BATTERIES Full Story ONLINE To read the full article, visit: VehicleServicePros.com/ 12263626 Enter 3 at “e-inquiry” on VehicleServicePros.com DECEMBER 2016 | ELECTRICAL TESTING SUPPLEMENT | 7 “It’s always important to follow the vehicle manufacturer’s battery disconnection guidelines,” he says. STORAGE RECOMMENDATIONS Some guidelines to adhere to when storing a battery: Look for damage. Inspect the battery for damage, such as cracks and corrosion, says Kimbrough of Interstate Batteries. On fl ooded batteries, check for low electrolyte levels. Clean the battery. Batteries should be cleaned prior to storage to remove any electrolyte deposits or corrosion, Kimbrough says. If electrolyte deposits and/or dirt/dust are present, batteries will often self-discharge quickly due to transient power loss between the negative and positive terminals. He suggests cleaning the battery terminals with a baking soda/ water mix or battery spray cleaner. Brad Bisaillon, director of strategic accounts, North America and Europe, Trojan Battery Company (www.trojanbattery.com)—a world-leading manufacturer of deep-cycle batteries—adds: “It is imperative to properly maintain the entire connection in a fl ooded battery because corrosion at either end of the connection can cause high resistance and potential battery failure.” Select an appropriate storage location. Because higher humidity areas can increase the battery’s corrosion, battery manufacturers recommended choosing a dry location. If freezing temperatures are expected during the storage period, locations should be avoided. The battery manufacturer’s guidelines should be consulted to fi nd the lowest acceptable storing temperature. Further, they advise storing batteries in places with adequate ventilation and away from fl ammable liquids, as well as away from areas near heat sources since hot temperatures accelerate battery self-discharge. Monitor and test. Batteries need to be monitored weekly, especially if you’ve left a charger connected to them, says Kimbrough of Interstate Batteries. Bisaillon of Trojan Battery suggests monitoring battery voltage every six weeks while in storage and that the batteries be given a boost charge when they are at 70 percent SOC (state of charge) or less. OUT OF STORAGE Before taking a battery out of storage, check to make sure the batteries are fully charged, says Odyssey Battery’s Eirich. Recheck for any corrosion or damage. If corrosion is present, it should be cleaned off. When installing the battery in the vehicle, Interstate Batteries’ Kimbrough recommends cleaning all battery attaching terminals and then connecting the positive cable fi rst and the negative cable second.
FleetMaintenance_NovemberDecember_2016
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