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Julian
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From 2012, new EU regulations will not only reduce maximum levels of vehicle CO2 emissions across Europe to 130 g/km, but will also increase the demands on vehicle batteries. That’s because meeting this target is going to take more than just improved engine management – innovative battery technologies are absolutely key. Carmakers have not waited until now to meet these demands, they have been introducing the new technologies for a number of years in anticipation.
This makes the issue of hybrid technology more relevant than ever before. Car manufacturers use the term hybrid to emphasise the eco-friendly characteristics of their vehicles. There are various types of hybrid technology: Of these, Start-Stop is set to become the most important. Automatic Start-Stop vehicles are forecast to represent 70% of all vehicles produced in Europe by 2015. We already have millions of cars on our roads with Start-Stop technology. VW call their technology Blue Motion while BMW call it Efficient Dynamics, all other producers are building Start-Stop although they do not all have a special label. The technology they use is essentially the same.
With Start-Stop vehicles, the engine is switched off during short stops – for instance at traffic lights – in order to save fuel and reduce CO2 emissions by approximately 5 to 10%. But that is not all. Providing the batteries state of charge is sufficient, the alternator (this is what charges the battery) is also switched off. This means that the battery is now powering all electrical functions including braking, steering, climate control, safety systems, lights, entertainment to name a few.
Vehicles with automatic Start-Stop technology require specific Start-Stop batteries. The wrong battery not only impairs the Start-Stop function with environmental consequences, including an increase in fuel consumption of around 12%, but also reduces the service life of the battery itself dramatically. Tests have shown that conventional flooded batteries lose between 7 and 16% of their available capacity after just one week of being used in a Start-Stop vehicle. This means fitting the wrong battery could result in that battery failing (or being worn out) in two months.
You can identify the battery technology fitted to your car by looking for the following words on its label, VRLA or AGM or both or EFB. Also, as a rule of thumb, if your car is Stop-Start, you have one of these batteries and must use a similar battery at replacement time.
The Battery Guys are ready for this change, already stocking and supplying these revolutionary batteries to their customers. Should you wish to know more, or are unsure about what battery to order, contact us by email on info@thebatteryguys.co.uk or telephone us on 0845 302 3044
Happy motoring
Julian
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We have just endured one of the coldest winters on record. As with many car components, batteries do not perform at their best when cold. In fact, at zero, a battery can only provide 65% of the cold start performance it can provide at + 15c. If the battery is old and tired, and or not fully charged, then the performance drop is even greater. This is why batteries fail in cold conditions.
The weather also highlights how car batteries will have a much tougher time in the future, unless the correct technology is used when replacing a battery. Micro-hybrid technologies (such as stop-start, brake energy regeneration and alternator passive boost) is having a profound effect on the battery market.
It is expected that by 2015 65% of all new cars sold will be stop start. In a micro-hybrid system, the battery moves from its traditional role as a starter battery to an integral part of the vehicle. It needs to maintain all the electrical systems in the car when it is switched off, while coping with intermittent charging and deep cycling.
As ever, never choose a battery on price, first ensure the replacement battery is of the same technology and specification as the original, then consider price.
Types of Battery, News - Just In
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Just click on the link below or paste it into your browser to see a great short film on how a car battery works- great education!
There is a huge range of telecoms services available to businesses in the UK - so much so that choosing the right service can be a stressful process. It pays to do your homework before choosing an 08 number provider.
In this article we will concentrate on the 08 range allocated by OFCOM and look at the features and benefits of 0800, 0844 and 0845 numbers. All of the 08 range give businesses a national presence which means a customer would not be putting off calling the business because it was in a particular location. The 08 range are sold by a number of OFCOM authorised telecoms resellers such as DBS
0800 numbers
Sometimes referred to as freephone numbers. 0800 numbers are perhaps the most commonly recognised product in the 08 range. 0800 numbers are free to call from a standard BT landline so the appeal to customers is great for the simple reason that they don’t have to pay for the call
0845 numbers
These numbers have a “low call” tariff which is typically 3-5 pence each minute. These charges are on a par with making a local call for most customers - in other words call charges are not a deterrent. The owner of an 0845 usually has no call charges – it’s free for them to receive calls. 0845 numbers are therefore useful in keeping costs down.
