This helps to increase the self-discharge of the device and reduce its service life. Inspect the terminals and, if necessary, clean them from oxidation. Additionally, it is recommended to coat the clamps with a protective spray or anti-corrosion gel.

Checking battery voltage

Diagnostics of the operating voltage parameter is carried out using a tester - a voltmeter or multimeter. Before checking, the device is removed from the machine or its terminals are disconnected. The tester is set to voltage measurement mode, and its contacts are connected to the battery terminals. The tester's red probe goes to the positive terminal, and the black probe goes to the negative terminal.

On a normally operating battery, the voltage level will be from 12.6 to 12.9 volts. If the diagnostics shows a lower value, this indicates that the device needs to be recharged; the battery should not be used. Such operation leads to an increase in sulfation and a decrease in service life. Increased discharge should not be allowed if a calcium battery is installed on the car, this will cause a loss of capacity.

The AKB-OIL SERVIS channel in its video tutorial talked about the process of diagnosing a machine battery.

Checking the voltage in the on-board network

The measurement procedure is carried out similarly, only the battery must be installed on the car, and its power unit must be started before checking. The consumer needs to activate the heated rear window, heating system, and car radio. This will allow you to simulate the real conditions of using the machine; you can additionally turn on the optics. The operating voltage parameter when tested should be about 13-14.4 volts.

When the value obtained is lower, then when the engine is running, the battery will not be recharged from the generator set. If the parameter is higher, this will lead to increased consumption of the electrolyte solution as a result of evaporation. In any case, diagnostics of the generator device, voltage regulator and other elements of the machine’s on-board network is required.

Checking the electrolyte level

To diagnose the level of working fluid in cans, the device does not need to be removed from the machine. If the battery is serviceable, then you need to unscrew the plugs located on the top of the case. When the battery is equipped with a one-piece cover, it must be removed. The verification procedure is carried out using a glass tube; if this is not available, then the body of a regular ballpoint pen can be used. The tube must be lowered into each jar until it touches the plate, and then closed with a finger and removed.

In the absence of diagnostic tools, you can periodically monitor the fluid level so that the working solution covers all battery plates with a reserve. For illumination, flashlights are allowed, but not lighters or matches. When recharging, hydrogen accumulates in the product and if a spark hits it, it will cause the device to explode.

If the battery is classified as maintenance-free, then the working fluid level can be monitored using the marks located on the housing. Ideally, the fluid level should be between the MIN and MAX marks.

Ivan Vereshchaka clearly demonstrated the process of measuring the level of working fluid in battery banks.

Charging the battery with a network charger

Under normal conditions of use, recharging should be performed once every three months, the procedure is as follows:

The battery is removed from the car, the terminals are first disconnected from it.
The procedure should be performed in a warm place (at home or in a dry garage) if the temperature outside is below freezing.
The charger probes are connected to the battery terminals.
The charger is connected to a household network, and a button is pressed to activate it.
Recharging time will vary depending on the level of discharge. There is an ammeter on the charger case; using its readings you can control the charging procedure.
After completing the task, the device is disconnected from the network, and then its probes are disconnected from the battery terminals. The device is installed in place.

Checking and adjusting the electrolyte density in the battery

Density level diagnostics can also be performed on new batteries. The test is carried out using a special device - a densimeter or hydrometer; the air temperature should be 25 degrees. If it is different, then adjustments are made to the hydrometer readings taking into account the data given in the table below. The optimal level of change in the density of the solution on new and working batteries is 0.15-0.16.

To perform the test, the tip of the tester is lowered into the liquid; you must first unscrew the lid of the jar on the body. Part of the working solution must be sucked into the hydrometer using a rubber bulb. There is a float inside it; it should float up without touching the walls of the flask. When the densimeter stops oscillating, the procedure for reading values on a scale along the solution line is performed.

In batteries that are used in the middle band, the density of the solution should be about 1.25-1.27. Diagnostics must be performed in each bank, and the difference between the values should be no more than 0.01. With a reduced density of the working solution, there is a possibility of freezing of the liquid. If a parameter needs to be adjusted, you need to use a hydrometer or a syringe with a tube to suck out some of the liquid from the jar. Then an electrolyte or distillate is added to it.

