WORKSHOP BATTERY MANAGEMENT IN WINTER
CTEK estimates as many as one in three vehicles entering the workshop has a battery requiring attention
Cold temperatures as we head into winter can place additional strain on batteries, with figures recently released by the NRMA* listing battery-related problems as one of the most common causes for vehicle breakdowns in winter.
Battery replacements are costly and battery-related failures waste time, resources and can affect a company’s profit and reputation, explains CTEK, a leading global brand in battery management solutions.
Cold weather can have a massive impact on battery performance. At around 0°C a lead acid battery loses around 20 percent of its capacity, and at -30°C it loses around 50 percent of its capacity (dependant on age and condition), states CTEK.
This is due to the whole chemical reaction process within the battery slowing down and leading to reduced power output.
Winter can be especially challenging if a battery is nearing or past the three-to-five-year mark as older batteries often have diminished internal plates and electrolyte levels, reducing their ability to deliver quick bursts of power.
In addition, the headlights, heated windshields, defrosting systems and heated seats that are run during the cold have the effect of drawing extra power from the vehicle’s battery.
While those comforts are lifesavers, they add up to more workload for the battery. If the battery was not in prime condition, or it was already on the decline, these added demands can accelerate its wear.
It is a myth that the alternator can bring the battery up to maximum capacity and the short journeys often undertaken by cars means that the alternator is working flat out all of the time, with no hope of even coming close to charging the battery.
With batteries working harder than ever before, CTEK says it has a fast, safe and effective solution that will enable workshops to regularly charge batteries without having to take vehicles off the road for long periods of time.
The CTEK PRO60 and PRO120 for instance deliver consistent 60A and 120A power supply respectively and 12V battery support with fully regulated power.
Powerful, electronically safe and with rapid charging for all chemistries, CTEK explains that its battery support units are easy to use, fully automatic and designed to offer outstanding levels of reliability and efficiency for workshops.
While some initial investment is required, CTEK says the long-term benefits of introducing and sticking to a battery management program far exceed this initial expenditure.
Simply by charging and conditioning batteries on a regular basis, workshops can ensure that vehicles are protected against electrical non-starts and other battery related breakdowns during the cold winter months.
For further details on the full range of CTEK chargers, visit www.ctek.com
