| Automotive Batteries |
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Test your battery on a regular basis, including when you have your car serviced, before long trips or after it's been recharged. |
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Maintain all areas/parts of your vehicle as directed in your owner's manual and/or by your mechanic. This will reduce the chance of other engine components draining power from your battery. It's not always the battery's fault when a car doesn't start, but often a symptom of other problems. |
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| Deep Cycle/Marine Batteries |
| Storing your battery for extended periods |
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Charge the battery until it is completely charged |
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Store it in a cold place but not where it will consistently go below 32°F |
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Check the battery every two months and recharge if necessary* |
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Remove all electrical connections from the battery including series/parallel connectors |
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| *A fully charged specific gravity of 1.265 corrected to 80°F is assumed. |
| Maintenance tips for extended battery life |
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Regularly clean the battery container and terminals |
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Make sure vent caps are tight to prevent water or baking soda from entering cells |
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Apply baking soda to any corrosion and rinse cover with water |
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Check your battery's electrolyte level before charging, it should be at the bottom of the vent splash band: |
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Electrolyte level low? Add distilled water to bring level to the bottom of the vent walls. |
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Distilled water not available? Use a good drinking water. It's better than adding nothing; otherwise the battery plate will dry out and the battery could lose its capacity. |
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| Recharging guidelines for maximum life |
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Recharge immediately after each use |
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Use battery charger matched to the battery's size |
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Do not overcharge; an automatic charger that turns off or on with a timer is your best bet |
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Always slow charge a deep cycle battery; never fast charge or boost charge it |
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A 10-12 hour charge with the appropriate charger at the correct amp rate will usually bring your battery to a full state of charge from a deep discharge |
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