If the density is reduced, a correction electrolyte is added to the product jars, the density of which will be 1.4. If the obtained value is higher, then distillate is added to the device. Then the battery is recharged for thirty minutes, the current value must be rated. And then you have to wait about two hours and not connect the battery to the power supply. This will ensure optimal mixing of the liquid and equalization of the density value in the jars of the device.

Battery test with load fork

A plug is a device designed to create a load on the battery. The load parameter is about 100-200 A depending on the type of device. Its effect on the battery forms the process of simulating the load of the starter device. During testing, the operating voltage parameter should decrease to certain values. And when the load stops, it should recover completely.

The loading procedure is carried out for five seconds, usually during this time the power unit of the car has time to start. In accordance with the obtained parameters, it is possible to determine whether the battery operates under load conditions or not.

Table of load fork readings and charge percentage

Leakage current test

If the leakage value is greater than the normalized value, this will lead to rapid destruction of the battery; the checking procedure is performed as follows:

The ignition in the car is turned off, the key is removed from the lock. Then you need to lock all the doors and open the windows in the car. The measurement procedure will be performed with the activation and disconnection of the battery. If your car is equipped with an anti-theft system, it may be activated. The windows open to provide access to the interior.
Make sure all energy consumers are turned off. We are talking about the heating system, optical instruments, interior lighting, car radio, etc.
Open the engine compartment and disconnect the negative clamp from the battery.
For diagnostics, you will need a multimeter; it must be configured in advance to work under current measurement conditions. The tester is connected to a section of the circuit in the gap between the negative terminal and the negative terminal.
The tester is activated, after which the consumer must take the current leakage values. If it is from 15 to 70 mA, this indicator is considered normal.

Preventive desulfation work

For desulfation, special chargers can be used; if such a device is not available, the task can be performed with a regular charger:

Before charging, a visual check of the case and diagnostics of the electrolyte are performed.
The charger is connected to the battery. You will need a memory that can control the voltage and current. The first parameter is set to 13.9-14.3 volts, and the second - to 0.8-1 ampere. The charger is activated, in this position the battery must be charged for at least eight hours.
Then the charger is turned off and the battery should stand for at least a day.
The charger is again connected to the battery, only the current value must be adjusted to 2-2.5 amperes. The charging procedure is completed within 8 hours. As a result, the voltage of the device, as well as the density, will increase. If so, then the desulfation process has begun successfully.
A small discharge current is then applied to the battery. You can connect a light source to the battery, for example, from high beams. The battery is left in this position for 8 hours.
The device is being recharged, the current will be from 0.8 to 1 ampere. Then the battery is left for a day without load and the procedure for recharging and discharging it is repeated. This task must be performed until the density value is increased to 1.27 g/cm3.

Vladislav Rezanov spoke in detail about all the nuances that must be taken into account when performing the procedure for restoration and desulfation of plates.

Periodic battery training

Training the device involves using deep discharge methods with small or cyclic currents followed by recovery. The use of third-party devices specifically designed for this purpose is permitted. It is recommended to perform the training procedure twice a year.

How to maintain maintenance-free batteries?

Nuances that must be taken into account when carrying out maintenance of maintenance-free products:

Diagnosis of the condition of the housing. It is necessary to determine possible defects and damage to the device. Electrolyte leaks are not allowed.
Diagnostics and repair of drainage channels. It is necessary to clean them from dirt and dust.
Determining the location of the working solution leak.
Removing residues and smudges of alkaline acid or other acidic formations.
Processing, their lubrication with lubricants. This will prevent rapid destruction and increase the service life.
Checking the condition of the battery terminals.

Security measures

Safety precautions to be taken into account when carrying out maintenance activities:

Before performing the task, the consumer must prepare safety glasses and gloves;
all maintenance procedures are carried out in well-ventilated areas;
all work with acidic compounds and alkalis is carried out with gloves made of dense material;
The battery must be placed on a dry surface, previously cleaned of dirt;
The working solution of the battery is not allowed to come into contact with the consumer’s skin.

Video “Nuances of car battery maintenance”

The battery technician talked about the nuances of maintenance and clearly showed the procedure for diagnosing and renewing battery parameters.

A car battery is used to accumulate electrical energy and power it to the vehicle's on-board network, primarily the electric starter of the engine when starting. The article will talk about how to properly diagnose a car battery, control its charge, and also check the level and density of the electrolyte in the battery.

