-
Test your battery on a regular basis, including
when you have your car serviced, before long trips or after it's
been recharged.
-
Maintain all areas/parts of your vehicle as
directed in your owner's manual and/or by your mechanic. This will
reduce the chance of other engine components draining power from
your battery. It's not always the battery's fault
when a car
doesn't start, but often a symptom of other problems.
Deep Cycle/Marine Batteries
Storing your battery for extended periods
-
Charge the battery until it is completely charged
-
Store it in a cold place but not where it will
consistently go below 32°F
-
Check the battery every two months and recharge if
necessary*
-
Remove all electrical connections from the battery
including series/parallel connectors
*A fully charged specific gravity of 1.265 corrected
to 80°F is assumed.
Maintenance tips for extended battery life
-
Regularly clean the battery container and
terminals
-
Make sure vent caps are tight to prevent water or
baking soda from entering cells
-
Apply baking soda to any corrosion and rinse cover
with water
-
Check your battery's electrolyte level before
charging, it should be at the bottom of the vent splash band:
| - |
Electrolyte level low? Add distilled water to bring level to the bottom of the vent walls. |
| - |
Distilled water not available? Use a good drinking water. It's better than adding nothing; otherwise the battery plate will dry out and the battery could lose its capacity. |
Recharging guidelines for maximum life
-
Recharge immediately after each use
-
Use battery charger matched to the battery's size
-
Do not overcharge; an automatic charger that turns
off or on with a timer is your best bet
-
Always slow charge a deep cycle battery; never
fast charge or boost charge it
-
A 10-12 hour charge with the appropriate charger
at the correct amp rate will usually bring your battery to a full
state of charge from a deep discharge
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