Automotive & Inverter Battery FAQs

Before you set out to buy automotive batteries, try to familiarize yourself with ratings like CCA, CA, etc. as they are used as benchmarks to compare different batteries. So, let’s get to understanding the implication of these terms on your brand-new battery.

CCA stands for cold cranking amps. It is a unit that is used to measure the capacity of the battery to supply power during the cold weather. Generally, four-wheeler batteries have a CCA rating of 400-750 amps. When the temperature drops, the battery’s ability to generate electricity declines.

Therefore, if you live in cold regions, it is crucial for you to take the CCA rating into consideration. A higher CCA implies a stronger ability to generate power in low temperatures. However, it does not always mean that the overall quality of the battery is better. Sometimes, automotive companies compromise on other significant features to increase the CCA ratings to lure consumers. Tata Green Batteries are a 100% genuine and technologically designed to withstand extreme weather conditions.

On an average, four-wheeler batteries last for about three to five years. But the maintenance regime followed by the user truly dictates the lifespan of all automotive batteries. That is why some batteries face premature failure. If your battery died sooner than expected, it could probably be due to one of the following reasons:

1. 1) Extreme weather conditions – Batteries operate best in moderate temperatures. Frequent exposure to excessive heat or cold can severely damage the batteries.
2. 2) Short journeys Short trips prevent your battery from getting fully charged. If you continue this, you’re setting it up for a battery failure.
3. 3) Faulty charging – The battery must be charged at optimum level, as specified by the manufacturer. Both overcharging and undercharging harm the batteries.
4. 4) Incorrect battery type – Each vehicle has unique requirements with respect to the battery. You should only use a manufacturer recommended battery.
5. 5) Maintenance – One must clean the batteries regularly to ensure a long lifespan. If the battery’s terminals are not cleaned, corrosion will quickly destroy the battery.

We suggest that you be mindful of the abovementioned points to extend your battery’s life.

Overcharging your battery is one of the most common problems people encounter. An overcharge occurs when charging exceeds the time necessary to fully charge the battery. It results in the corrosion of the positive material and causes the grids to fracture thus reducing the ability of a battery to carry the starting current.

Here are a few familiar causes for overcharging of batteries:

1. 1) A voltage regulator is used to maintain a steady flow of voltage to the battery. If the voltage regulator is defective, it will send either too little or too much charge to the battery.
2. 2) The alternator is the device that converts the mechanical power of the engine into electrical power to charge the battery. If the wrong alternator is placed in the car, it will create too much energy for the battery, resulting in an overcharge.
3. 3) Faulty chargers are another reason. Their settings may be wired incorrectly, or the charges are labelled incorrectly.
4. 4) The extreme summer heat can drastically harm your automobile battery. This can only be avoided by parking the vehicle under a shade.

Overcharging of the battery can significantly decrease its lifespan, lower its efficiency, and in extreme cases, can even lead to battery explosion. So, one should always keep in mind the abovementioned causes and avoid them.

Battery sulfation is the process of lead sulphate crystals appearing on a lead acid battery. It results from prolonged periods of battery inactivity, where the charge level gradually decays or from chronic undercharging. It can damage a battery to the point where it will no longer take charge and provide energy.

Here are some effects of sulfation on your batteries:

1. 1) Longer charging periods
2. 2) Excessive heat build-up
3. 3) Shorter running times between charges
4. 4) Dramatically shorter battery life
5. 5) Complete battery failure

Well, here are a few tips to prevent your batteries from sulfation:

1. 1) Charge your lead acid battery regularly to a full charge whenever possible.
2. 2) Disconnect the battery when not in use.
3. 3) Periodic recharging of the battery effectively prevents sulfation.
4. 4) One can also depend upon anti-sulfation mechanisms called battery conditioners that send pulses to the battery terminals. In most cases, this will delay the development of the chemical reaction on a healthy battery, but the units cannot dissolve the condition once it begins.

An undercharge is a condition that occurs when the battery is not allowed to return to a full charge after it has been used. If you do this continuously, or even just store the battery with a partial charge, it can cause sulphating. The longer the battery stays undercharged, the greater the damage.