The electrical system of most cars is 12-volt, with negative ground. The design of car batteries is quite simple: they consist of 6 blocks of lead plates with filler, immersed in a container that is filled with electrolyte. The electrolyte is an aqueous solution of sulfuric acid.

Each of the blocks provides a voltage of about 2 volts and is connected in series, providing a total voltage of 12-13 V. The car battery is recharged by a generator while the engine is running. Separately, there are gel batteries, which differ in design from acid batteries.

Before servicing, the battery must be removed from the vehicle. Disconnecting the battery from the on-board network is a responsible process. The negative terminal must be removed first, and during the installation process the same terminal is installed last.

Is it profitable to diagnose and restore the battery?

Definitely. Let's give a simple calculation. The nominal service life of a new battery is about 4 years. Replacing it will cost about 5,000 rubles. However, with proper diagnostics and charging of the battery, it can serve you faithfully for up to 5-6 years.

But diagnosing and restoring the battery is recommended not only for reasons of economy. The fact is that the normal operation of all electrical appliances and car systems depends on the operation of the battery.

CHECKING THE ELECTROLYTE LEVEL IN THE BATTERY. PREPARATION OF ELECTROLYTE

Checking the level and density of the electrolyte should be carried out every three months in order to promptly monitor the condition of the battery.

The electrolyte level in the battery is checked through the filler holes using a hollow glass tube with an internal diameter of 4-5 mm. One end of the tube is lowered through the hole until it stops at the safety shield. The hole in the tube at the other end is tightly closed with a finger, after which it is removed.

The column of electrolyte remaining in the tube should be within 12-15 mm. If the battery has an indicator (tube), then the electrolyte level should be at the same level or be 3-5 mm higher than it.

Checking the battery electrolyte level

Electrolyte for batteries is prepared only from battery sulfuric acid with the addition of distilled water. It is not allowed to use technical sulfuric acid and ordinary water, since the electrolyte must have a high degree of purity.

Otherwise, accelerated self-discharge (sulfitation) of the battery will occur, reducing its capacity and destroying the plates. If the electrolyte level decreases as a result of water evaporation, to restore the required volume, it is necessary to add only distilled water and in no case ready-made electrolyte!

If the electrolyte level exceeds normal, it should be sucked out with a rubber bulb with a glass or ebonite tip. If there is an increased level of electrolyte in the battery, it can splash out, which is also undesirable.

During the preparation of the electrolyte, sulfuric acid is added in a thin stream to the water, while the solution is mixed with a glass or ebonite rod. It is prohibited to pour water into acid, since the density of water is much lower than acid. Water will not be able to sink into the acid and will remain on the surface, while the chemical reactions that occur will cause heating and splashing of the acid. There is a possibility of getting burns.

CHECKING ELECTROLYTE DENSITY. DENSIMETER

One of the most important parameters of an electrolyte is its density. The density of the electrolyte in the battery is checked with a densimeter at a temperature of +25°C. If the temperature differs from the required one, corrections are made to the densimeter readings in accordance with the table below.

During battery operation, the density of the electrolyte continuously changes. There is a reversible change in density - the normal interval between charging and discharging the battery. For a new and serviceable battery, the normal range of changes in electrolyte density (full discharge - full charge) is 0.15-0.16.

There are also irreversible changes in density, for example, when water evaporates while the electrolyte is boiling. At the same time, its density increases.

High electrolyte density leads to reduced battery life. Low electrolyte density in the battery leads to a decrease in voltage and difficulty starting the engine.

The density of the electrolyte is measured with a special device - a densimeter. It consists of a hydrometer 1, a rubber bulb 2, a glass tube 3 and a tip 4.

A device for measuring electrolyte density - densimeter

Tip 4 is immersed in the electrolyte through the filler hole in the battery body and, using a rubber bulb, part of the electrolyte is sucked into the glass tube. In this case, the hydrometer (float) should float up in the tube body without touching its walls. After the hydrometer stops oscillating, readings are taken on a scale along the liquid line. The observer's gaze should be at surface level.

For central Russia (Moscow, Kazan, etc.), the electrolyte density should be at the level of 1.25-1.27. The density is checked in each battery compartment separately; the difference between the readings should not exceed 0.01. The low density of the electrolyte in winter creates a risk of freezing.

If necessary, density adjustments are made. First, a certain volume of electrolyte is sucked out of the battery compartment, instead of which either a correction electrolyte or distilled water is added. Low electrolyte density in the battery is corrected by adding a correction electrolyte with a density of 1.40.

