"Where Fillmore County News Comes First"
Online Edition
Wednesday, June 19th, 2013
Volume ∞ Issue ∞
- 8:58:04, Jun 18th 2013 - cabraden1 - I salute you Colonel Overland. Your were my c.o. at Rockville Naval Air ... [Read More]
- 7:10:46, Jun 13th 2013 - chipperlee - Seems to be a well written article, except maybe Silica Sand is used in ... [Read More]
- 12:02:15, Jun 9th 2013 - getthefacts - The problem here lies in the fact that girls were repeatedly told "if y ... [Read More]
- 10:45:32, Jun 7th 2013 - Jo mom for 6yrs - Mr. Ehler hit the nail on the head. I agree with the religious con ... [Read More]
- 2:47:58, Jun 7th 2013 - hello - Hello, it's time you wake up. There isn't a community nearby that doesn't offe ... [Read More]
- 9:06:21, Jun 6th 2013 - hello - Hello, it's time you wake up. There isn't a community nearby that doesn't offe ... [Read More]
- 2:05:29, Jun 6th 2013 - Kim Wentworth - The number one rule in a debate: 1) if the person from the opposite si ... [Read More]
- 12:42:18, Jun 4th 2013 - EW - For someone that is always spouting religious rhetoric, you try to come off as a ... [Read More]
- 11:32:18, May 31st 2013 - JO PLAYER - This is unfair to us girls. Morrie Miller is not getting canceled but J ... [Read More]
- 8:25:34, May 29th 2013 - RP - Why is Mr. Ehler involving himself with non-school activities? Is he going after ... [Read More]
How can I tell if my battery is good or bad?
Tue, Dec 28th, 2010
Posted in Ask the Expert
Posted in Ask the Expert
Comments
Steve Majerus
The condition of the cell plates inside the battery determines whether or not a battery is still serviceable. Current is produced when sulfuric acid in the battery reacts with lead in the cell plates. The sulfate is returned to solution when the alternator recharges the battery by forcing current to flow in the opposite direction.
As the battery discharges, sulfate accumulates on the plates and over time, some of the sulfate becomes permanently attached. The sulfate forms a barrier that diminishes the battery's ability to produce and store electricity. This process can be accelerated if the battery is run down frequently or is allowed to remain in a discharged state for more than a few days. Therefore, the battery won't accept a charge and will have to be replaced.
Average battery life is only about 4-5 years under the best of circumstances. The battery may become 'sulfated' prematurely if it is chronically undercharged from charging problems or short trip driving, or if the water level inside the battery drops below the top of the cell plates and allows the cell plates to dry out.
BATTERY TESTING: This is something you can't really do yourself, so you need to bring your vehicle to a service facility that has the proper test equipment. We have that equipment at Brown's Tire and would be happy to test your battery for you.
As the battery discharges, sulfate accumulates on the plates and over time, some of the sulfate becomes permanently attached. The sulfate forms a barrier that diminishes the battery's ability to produce and store electricity. This process can be accelerated if the battery is run down frequently or is allowed to remain in a discharged state for more than a few days. Therefore, the battery won't accept a charge and will have to be replaced.
Average battery life is only about 4-5 years under the best of circumstances. The battery may become 'sulfated' prematurely if it is chronically undercharged from charging problems or short trip driving, or if the water level inside the battery drops below the top of the cell plates and allows the cell plates to dry out.
BATTERY TESTING: This is something you can't really do yourself, so you need to bring your vehicle to a service facility that has the proper test equipment. We have that equipment at Brown's Tire and would be happy to test your battery for you.