0844 numbers
The 0844 range have higher call charges than 0845. In fact most 0844 number owners receive a rebate on incoming calls of around 1 penny per minute. Call charges when dialling an 0844 number are typically around the 5p per minute mark.
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STOP PRESS - Deka boat batteries are now in stock. Just visit our liesure and marine section to check out the Deka marine master prodcut range.
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DEKA RV DUAL PURPOSE DEEP CYCLE/STARTING BATTERIES are specially designed for the user who requires reliable starting and deep cycle service. These batteries are designed to handle both starting power and house power accessory loads. They provide ample cranking power for demanding starts and plenty of deep cycle power for all your creature comforts. The DEKA RV DUAL PURPOSE BATTERY is an ideal choice for the unique demands of starting service and deep cycling, low amp draw service.
Deep cycle service means that the battery bank is called upon to deliver power for auxiliary loads such as house power, auxiliary equipment, communications and many other types of electronic equipment typical of recreational vehicles (RVs). Unlike starting batteries, which deliver quick surges of power for engine cranking, deep cycle batteries deliver smaller amounts of current over much longer periods of time... from several hours to several days. Ordinary starting batteries quickly corrode internally in a discharged state, causing the plates to disintegrate prematurely. But DEKA RV DEEP CYCLE BATTERIES are specifically designed to withstand the long, deep discharges and long, slow recharges required by your RVs auxiliary appliances. And DEKA RV HEAVY-DUTY DEEP CYCLE BATTERIES have a high enough CCA rating for ample starting power, making them ideal for all your RV requirements.
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The Battery Guys have now become a supplier for the world renowned Deka batteries used in demanding situations where combinations of cranking and the running of a number of electrical systems is required. Deka is made by East Penn Manufacturing in Pennsylvania and The Battery Guys has stock available in the UK now.
Recreational vehicles require solid, reliable battery power for house power and other key-off accessory loads. Ordinary automotive batteries aren't designed to handle the deep-discharge accessory power your RV demands. To fully enjoy your travel you need batteries you can depend on...batteries that can power your kitchen appliances, TVs and refrigerators. Whatever living comforts your RV is equipped with, using Deka Marine Master/RV Batteries ensures you maximum power for all your RV equipment, truly making it your home sweet home. For more than fifty years, Deka batteries have set the standard for the absolute highest quality and most reliable performance in the industry.
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Stop Start technology is big news in the world of batteries. The fuel saving systems, BMW’s Efficient Dynamics system is a prime example, need batteries with much better charge acceptance than conventional lead-acid batteries to keep the cars starting up every time they stop and the engine cuts out, in an attempt to save fuel.
Depending on what type of driving you do, figures suggest stop-start systems can save up to 12% in fuel consumption, as well as lowering CO2 levels. In recent years 2.5 million cars with stop-start systems (also known as micro-hybrids) will have been built, including the latest BMWs. And that is expected to rise to 10 million by 2015.
“The AGM battery is an integrated component within the micro-hybrid battery management system”, says a spokesman of TAB Battery Manufacturing. “It also supports more advanced features such as regenerative braking, intelligent voltage control and alternator control through passive boost in some models,” he adds.
As ever, The Battery Guys, the number 1 source for batteries, are at the forefront of future developments, having stocked and sold these new technology batteries for some time.
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Car batteries can lose their charge for more than a few reasons. Leaving the lights on has to be number one. If you crank the engine and nothing happens, it means that the battery doesn't even have sufficient charge on it for a single start. Replace the battery and clean the battery connections to ensure good contact. If you can't replace it at that time of day and still need to get your car going, then you will have to jump-start it.