Accordingly, if the density of the electrolyte in the battery is increased, distilled water should be added. After this, the battery is charged at the rated current for 30 minutes, followed by holding for 1-2 hours to better mix the electrolyte and equalize its density in all battery compartments.

HOW TO CHECK THE BATTERY CHARGE

How to check the charge of a car battery? These measurements can be taken using a load fork. This device consists of two contacts, a voltmeter, a handle and a load resistance switch. One of the options is shown in the figure.

Battery charge tester

The load resistance is adjusted in such a way as to provide a discharge current that is 3 times greater than the capacitance value. For example, if the battery capacity is 55 Ah, then the discharge current should be equal to 165 A. The load plug is connected to the battery terminals with its contacts, after which the time during which the voltage drops from 12.6 to 6 V is measured. For a fully charged and a working battery, this time should be at least 3 minutes.

The battery charge can also be assessed by the output voltage. To measure it you need use a voltmeter or multimeter, having previously removed the wire from the negative terminal of the battery. Below is a table of the dependence of charge on output voltage.

Modern maintenance-free batteries have a battery charge indicator. When fully charged, the indicator is green. As the charge decreases, its color changes from green to white or red.

To charge the battery, you should use a special charger. The charger is a constant current source. When connecting it to a battery, the positive pole is connected strictly to the positive terminal of the battery, the negative pole is connected to the negative terminal. It is necessary that the output voltage of the charger be higher than the battery voltage to ensure the passage of charging current.

A car battery is charged with a rated current equal to 10% of the battery's rated capacity. For example, with a capacity of 60 Ah, the rated charging current should be 6 A. In this case, charging can last up to 13-15 hours. The filler plugs must be open!

Charging the battery is considered complete if the electrolyte density and output voltage remain constant for 2 hours.

Timely checking the electrolyte and charging the battery should become a good habit for the car enthusiast. This will extend the battery life, ensure uninterrupted power supply to all electrical appliances in the car and save money.

Serviceable and maintenance-free battery. What to choose?

A battery stores and stores energy that can be used as electricity. It is impossible to bring a car without it. If this element fails, it most often needs to be replaced. Charging only helps to delay the purchase of a new device for a short time, and here car owners have a question - what type of battery to choose?

Serviceable battery

The battery has this name because you can actually unscrew the caps from the cans and see what is inside, as well as check the level and condition of the electrolyte, density, condition of the lead plates, the presence of sulfate crystals, boiling during charging. This is quite a significant plus - you can control the battery and make the right decision in a timely manner.

Maintenance free battery

This battery does not require maintenance. The device does not have unscrewable plugs - you won’t be able to see its “insides”. This is a sealed design with six jars, each containing a plate and filled with electrolyte - all of them are in a completely sealed space. When heated and then boiled, the electrochemical liquid rises in the form of steam. However, it does not come out of the sealed housing, but condenses on the walls and falls back down.

There are several different battery technologies of this type, for example:

with liquid electrolyte - have sealed holes into which distilled water is added;
gel - with thickened, dried silica gel, permeated with microcracks that do not allow electrolyte evaporation to evaporate;
AGM – with absorbed electrolyte, which almost does not emit gases during operation, develops high discharge currents and does not require maintenance during the entire service life;
EFB are improved acid batteries with a thin layer of hygroscopic fiber applied to the positive plate, which prevents the active mass from shedding.

What's better?

It is quite difficult to give a definite answer about which battery is better. The peace and safety of not only the car, but also the nervous system of its owner depends on the correct choice. When studying the store’s assortment, you need to clearly understand what you expect from a new device, and also know what specific battery characteristics are needed in your particular case.

One of the obvious advantages of maintenance-free batteries is that they do not require constant checking and monitoring. In such models, the electrolyte boils away significantly less than in service models. They also have a longer lifespan and produce more inrush current when starting the vehicle.

The advantages of batteries that do not require maintenance include their low degree of self-discharge. Any battery will discharge when stored for a long time. However, these batteries lose only up to 2% of their charge monthly, while serviced batteries lose up to 20% of their charge over the same period of time. Therefore, installing the former eliminates the possibility that the car will suddenly become unusable due to a frozen or discharged battery.

