More consumers are puzzled by the fact that their batteries only last between 9 to 18 months before dying. How is this so and why?

We must now look at 4 direct + 4 other indirect conditions that unfortunately shorten the service lifespan of a battery.

BATTERY FACT 101:

Car Power Consumption

Heavy accessory power when driving short distance prevents a periodic fully saturated charge that is so important for the longevity of a lead acid battery.

A study conducted by a German manufacturer of luxury cars revealed that of 400 car batteries returned under warranty, 200 were working well and had no problem. Low charge and acid stratification are the most common causes of apparent battery failure. The problem is now more common on large luxury cars offering power-hungry auxiliary options than on the more basic models.

In Japan, battery failure is the largest complaint among new car owners. The average car is only driven 15-30km per day and mostly in a congested city. As a result, the batteries will never get fully charged and sulphation occurs. The batteries in Japanese cars are usually small and only provide enough power to crank the engine and perform some rudimentary functions.

By looking at the above chart compiled through various vehicle samplings, we are able to see the huge current drawings from regular usage components when the car is in operation. The biggest power consumers are air-conditioning (AC) and High Intensity Discharge (HID) headlights which are factory fitted features on most car models found here.

We have not even considered other various aftermarket accessories commonly fitted by owners… ie. GPS, hi-fi head unit, amplifiers, DSP, subwoofers, decorative lights, sports gauges, phone chargers, multimedia modules, monitor screens, security systems, backup cameras/sensors etc.

With such additional electrical loads riding on the stock alternator, it is of little wonder why our batteries never receive a full charge during driving situations. This problem is unfortunately further compounded by the stop/go traffic conditions and short travelling distances.

The battery like it or not, is already experiencing sulphation now!

Acid stratification, a problem in all batteries…

A common cause of battery failure is acid stratification. The electrolyte on a stratified battery concentrates on the bottom, causing the upper half of the cell to be acid poor. This effect is similar to a cup of coffee in which the sugar collects on the bottom when the waitress forgets to bring the stirring spoon. Batteries tend to stratify if kept at low charge (below 80%) and never have the opportunity to receive a full charge. Short distance driving while running headlights and air-conditioning contributes to this. Acid stratification reduces the overall performance of the battery.

A normal battery in which the acid is equally distributed from top to bottom provides good performance because the correct acid concentration surrounds the plates. A stratified battery in which the acid concentration is light on top and heavy on the bottom limits plate activation, promotes corrosion and reduces performance. High acid concentration on the bottom artificially raises the open circuit voltage.

The battery appears fully charged but provides a low CCA. High acid concentration also promotes sulphation and decreases the already low conductivity further. Such a condition will eventually lead to permanent battery failure.

Normal battery The acid is equally distributed from the top to the bottom in the cell and provides maximum CCA and capacity.

Stratified & Sulphated battery The acid concentration is light on top and heavy on the bottom. High acid concentration artificially raises the open circuit voltage. The battery appears fully charged but has a low CCA. Excessive acid concentration induces sulphation on the lower half of the plates and spreads upwards to the top.

Lead Sulphation remains the only direct parameter which we have no control or solution over. Lead sulphation from acid stratification is also the main cause of battery failure leading to the popular belief that once unable to start a vehicle, the battery is deemed to be “Dead” and “Beyond Use” or “Junked”.

That is not the case in most situations.

With Nanopulser’s advanced technology, sulphation can be reversed and/or prevented on the host battery.