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When you turn the ignition key to start your car, everything depends on the battery hidden somewhere in your car's engine compartment. Car batteries usually don't have to work very hard in warm weather, but when wintery conditions arrive, the engine is harder to turn over, so the battery has to work harder. Last year, NRMA roadside assistance and our battery technicians responded to over 400,000 calls for flat batteries, so we're here if you need us. There are, however, some things you can do to prevent issues and extend your battery's life. Temperature plays an important role in the performance of your batteryMost batteries in new cars should last three years on average and a cold snap will sort out the good from the bad! Inside the typical lead acid battery are lead plates in electrolyte liquid which creates an electro-chemical reaction to produce a charge to the battery terminals. Heat accelerates this chemical activity but also speeds up the internal corrosion with the cells which in turn reduces the lifespan of your battery. This is particularly true of batteries that repeatedly reach high internal temperatures, and once capacity has been damaged by heat, it can’t be restored. But just as heat speeds up chemical reactions, cold temperatures slow them down. That’s why you might feel your battery can become sluggish in winter, even though its state of charge may remain unchanged. At colder temperatures, the battery’s ability to provide sufficient power to start and run a vehicle is diminished. Automotive batteries are rated in CCA (Cold-Cranking Amperage). This is the amount of current a battery can deliver for 30 seconds at -18 C without dropping to a specified cut-off voltage. A fully charged lead-acid battery can survive up to –50 C, but a battery with a low state of charge can freeze at –1 C. When the water in a battery freezes it expands and can cause irreparable damage to the cells.
Learn how to maintain your car batteryWe recommend that car owners start paying close attention to their batteries after three years of installation. If your battery is starting to go, the first thing you'll probably notice is that the car sounds sluggish when trying to start. This is a major warning sign that shouldn't be ignored. If you hear sluggish sounds when you start up your car, do not immediately assume that the battery needs replacing. Check that the battery connections are tight and that the wires are not broken or disconnected. Also ensure that your terminals are clean - you can get them cleaned regularly during every major service so ask your mechanic. If your battery has caps, remove them and check that the fluid inside is about 5mm above the plates, or between the levels as indicated on the battery case. If low, top up with deionised water and avoid overfilling. Mop up any spillage. Some batteries are permanently sealed and do not require maintenance, so you won't be able to check the fluid if this is the case. If you are in any doubt, contact the team at NRMA Batteries and we can help. If you haven’t been driving your car or it’s been left sitting idle, you may not have enough power in your battery to start the engine. And while it may seem like a good idea, running your vehicles engine five minutes a day is not enough to maintain your car battery. To maintain the charge in your vehicles battery you need at least 30 minutes of driving - depending on the vehicle and the battery age. However, we recommend using a battery charger. With a fully automatic charger, it can be fitted to maintain your pride and joy or, used as a normal battery charger. Charge every two weeks and you’ll extend the life of your battery, restore battery performance and minimise the chances of breaking down. If you’re after a battery charger, or a battery for your car - the NRMA are here to help. Simply call 1300 726 751. Battery charging checklist:4 ways a battery can be charged:This is when a battery charger supplies DC power to a battery. The charge is constant and does not vary based on a timer or the current charge of the battery. They are generally cheap but take longer to charge a battery. This is when a battery charger supplies a low current charge over a longer time period. A battery charger using the trickle charging method can sometimes be indefinitely connected to the battery (depending on the makeup of the battery charger). This is when a battery charger stops its recharge after a set time. The downside of this method of battery charging is that overcharging may occur, which can cause irreversible damage to the battery. The smart charging method usually relies technology that can communicate with the battery and ascertain its level of charge. This allows the charger to balance its load and optimise the way it charges a battery. Charging is stopped when the battery reaches its capacity. A high quality intelligent charger can help keep a battery in a good state of health, which can also extend battery service life. How long does it take to charge a car battery in cold weather?Driving times of up to 40 hours can be required to charge deeply discharged cold batteries. While AGM batteries have up to 40% better recharge capacity across all temperature ranges they will still require more time in cold weather to recharge than driving laws allow.
How long should you run your car to recharge battery?Remember: After you've done a jump start, you'll need to keep the vehicle's engine running for around 30 minutes to allow the alternator time to charge the battery sufficiently.
Do car batteries charge while idling?The simple answer to this question is yes, your car's battery will start to charge as long as your engine is running. As long as the electrical systems aren't draining the battery quicker than the alternator is charging it, it is technically possible to completely charge your battery using this method.
Can you charge a car battery in cold weather?No charge permitted below freezing. Good charge/discharge performance at higher temperature but shorter life. Batteries can be discharged over a large temperature range, but the charge temperature is limited. For best results, charge between 10°C and 30°C (50°F and 86°F).
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How long to run car to charge battery in cold weather
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