The charging process of this battery has one important feature that should be taken into account when purchasing it. This requires using only a special charger, which eliminates manual adjustment of the current power. The use of a conventional device risks squeezing out boiling electrolyte from the battery if the current through the emergency valve is incorrectly set. Subsequently, this affects the density of the liquid in the battery and reduces its service life.

Despite all the advantages of maintenance-free batteries, the production of maintenance-free batteries has not yet ceased. The fairly high demand for them is largely due to their low price compared to models without maintenance. Also, high-quality operation of maintenance-free batteries requires good automotive electrics, which is difficult to achieve, for example, in domestically produced cars. Short-circuiting or overcharging is not allowed; the device must be charged at a constant, even voltage, without surges, in a strict range: from 13.9 to 14.4 Volts. When discharged, you cannot use a conventional charger - to replenish the energy of such a battery, a special charger is required that maintains a constant current at the terminals.

Battery maintenance is necessary if, as a result of use, the performance characteristics of the battery have decreased (the starter turns too slowly, the car does not start, etc.). The main reason is the deviation of the battery from operating parameters. Service includes:

adding distilled water (electrolyte);
cleaning the body from white deposits and dirt;
recharging with a charger.

High-quality battery maintenance reduces the likelihood of its rapid failure and increases the reliability of engine starting in the cold season.

Thus, there is no definite answer which battery is better - each type of device has its own disadvantages and advantages. For car enthusiasts, owners of new vehicles with modern electronics, the best option is maintenance-free products, while experienced car owners can choose serviced models.

Whatever device you prefer, you should purchase it only from reliable auto stores that provide receipts and warranty cards. This will save you from the high costs of repairing or replacing the battery in the event of a breakdown: an examination at the service center will determine the manufacturing defect and will become the basis for a free battery replacement.

Every modern car is equipped with a device such as a battery. Its design is very reliable. When used correctly, such devices can operate for a very long time. However, be aware that sometimes the battery requires special maintenance.

This procedure does not take much time and effort from the car owner. But the service life of the device is significantly extended. , every car owner should know.

Necessity of the procedure

Wondering how to service the battery, it is necessary to first consider the reasons why such a procedure is performed. No matter how long the service life of modern devices of the presented type is, sooner or later the driver will have to face the need to carry out routine maintenance.

This is influenced by several factors. The main reasons why maintenance or even repairs are required are possible deviations in charge indicators. This situation is caused by generator malfunctions.

If a car owner leaves his vehicle for a long time with the battery connected, the charge of the device gradually decreases. Therefore, it may be necessary to charge it.

Question, how to maintain a car battery, may also arise due to lack of proper care. In this case, the equipment may become unusable. Moreover, it is not always possible to repair it. Therefore, timely actions and proper operation will significantly save money on the purchase of a new device.

Main types

Modern ones are characterized by a service life of at least 5 years. To extend the life of this device, you need to consider its type.

Two types of batteries can be used in cars, according to GOST 53165-2008. According to regulatory documentation, there are serviced or maintenance-free battery. Better take into account which class a particular device belongs to. The list of routine maintenance for each of them is significantly different.

Requires adherence to the manufacturer's recommendations during operation. They are specified in the instructions that come with the device. Maintenance-free batteries (despite their name) will also require some maintenance work over time. The difference lies in the set of actions that need to be performed in this case. All work can be done independently.

Maintenance free battery

Solving the issue how to maintain a maintenance-free battery, you should pay attention to the manufacturer's instructions. Many car enthusiasts prefer this type of equipment, since its routine maintenance is very simple.

In this case, you first need to inspect the battery case. There should be no leaks in it. Next, you should inspect the drainage holes. If contamination is detected, they must be cleaned. All other battery parts also require similar steps.

If an electrolyte leak is detected, it must be promptly eliminated and the acid neutralized. For this, use regular soda. If the device has a built-in hydrometer, it is necessary to check the density of the liquid inside the housing.

Features of a maintenance-free battery

Understanding the issue, how to maintain the battery maintenance-free type, the final procedure of this process should be considered. At this stage, the level of charge provided by the generator is assessed. If during testing it was found that the voltage is at the level of 12.5-14.5 V, then the equipment is in good order.

If discrepancies with the standard value are found, the generator has worn out. Urgent diagnosis and elimination of the problem is required. After repairs, it is necessary to check the operation of the system in different modes.

