Why your battery is important
We all know that our industry is defined by rough environments, extreme weather, and dusty terrains. But did you know that having a solid battery system ensures the A1 performance of your heavy-duty vehicles?
Batteries are an integral component of your equipment and your business. To meet the demands of a workday, they need to be capable enough to provide your equipment with enough energy – which can be done through proper battery maintenance procedures. Often ignored, maintenance steps done semi-annually can save time, enhance the lifespan of your battery, and protect your equipment.
With planning and preparation, you can increase the effectiveness of your equipment batteries and keep your operation running smoothly.
Preventative maintenance practices
Charge your battery properly
- Do not allow the battery to drop below 20% power before charging. You can harm the power unit and permanently impact its performance. It can also overheat and damage its circuits.
- Charge your battery at 16-18 amps per 100 amp hours, for around 8-10 hours. Allow cooling before use.
- Make sure the battery is charging without interruption. You can decrease its performance rate and shorten battery life by undercharging or charging multiple times for short periods of time.
Equalize charge routinely
- For those who don’t know, equalizing charging is a deliberate overcharge to your equipment’s battery that is required to function accordingly. This is done by increasing the voltage to 110% of the recommended level. Because you are charging over the recommended level, make sure to monitor the process as it may lead to overheating.
- If you are uncertain about whether an equalizer charge is necessary, consult your power unit manual which can assist you in removing sulfation and remixing the battery’s water-acid mixture (both done through equalization).
Clean your equipment battery regularly
- A neutralizing solvent used on a regular basis can prevent grime, corrosion, and other subsequent problems if cleaned correctly.
- Sometimes your power unit may overfill, which needs to be cleaned up immediately. This overflow can cause corrosion if battery acid is left inside your equipment. This can also worsen battery life and cause your power unit to overheat when you are using your equipment.
Always check fluid levels!
- Lead-acid battery maintenance must include inspecting and controlling your fluid levels on a regular basis. Water protects the power unit during power generation.
- Always add water after charging or equalizing your battery if your lead plates are uncovered. Otherwise, every 5-10 charging cycles is the norm. If done too frequently, you can experience electrolyte boil-over, reducing capacity.
- For the amount of water to add to your battery, add enough to cover its plates. Adding too much water can cause overflow, and underwatering can cause permanent damage to the power unit .
Keep your batteries maintained or reap the consequences!
We know that equipment batteries are easy to forget after a long work week but keeping your fleet well-maintained is vital to the efficiency and productivity of your business. Especially in the expensive market of heavy-duty equipment, prolonging the lifespan of your vehicles can save thousands of dollars a year.
Although we don’t expect you to check your batteries every day, we recommend testing out your equipment’s battery system twice a year for maximum performance. This will ensure your equipment won’t die on the job site and keep your operators happy!
When it comes to keeping your engine maintained and fleet processes streamlined, you may want to look at the Senzit sensor which can help with monitoring your equipment digitally – saving you time and money while reducing downtime.
Check out the Senzit predictive maintenance platform and its wide variety of features.