If your car's battery is around three years old, then chances are that it will be at the fag end of its lifecycle. Such batteries take longer than usual to recharge. When you are starting your car, from the small parking lights to the air-conditioning, must be switched off to reduce the load on the battery.
If your car comes with an automatic gearbox and refuses to crank up, chances are that it might be in some other mode than ‘P'. Press the brake and change into this mode if you have a problem. If your car has a manual gearbox, depress the clutch and start the engine. Some manufacturers such as Hyundai allow their cars to start when the clutch is depressed. This is a safety measure which ensures that you never start the car with the gear accidentally engaged, which could lead to the car jumping forward.
If the starter is still silent, it may mean a faulty ignition switch. Turn the key to the ‘on' position (not all the way to ‘start'). If the warning lamps on your dash don't light up (and your battery connections are clean), the ignition switch is bad. If they do light up, turn the key to the start position. The dash warning lights should turn off at this key position (in most cars). If you're not sure, turn on the headlights. When you try to start the car, the lights should either dim (a lot) or turn off completely. If they do, your ignition switch should be okay. If not, the switch will need replacement.
If your car's starter motor spins but the engine doesn't fire, then chances are that the spark plugs may be wet. Dry them and the leads with a water dispersant like WD40. Using a blow dryer to remove any dampness from them is also a smart move.
If the fuel pump is working properly and fuel is still not reaching the engine, the problem could be a clogged fuel filter. Ideally, you should replace the fuel filter every 10,000km or so.
Repeatedly cranking your car's engine puts considerable load on the battery and drains it. It's a good idea to give a 10-minute break before trying again.
Some owners run on bone-dry tanks. As a rule, keep at least five litres of fuel as reserve.
Check your car's battery first. If you live in a low-temperature area, chances are that the electrolyte solution inside the battery has frozen. Don't try to jump-start such a car. If there are cracks in the battery casing, don't try to jump-start it. Both ignitions should be off. Each battery has a positive (+) and a negative (-) terminal. The positive terminal usually has a cover and the negative usually an uncovered, plain black cable.
Connect the other end of the cables to your car's battery by installing the positive clamp onto the positive post of the dead battery. Make sure the clamps do not touch each other. Connect the negative clamp to a clean ground on the engine of the dead car or directly onto the negative battery post. Connecting the negative clamp onto the engine will reduce the possibility of a spark around the dead battery.
Start the car that is doing the jumping and let it charge your dead battery for five to 10 minutes. Then shut off its engine. Turn the key in the ignition to make sure you can start your car. Remove the negative clamp from the car providing the jump. Do not allow the clamps to touch. Remove the positive clamp from the same car. If the car still doesn't start, chances are that it's not going to.
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http://www.bbc.co.uk/weather/features/sport_leisure/drivingsnow_rac.shtml All included in the licence fee!
Simon
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If it’s going to drop below -10°C overnight take your battery out of the car and store it indoors. Very cold batteries have almost no power.
Good luck
Simon
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Extreme cold by itself will not cause battery failure. If the battery is discharged for any reason, such as the alternator did not fully charge the battery last time the engine was run, perhaps something was left ON last time the engine was running or possibly even the battery had an internal short, then another condition can enter into the situation. A battery cell can freeze and crack the case if the cell is allowed to completely discharge. Also, if the cell completely discharges then sits for a period of time, the plates in the cell can "sulphate", making them unable to ever take a charge again. The battery is nothing more than a storage device. It does not MAKE electricity; it only stores what was produced by the alternator. The battery will fail over time, typically a family car that is doing an average mileage and is well cared for should last around five years if of a decent build standard.
At the first sign of failure replace the battery.
Simon
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Now the really cold weather has arrived any car battery that has shown a sign of weakness in recent days is likely to fail. A really hard frost will finish off any life in the battery and there will be little chance of recovery, no matter what type of recharging regime you put it through. Do not get caught out in the snow in the middle of nowhere – change the battery as soon as you can. Call our hotline for help and advice.
Safe motoring
Simon
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