CCJ

June 2018

Fleet Management News & Business Info | Commercial Carrier Journal

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30 commercial carrier journal | june 2018 Winter battery troubles start in the summer BY JASON CANNON W hile winter weather takes a lot of blame for battery failures, the primary culprit often is hot- weather driving before the cold months arrive. "Generally, more damage is done to the battery during the summer months," says Patrick McLaughlin, product manager for Exide Technologies. "However, it may not be noticeable until the colder months when the battery needs to work harder." Lead acid batteries have a higher discharge rate in elevated temperatures, and high-heat climates can accelerate the evaporation of electrolytes, shortening a battery's service life. at's why fleets running trucks with auxiliary power units and other driver amenities are migrating to absorbed glass mat batteries that feature both high cranking and deep-cycle power. e electrolyte is absorbed by a fine fiberglass mat, and the unit is sealed, eliminating the damage that can be caused from electrolyte loss. "Sealed batteries don't openly vent, so they do not dry out," says Alan Kohler, transportation and specialty market- ing manager for EnerSys. "If your cab is decked out with extra plug-ins and appli- ances, or if you are running your air conditioner when you're parked in a hot climate, the AGM is probably the best choice for you," says Bob Gruenstern, Interstate Batteries' director of quality for supply chain management. e leading cause of failure in cranking batteries is the degradation of the positive-grid current collectors inside each cell. Lead acid batteries operate using an oxidation-re- duction reaction, which Gruenstern says oxidizes the posi- tive grids as the battery charges. "Temperature is an accelerator to this corrosion process," he says. "e more time the battery spends in a hot environ- ment, the faster this corrosion takes place." Put them to the test Even though a truck's batteries operate nearly every major component on the vehicle, barely half of all fleets – just 54 percent – admit to testing them as part of routine service, Gruenstern says. "Optimally, you should inspect and test batteries regularly with every scheduled preventive maintenance inspection, and charge the batteries if they are low on charge," he says. "Do not rely on the alternator to do the charging. Over time, this can cause alternator stress, resulting in a premature alternator failure." e first step of a battery inspection, Gruenstern says, is to check the battery connections and clean the posts. In some cases, battery acid level can be checked and adjusted if necessary with distilled water. Also, inspect the components that secure the battery to the truck; vibration can damage a battery if its hold-down hardware is loose or missing. Kohler says a basic quick battery check starts with a simple voltage test. McLaughlin says for most 12-volt batteries, trucks require a 75-percent state of charge – 12.4 volts – to turn over the engine. Any 12-volt AGM battery that is fully charged should measure about 12.8 volts. "Extreme variations in battery voltage can mean trouble," he says. A battery tester can check for other hidden signs of trouble. Gruenstern suggests choosing a tester that provides a reading of the battery's starting capability and also checks its open circuit voltage (OCV) to verify it is being charged properly. "It is best to check each battery individually, not in a se- ries," Kohler says. "is will indicate if one specific battery is having more of a problem than another in the system." Most starting batteries in trucks leaving the factory feature 650 or 700 cold cranking amps (CCA) unless they're spec'd for a specific application. For trucks that spend much of their service life in a hot environment, consider batteries with a lower CCA, which allows for a greater electrolyte volume. "Flooded batteries with a lower CCA – 600 to 750 – usually have thicker or less plates that can hold a charge for longer periods," McLaughlin says. "With less plates than a higher CCA battery, the additional acid in the case allows for better cooling properties." in focus: BATTERIES

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