This type of equipment does not have special holes for monitoring the electrolyte and adding it to the required level. Therefore, if this indicator drops critically, and the density of the liquid also decreases, the battery is considered faulty and cannot be repaired. It is being replaced with a new device.

Features of the serviced battery

To figure it out which batteries are serviceable?, and which ones are not, you need to pay attention to the structure of the device. Even an inexperienced driver can do this. Serviced batteries have special holes that are closed with plugs.

These technological openings are intended for pouring electrolyte into the container. If the level of this indicator drops critically, you can unscrew the plugs yourself and pour the required amount of substance into the device. If a maintenance-free type of battery cannot be repaired due to such a malfunction, then the second type of device allows it to be used further after refilling. Cleaning is carried out, as in maintenance-free batteries.

Maintenance of the presented type of equipment is carried out in the order indicated above. But there are a number of features of this process. Using a hydrometer, the density and level of the electrolyte are monitored. Also in this technique there are several floats with different weights, as well as a pear. It is designed to fill the body.

Routine maintenance of a serviced battery

They require a certain set of routine maintenance. It starts with checking the fasteners and their reliability. If necessary, the battery bolts and nuts must be tightened.

If there are oxides between the wire clamps and terminals, they must be treated with grease. This will prevent corrosion from forming. After this, you can begin to visually check the electrolyte level. Sometimes a special measuring tube is used.

If necessary, distilled water (sold at the pharmacy) is poured into the battery. After the procedure is determined by a hydrometer. This makes it possible to determine the charge level. If the density of the contents of the container dropped by 0.01 g/cm³, the charge dropped by 6%.

Use this to check the serviceability of the unit. It is considered valid if the voltage does not drop for at least 5 seconds.

Topping up electrolyte

Considering how to properly maintain the battery, it is necessary to pay attention to adding electrolyte. It is required if a leak was identified during the diagnostic process. Batteries are available for sale with a charged capacity. This allows the car owner to immediately use the device for its intended purpose.

But sometimes there are also They need to be filled with electrolyte yourself before use. The density of the substance should be 1.27 g/cm³. It is filled to the required level.

20 minutes after this procedure (no later than 2 hours), the density inside the battery is checked with a hydrometer. If this indicator has not decreased by more than 0.03 g/cm³, the battery is ready for use. If the drop exceeds the specified value, you need to connect the charger. In this case, the charge should not exceed 10% of the rated current value. Actions should be continued until abundant gas emission appears in the jars.

What type of battery should I choose?

When studying the question of how to service the battery, Many car owners are interested in which type of battery is better. Expert opinion will help you figure this out. Recently, the popularity of maintenance-free batteries has been increasing. This is due to improved production technology for such products.

It is easier for a modern driver to purchase a maintenance-free battery, which is disposed of after its service life is exhausted. Buying a new battery is sometimes much easier than refilling an old one.

Experienced car enthusiasts still prefer serviced varieties. If you have the proper tools, the use of such batteries allows you to operate the presented equipment for a longer period. Therefore, for those people who have enough free time and knowledge to carry out maintenance of such batteries, this option is preferable.

Battery recovery

If a question arises, how to maintain a car battery which has been severely discharged, you should consider the instructions for restoring the battery. If you charge with a low current, after a long time the density can increase. This way you can revive the device.

If the battery has working plates, you can pour sulfuric acid with a reading of 1.4 g/cm³ inside. Sometimes it is better to consult a specialist. He will use special techniques and techniques to restore the battery.

Accumulator charging

Studying how to maintain the battery, it is necessary to say a few words about its charging. To prevent the battery from being discharged during prolonged inactivity, it is necessary to disconnect its mass. Requires periodic charging. A special device is used for this. It first lowers the voltage and then starts charging the battery. The charging process occurs automatically. There is no need to monitor its implementation.

Having considered the basic rules and understanding, how to maintain the battery, you can perform all the steps yourself. By following the recommendations of specialists, you can significantly save on maintenance costs, and by regularly performing routine maintenance, you will be able to extend the life of any type of battery.

A car battery is a very important component; after a certain period of time it fails (although this may be trivial - it can be removed) and you need to replace it. But when choosing a battery, the question arises, which is better, more reliable - one made using maintenance-free or maintenance-free technology? What to choose in order to take a minimum part in its operation...

To be honest, this is an age-old question, the same as choosing between . In this article I will try to give some really useful tips. I propose to start by talking about the technology being supported.

