ElectricalSup_5

FleetMaintenance_NovemberDecember_2016

BATTERIES controlled and provide multi-stage charging to optimally charge a number of different battery types Full Story ONLINE To read the full article, visit: VehicleServicePros.com/ seen in repair shops today – including AGM, fl ooded lead-acid and enhanced fl ooded battery types. This also refers to start-stop system batteries. How fast a battery charger works is dependent on amperage output. The higher the amperage, the faster the charge. “The charger’s role in the shop is changing. That’s accelerating the shift away from wheel chargers and toward portable chargers, because now it’s a charger in every bay – vehicle comes in, hood goes up, charger goes on the vehicle,” says Clore’s O’Hara. He adds that the reasons for this shift are as follows: the need for maintenance charging for each vehicle’s battery that comes into the shop, to ensure the battery is optimally mated to the vehicle system; to provide stable battery voltage for diagnosing electronic components; and for having a steady source of power on the battery for repairing electronic systems on a vehicle. “Traditional lead acid battery chargers are not compatible with AGM batteries and, if used, will damage and severely reduce the life of the battery,” Cottle says. Memory savers Memory savers are used during battery replacement to avoid resetting vehicle modules. They are connected to the vehicle through the OBD II port, or through the 12V power port, before 20842169 the battery is removed. Memory savers are mainly used to preserve programmed vehicle modules during battery replacements. Battery maintainer The function of a battery maintainer is to keep a fully charged battery continually charged. This is sometimes referred to as fl oat voltage, according to Cottle. While they may be similar to memory savers, battery maintainers are used when a battery is disconnected or removed from a vehicle completely. They are often used for batteries on vehicles in long-term storage, to prevent battery discharge. Flashing power supply Not to be confused with a maintainer, many battery service equipment manufacturers today offer units specially designed for maintaining proper vehicle voltage during a programming event. The voltage needed is based on OE specifi cations, and can range anywhere from 55 amps to 100 amps. Battery testers Generally used for more vehicle system diagnosis, O’Hara explains battery testers test the battery’s capacity, the starting system and the charging system (alternator). Overall, trends will continue to shift as the vehicle battery plays a larger role in providing creature comforts to drivers, as well as operating necessary systems for the vehicle. This also means that the tools and equipment required to service batteries will continue to change. The Professional Technician’s Choice DECEMBER 2016 | ELECTRICAL TESTING SUPPLEMENT | 5 6002B ESS6008MSK 800-949-1472 www.associatedequip.com BATTERY SERVICE EQUIPMENT FOR FLEET, HEAVY DUTY, AUTOMOTIVE AND INDUSTRIAL KS401 12-1015 6039 6044 6366 Enter 2 at “e-inquiry” on VehicleServicePros.com


FleetMaintenance_NovemberDecember_2016
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