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FAQ
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A. Common Automotive Battery 1. What is a CCA/Cold Cranking Amp? The basic job of a battery is to start an engine; it must crank, or rotate the crankshaft while at the same time maintain sufficient voltage to activate the ignition system until the engine fires and maintains rotation. This requirement involves a high discharge rate in amperes for a short period of time. Since it is more difficult for a battery to deliver power when it is cold, and since the engine requires more power to turn over when it is cold, the Cold Cranking rating is defined as:- The number of amperes a lead-acid battery at 0 degrees F (-17.8 degrees C) can deliver for 30 seconds and maintain at least 1.2 volts per cell (7.2 volts for a 12-volt battery). In other words, CCA/cold cranking amps determine how much power you have to start your car on cold winter mornings. 2. What is a CA/Cranking Amp? Cranking amps are the numbers of amperes a lead-acid battery at 32 degrees F (0 degrees C) can deliver for 30 seconds and maintain at least 1.2 volts per cell (7.2 volts for a 12 volt battery). In other words, CA/cranking amps determine how much power you have to start your car in most climates. 3. What is Reserve Capacity? Reserve capacity is the time in minutes that a new, fully charged battery will deliver 25 amperes at 80 degrees F and maintain a terminal voltage equal to, or greater than, 1.75 volts per cell. This rating represents the time the battery will continue to operate essential accessories if the alternator or generator of a vehicle fails. Put another way, reserve capacity is a battery's ability to sustain a minimum vehicle electrical load in the event of a charging system failure. Under the worst conditions (winter driving at night), this minimum could require current for ignition, low beam head lamps, windshield wipers, and defroster while driving at low speeds. 4. How can batteries of different sizes have the same capacity? Batteries come in many different group sizes. A battery's group size simply determines it's length, width, height, and terminal configuration; this has nothing to do with a battery's capacity. Regardless of the group size, two batteries are equal in power if the CCA ratings are the same. New technology enables a great deal of power to be put into smaller cases with today's new high capacity output design. 5. What is the correct size and capacity battery for my car? First, you should check the automobile owner's manual for proper size and minimum recommended cranking amps. You can also consult a battery application guide by looking up correct make, model, and year to determine the proper group size for your vehicle. Never use a battery with a lower capacity rating than is recommended by the manufacturer. Using a battery with a higher capacity is never detrimental, and is recommended for older vehicles to improve starting and provide longer life for the battery. The increased rating will not effect the starting and charging system. 6. How does excessive cold affect my battery? Extreme cold dramatically reduces the speed at which chemical reaction can occur, while increasing electrolyte resistance. It is important to keep batteries at a full charge during periods of extreme cold. Batteries in a discharged state are susceptible to freezing, which can cause damage to the plates and battery container. Automobiles demand more from a battery in freezing temperatures as the motor oil thickens and makes the engine harder to crank. 7. How does heat affect my battery? Heat is the number one killer of a battery; although it increases the performance of the battery short-term, life is drastically reduced over time. Heat increases the rate of evaporation, which causes a loss of water from the electrolyte. Extreme heat also increases the rate of self-discharge and promotes the corrosion of the positive plate grids. GNB's patented AG-9 silver enriched grid alloy dramatically reduces corrosion and extends battery life twice as long as standard battery designs. 8. Will placing my battery on concrete drain the charge? No. A battery will not lose its state-of-charge strictly from placing it on a concrete surface, but will discharge it over a period of time, due simply to neglect. Will adding aspirin or other additives to my battery prolong its life? Under normal conditions, a battery fails due to the deterioration of the positive grids and active material. Additives will not restore the integrity of the metal grid nor replenish the active material onto the plate. Simply stated...DO NOT add additives! 