11/07/2018
CAR BATTERY DRAIN: CAUSES AND SOLUTIONS
****************************************
Saying “good night” to your beloved car in the previous evening and you could not start it the next day? Read on to find out the causes and solutions of car battery drain.
Saying “good night” to your beloved car in the previous evening and you could not start it the next day? It’s likely a symptom of car battery drain. Loss of battery charge may be caused by certain reasons and today, Naijauto.com will introduce four of them.
1. PARASITIC DRAIN
You might not know that security alarms/clocks or radio presets running after the engine stops can drain your battery. This kind of drain is dubbed parasitic drain. Any parasitic drain over 75mA will speedily drain the battery of your vehicle.
You might not know that security alarms/clocks or radio presets running after the engine stops can drain your battery
Main sinners of parasitic drain are under headlamps, trunk and hood lights or glove box lights that do not turn off when you close the door. Besides, relay switches stuck in “on” position is also a common cause.
2. MALFUNCTIONING CHARGING SYSTEM*****
An unreliable or broken charging system can easily drain your battery when the car is moving. The drain process may occur more quickly if an alternator does not deliver enough voltage, which is normally between 13.5 – 14.5V.
An unreliable or broken charging system can easily drain your battery when the car is moving
It’s completely true when you turn the radio and lights on while on the move. As soon as the battery totally drains, those devices will stop working. Unless you have your battery charged, the car would not start again.
3. BAD ALTERNATOR DIODE
An alternator with a good diode keeps current flowing in one direction. One with a bad diode, on the other hand, makes the current run in the opposite direction. As a result, this might keep the charging circuit on even when your car has stopped, then leading to car battery drain.
An alternator with a good diode keeps current flowing in one direction
4. OLD BATTERY
Old and drained battery is not able to hold a full charge any longer. As recommended by car experts, the battery needs replacing every 4 – 5 years. Nevertheless, if it is well maintained, it can last longer. What’s more, it’s required checking batteries which have just woken up after long hibernation.
How to check for and fix a battery drain in your car
Turn off all of the interior lights when you get out of the car and never leave the radio on while not on the move.
Since an unclean battery can result in drainage, clean it just by using a dry rag to wipe off any residue or dirt near the terminals and connection areas. Further, look over the cable connection to make sure that they’re clean and tightened. A grimy or lose connection can provoke many battery problems, including battery drain.
Test the battery’s wattage and charge it up if you find it below performance level with a volt meter or a portable battery charger which can be had at a local repair shop.
Take your vehicle to car maintenance center if the battery still works improperly or if you get into trouble with the engine turning over. Make sure that you know car battery drain causes before deciding to have it replaced,
WhatsApp Messenger: More than 1 billion people in over 180 countries use WhatsApp to stay in touch with friends and family, anytime and anywhere. WhatsApp is free and offers simple, secure, reliable messaging and calling, available on phones all over the world.
