One of the most important (and neglected) items in a vehicle is the storage battery. It is only used for a fraction of the time spent in the car — basically to provide the energy to crank up the starter. Once that is accomplished, it just sits there, being fed juice from the alternator. There is no other call for its services. This is because the electrical system in the vehicle has another component. The alternator as previously mentioned, supplies power to the battery and any other source needing a supply. This is accomplished through a belt that is hooked up to the motor which turns the alternator (or generator) several thousand times per minute. The interior of this device is designed to produce a direct current that is able to power everything on board. However, it only makes energy when the motor is running. It does not have the storage capacity of a battery.
A car battery packs a mighty wallop, which is one reason that it is used to supply voltage to the starter. This takes a lot of energy at once, something an alternator just can’t provide. It is also the biggest reason that batteries have been around forever. With advances in technology, these items have become even more efficient and will last a lot longer when compared to earlier versions. This is good news because the costs certainly have not gone down even with the recent innovations in this area.
One option that has become available for car owners facing a new battery purchase is the booster pack. They are designed to give a dying battery new life — at least enough energy to start a car when necessary. They are great for emergencies, helping to extend the useful life of a battery and be the backup system in case of an emergency. Another useful thing about these booster packs is the fact there are jumper cables attached which also can help in tough times.
In a worst case scenario, getting the car rolling is often just enough to start it. However this is only applicable to stick shift vehicles, since it won’t work with an automatic transmission. The process is quite easy to accomplish, and involves making sure the car is in the neutral gear before getting it moving. The operator then needs to depress the clutch, quickly put the car into first gear and release the clutch pedal. The momentum that is built up is typically enough to start the motor and then drive to a place where the battery can be serviced. It only takes a speed of about 3 miles per hour, but again this can only be done to a car with a manual transmission.
The car battery can enjoy an extended life with the proper care and maintenance. This involves making sure that the terminals are tight and cleaning them off at least twice each year. A quick bath with a mild solution of baking soda and water also helps to remove any excess grime and acid that may be present. If the model is not of the sealed variety, the water levels should be checked and topped off with distilled water only.
A battery is one of the least used components on a vehicle. Although it doesn’t have a whole lot of activity in the grand scheme of things, being able to start the engine in any kind of weather is of critical importance to most drivers who don’t relish the thought of replacing this item. However that is typically the case when the battery is not properly cared for and the owner does not take the few minutes to perform a simple maintenance check on the vehicle. A car battery is one of the most important components in the electrical system of any vehicle, and with the proper usage will last for a number of years before requiring replacement.