Serviceable battery

Why it has such a name is because you can physically unscrew the caps from the cans and see what is inside you.

Helpful actions may include:

Checking the electrolyte level
Density check
Electrolyte state (light or dark - black)
Visual inspection of lead plates
Formation of sulfate crystals
Boiling when charging

In general, in simple language you can get to the “insides”. On the one hand, this is a very big plus, because you control your battery and make the necessary decisions.

I will say this, in those distant years, there was nothing special; I personally did various experiments with serviced batteries. I charged them until bubbles were released, increased the density, topped up the level with distilled water, etc. Here your hands are completely free and you can do whatever you want.

But these batteries also have negative sides, especially for beginners who do not understand the device:

Due to the fact that this battery is not sealed, the electrochemical liquid may boil away or evaporate (in the heat of summer) from the cans. Thus, the level decreases.
If the level drops, the battery capacity also drops, you simply will not be able to start the car.
Water evaporates, and therefore the density of the acid increases, this can negatively affect the plates, namely, they can collapse.
Sulfation of exposed areas of the plates occurs faster.
You need to constantly monitor your electrolyte levels, especially in the summer.
When evaporating, some of the acid ends up on top and a white coating forms. This deposit can short-circuit the terminals and partially discharge the battery being serviced.

To be honest, the most common problem in past years was boiling or evaporation of the electrolyte. In the summer, such a battery still worked somehow, but as soon as the first frost hit, it could barely turn the engine. Therefore, it was recommended to monitor the level at least once every two weeks and, if necessary, pour distilled water. For beginners it was very inconvenient, just imagine a girl (blonde) fiddling with the battery! It was precisely because of the need for maintenance that such batteries quickly failed, on average, God forbid, 2 - 3 years. Manufacturers have been struggling with the formula for a problem-free battery and it seems they have found it.

As the name suggests, it requires no maintenance! It doesn't have plugs on top that you have to unscrew to see all its insides. It is a completely sealed structure.

Device:

It also has six cans that hold 6 packs of plates and filled with electrolyte, but there are no caps on top! They are in a sealed space. What this gives us is that when heated and boiled, the electrochemical liquid rises upward in the form of steam. But it cannot escape from the sealed case, then it condenses on the walls and falls back down!

In fact, an ingenious solution - the main problem of the battery being serviced is solved, the plates are always in the liquid and are not “exposed”. Also, the density always remains at the desired level.

For beginners, this is generally just a super device; the maintenance-free battery works out its money 100%.

However there are also negative aspects – you can’t control the insides! What if the electrochemical liquid turns black? It’s okay if the body is transparent, but what if it’s not? Then you will never understand what's going on! On serviced batteries, the jumpers between the banks were usually open, that is, you can easily ring with a multimeter and determine which one is working and which one is not! ON maintenance-free ones, you cannot do this, because the body is practically cast. It is impossible to measure the density, by the way, for this they sometimes set “”, and you cannot measure the level either.

It is worth noting separately that the maintenance-free design has an emergency pressure relief valve! It rarely works, but it does work - for example, when there is a direct overcharge, so that the battery does not burst. Then some of the steam comes out, water + sulfuric acid, but you can’t add it back. Thus, several strong overcharges and the battery may lose capacity! Although I don’t know whether reloads or a burst of steam will kill her faster.

In general, this is an ideal design for a kettle - don’t fuss, use it correctly, and it will work for a long time.

Battery life

If you compare two designs - serviced and unserviced, then of course the second one will last longer, and significantly! THIS IS THE ONE YOU NEED TO CHOOSE! Of course, for a knowledgeable person, an ordinary battery with plugs at the top will work for a long time, but there are few such motorists now! And 80% of maintenance-free options are now on sale.

If you determine the battery life, then the information here is also not unambiguous: - of course, now there are a lot of manufacturers who make really high-quality batteries, others are frankly slapdash, using thin lead plates that are destroyed after only 3 years. Therefore, if you buy a battery, look towards branded serious companies, even if they cost a little more. But they will walk for 5 – 7 years, without any problems! AS A RULE, THE WARRANTY FOR SUCH BATTERIES IS AT LEAST 24 months, or even 36! But incomprehensible companies that have appeared recently, and they cost pennies, will work for only 2-3 years at best, and they only have a 12-month warranty, or even that!