9. What do I need to do to maintain my automobile battery? Your GNB automobile battery will come with 2 removable vent caps at the top of the battery. These caps can be removed to check the electrolyte level in the battery. If the level appears low, add distilled or good quality drinking water to the fill wells. DO NOT OVERFILL! Overfilling can cause acid to be discharged from the battery during operation. The fluid level should be checked at least once a year in cold or mild climates and more often in hot climates. While checking the electrolyte, you should also check the battery terminals for signs of corrosion. Clean the terminals and attached cables of any dirt and corrosion to ensure a good connection and proper starting. By removing any oil and dirt from the battery's casing, you will reduce the risk of short circuiting. 10. What is the proper way to charge my battery? One rule of thumb: If a battery was discharged quickly then it should be recharged quickly, and a slowly discharged battery should be recharged slowly. The main concern is to not overheat nor overcharge the battery. All batteries contain sulfuric acid and can generate explosive gases. Read and follow all warning labels before charging a battery. Be sure to charge in a well-ventilated area. Battery chargers vary by manufacturer and it is important to follow the charging instructions to ensure that the battery is returned to a full charge. For best results, charge the battery as soon as you know it is discharged. Another rule of thumb: For charging an average fully discharged automotive battery using a 10-amp automotive charger, it will take approximately 8-10 hours at 80 degrees F temperature to reach full charge. Warning: Once a battery has been fully charged, it should be disconnected from the charger immediately. Continuing to charge a fully charged battery will severely damage the internal plates and shorten battery life. 11. How does a charging system work? A car charging system consists of three major components: ----- 1.Alternator - the mechanical device driven by one of the engine belts. It produces a steady flow of electrical current on a continuing basis while the engine is running. 2.Voltage Regulator - monitors the state-of-charge in the battery to determine when and if more current should flow from the alternator into the battery to replace used electricity. When a battery is returned to full capacity, the regulator shuts off the flow of current from the alternator. This action occurs several times per minute. 3.Battery - an electrical reservoir used to store current until it is needed to power the engineās starter motor. It provides sufficient electrical power, so the engine can reach starting RPMās. Once the engine is running, the electrical demand is supplied by the alternator alone to the coil, which continues to supply fire to the spark plugs. A simple analogy for a charging system would be to compare it to a garden hose with a spray nozzle and a bucket/receptacle. Water flows through a garden hose as does the electrical current to the alternator. As long as the water/current is flowing, the hose/alternator is producing electrical current to charge the battery. The regulator, compared to the spray nozzle at the end of the hose, determines the amount of the electrical current released into the battery. The battery becomes the bucket/receptacle already filled with water. When water is removed from the bucket, the spray nozzle/regulator will open to allow water/ electrical current to refill the bucket, or recharge the battery. Once the battery is completely recharged, the regulator will shut off the flow. 12. How do I jump start my battery? When jump starting a car it is important to make sure you shield your eyes and face from the battery at all times and follow these steps:---- 1.Connect the positive [+] cable to positive post of discharged battery. 2.Connect other end of the same cable to same marked post (positive) of starting vehicle battery. 3.Connect second cable (negative [-] ) to other post of booster battery. 4.MAKE FINAL CONNECTION ON ENGINE BLOCK OF STALLED VEHICLE AWAY FROM BATTERY. STAND BACK. 5.Start vehicle and remove cables in reverse order. 13. When should I replace my battery? Your battery may need replacement if you experience any of the following: Battery loses power in cold or extended starts, turnover of the starting motor is slow or interrupted, or battery discharge light on the vehicle instrument panel is lit. If you are experiencing any of these symptoms, you should have your battery and/or electrical system checked. 14. How often should I replace my battery? There are a number of factors to consider when determining how often a battery needs to be replaced. These include vehicle type, region or climate, and driving habits. If your current battery performance is unsatisfactory, you may need to upgrade your battery to suit your particular situation and needs. 15. What are the causes of battery failure? The most harmful elements to an automobile battery are heat and vibration. However, there are numerous other factors that can cause battery failure, such as: corroded cables and terminals, lack of electrolyte maintenance, sulfation, alternator/regulator malfunction, and electric shorts. 