Non-manufacturing faults explained
If a battery is allowed to stand in a discharged state for an excessive period of time, a chemical reaction takes place, which will permanently impair the performance of the battery, this is called SULPHATION. Sulphation can often be seen as a white or grey coating on the battery plates. In most cases this signifies irreversible damage to the battery. This is NOT a manufacturing fault.
Each time a battery goes through a charge and discharge cycle a small amount of the active material from the plates is lost. If the battery is subjected to deep cycle discharging and then rapid recharge this process is accelerated. A battery only has a finite number of cycles before it loses capacity to perform. Vehicles with high usage such as taxi’s, trucks and buses will often subject the battery to its finite number of cycles over a much shorter time period thus resulting in a much shorter battery life. To identify the signs of deep cycling, use a hydrometer to check the clarity of the electrolyte. If the electrolyte appears grey or black in all cells and the specific gravities are all below the recommended levels the battery is or has reached the end of its serviceable life. This is NOT a manufacturing fault.
If an alternators regulator is not functioning properly, then the battery can be subjected to and excessive charge. If left unchecked the battery will overheat, evaporating the electrolyte. This causes the accelerated break-up of the active mass on the plates, thus causing severe loss of battery performance. Generally this is immediately noticeable by the appearance of the vent covers, which will have a black sooty or a brownish coating, the electrolyte levels will be extremely depleted, there will be an acrid smell and in some cases the case of the battery will be severely heat damaged. This is NOT a manufacturing fault.
Fitting a lesser capacity battery will result in early failure and/or shorter service life. Check the vehicle manual if in doubt. Easystart always recommend a battery equal to or greater than the original equipment. If a lesser capacity battery is fitted and fails, in general it will have all the signs of a deep cycled battery (see above). This is NOT a manufacturing fault.
If a battery is fitted incorrectly, it may cause some physical damage to the casing or terminal area of the battery. Before fitting a battery please ensure the battery tray is clear of nuts and bolts that can pierce the base of the battery. Ensure that the terminal connectors are adequately tightened. Too loose and there is a danger of arcing causing the terminal to melt too tight and there is a danger of cracking the casing in the terminal area. This is NOT a manufacturing fault.
Always store batteries in a warm room. Wrong: As long as the storage area is frost free, storing batteries in low temperatures actually preserves the batteries charge.
It’s ok to top a battery up with tap water. Wrong: Only in an emergency, tap water contains too many harmful mineral element. The use of demineralised or distilled water is advised.
Additives extend the life of a battery. Wrong: It is recommended that only demineralised water is used. Additives only remove the active materials from the plate, shortening the life of the battery.
An old battery can recovered by replacing the acid content. Wrong: Old acid is not the reason an old battery fails. Plate degeneration is. Adding new acid will only accelerate the batteries failure.
Replace just one battery on a 24v (series) system. Not Advisable: The good battery is probably old and will use the newly fitted battery as a slave, this will cause the accelerated aging of the new battery.