16. What is the proper way to store an automobile battery? When storing an automobile battery, it is important to make sure it is at a full charge and the electrolyte level is full. A battery stored in a discharged state is susceptible to freezing sulfation and an increased rate of further discharge. The battery should be placed in a cool dry area, the cooler the better without going below 32°F, that is well ventilated and out of reach of children and pets. 17. Do I need to add water to my battery? How much? When? All GNB automobile batteries are maintenance accessible. The batteries have 2 removable vent caps (which will expose 6 holes or fill wells) where distilled or good drinking-quality water can be added. BE CAREFUL NOT TO OVERFILL. The electrolyte should not go past the end of the fill well. Overfilling can cause acid to be discharged during operation. The electrolyte level should be checked at least once a year in cold or mild climates and more often in hot climates. 18. Are automobile batteries recyclable? GNB Technologies, conscientiously applying a comprehensive business approach called Total Battery Management (TBM), plays a leading role in one of America's most effective and successful recycling programs. GNB is the world's largest recycler of lead acid batteries, operating 5 sites. Three of those sites are located within the United States and are federally licensed. TBM encompasses manufacturing and distribution of lead-acid batteries, responsible collection and storage of spent batteries, safe transportation and reclamation of battery materials, and use of those materials in the production of new batteries. Every year, GNB recycles the components of 14 million batteries, returning 320 million pounds of lead and 27 million pounds of plastic to battery manufacturing while diverting these materials from waste stream. GNB batteries are 99% recyclable. B. Common Motorcycle Battery 1. How do I determine the correct battery for my motorcycle? First, you should check the motorcycle owner's manual for proper size and minimum recommended cranking amps. You can also consult a battery application guide by looking up correct make, model, year, and CCs to determine the proper size for your vehicle. Never use a battery with a lower capacity rating than is recommended by the manufacturer. Using a battery with a higher capacity is never detrimental, and is recommended for older vehicles to improve starting and provide longer life for the battery. The increased rating will not affect the starting and charging system. 2. What is the proper way to charge my motorcycle battery? Consult your battery owner's manual and refer to the enclosed charging table for the proper amount of charging time. A 1- or 2-amp charger is recommended for motorcycle batteries. When you activate a new battery by filling it with acid, it will need to be charged. 3. Is my motorcycle battery sealed? This is dependent upon which motorcycle battery you own. The Champion line of motorcycle batteries are sealed once you add the acid. On the other hand our line of Super Crank motorcycle batteries are maintenance accessible and do require electrolyte maintenance. Some motorcycles require a sealed battery. 4. How long should my motorcycle battery last? The life of a battery is determined by a number of factors, with the most important being proper maintenance. Amount of use, proper charging and climate all are elements that also need to be considered. A battery that is stored for prolonged periods of time without use or recharging can develop sulfation on the plates which will greatly reduce the time a battery will perform. 5. What is the proper way to store my motorcycle battery? Clean battery case and terminals with baking soda and water, being careful to make sure the solution does not get into the battery. Always check to ensure the battery is fully charged before storing. Batteries stored in a discharged state are susceptible to freezing and an increased rate of further discharge. Store in a cool dry place ( not next to a furnace or other heat source) and out of reach of children and pets. Check the state of charge every 45-60 days and add distilled water if needed. 6. Are motorcycle batteries recyclable? GNB Battery Technologies, conscientiously applying a comprehensive business approach called Total Battery Management (TBM), plays a leading role in one of America's most effective and successful recycling programs. TBM encompasses manufacturing and distribution of lead-acid batteries, responsible collection and storage of spent batteries, safe transportation and reclamation of battery materials, and use of those materials in the production of new batteries. Every year, GNB recycles the components of 14 million batteries, returning 320 million pounds of lead and 27 million pounds of plastic to battery manufacturing while diverting these materials from waste stream. GNB batteries are 99% recyclable. ENJOY DRIVING WITH 'AMCO SHOPPE' IN MIND. BYE ! (Portions of information from Battery Council International/BCI) |
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