The following are the reasons your car battery receives a low charge:

1. 1) The drive belt can be loose
2. 2) Voltage drop in the charging system wiring
3. 3) Faulty regulator or worn brushes in the alternator
4. 4) High resistance in the rotor
5. 5) Open or shorted diodes
6. 6) Open or shorted stator windings

You can prevent this from happening by fully recharging the battery after use and before storing it or topping off the charge every few weeks if the battery will be stored for a long period of time.

Using an undersized car battery can lead to starting problems. Batteries come rated by their life expectancy as well as their CCAs (cold cranking amps). A battery’s CCA defines its ability to start the engine during cold weather. Plus, an undersized battery may not have enough fluid to power your car’s accessories, particularly while your vehicle is turned off. Regular short trips take an even larger toll on small batteries. Instead of carrying a share of the load, the battery is constantly drawing a charge. This might lead to alternator overheating and prolonged damage. Several problems can occur from using a battery that is larger than your vehicle’s battery compartment as well. As manufacturers, we precisely match the alternators and batteries to the vehicle’s power requirements. A mismatched battery-alternator combo could make your alternator overheat and shorten its lifespan.

There are various kinds of automotive batteries available in the market. Each has a unique set of features that caters to specific requirements. Thus, it is crucial for you to select the right type of battery that is suitable for your vehicle. Now, the types of automotive batteries are bifurcated as follows:

Starting, lighting and ignition batteries (SLI)- These are widely used high-performance batteries as they have a considerably short charge cycle. SLI batteries are considered most effective especially when they have to operate in short bursts of time.

Lead acid batteries- These batteries are popularly used in automobiles in India. They are low-maintenance batteries which need to be replaced every few years. Lead acid batteries are broadly divided into two types – Absorption glass mat batteries (AGM) and gel cell batteries.

Lithium ion batteries- Lithium ion batteries are commonly used in electric cars as they have a high capacity to store ample amounts of charge. However, they are not as durable as lead acid batteries.
We hope this information makes it easier for you to buy automotive batteries.

We understand and know that deep cycle batteries look a lot like car batteries to people who aren’t familiar with them, but in reality, they’re quite different.

A deep cycle battery is a lead battery designed to provide sustained power over a long period and run until it is 80% discharged or more, at which point it needs to be recharged. It is important to note that although deep cycle batteries can be discharged up to 80%, we recommend not discharging below 45% to increase the life of the battery. The level of discharge is the “deep cycle” and lasts in contrast to other types of batteries that store only short bursts of energy before they demand to be recharged.

Deep cycle batteries are used in recreational vehicles (RVs) and boats. These are also common in golf carts, large solar power systems and in marine applications and materials handling, including forklifts.

When it comes to batteries, installing and removing it from its cradle is one of those technical skills you must know. We have broken down the process in simple steps that are easy to follow:

1. Step 1 –Open the hood of your car and locate the battery. Now spot the positive and the negative terminals on it.
2. Step 2 – Unclamp the negative terminal first and then the positive terminal from your four-wheeler battery. You may also use a terminal puller to do the same.
3. Sep 3 – Now carefully remove the battery from its tray.
4. Step 4 – Clean the battery tray and replace it with the new car battery.
5. Step 5 – Remove the caps on the battery posts. To prevent corrosion, apply petroleum jelly around it.
6. Step 6 – Connect the positive terminal first and then the negative terminal. Check to see if the cables are tightly fixed.

You may also choose to utilize the installation services provided by us.

Battery corrosion is one of the most common problems faced by automotive users. More often than not, it is the reason car batteries break down sooner than expected. However, a few simple steps can help you to prevent this situation:

Maintain a regular charge in your vehicle – Corrosion is caused mainly due to a disbalance in the level of charge. Especially if your four-wheeler battery is overcharged, it’s only a matter of time before those corrosive powders settle down. Also, batteries for cars need to be charged regularly. So, whenever you plan on leaving the vehicle unused for a long time, remember to charge it as deep discharging is detrimental to the batteries.

Clean the battery terminals – This is the most important step to prevent or even get rid of corrosion. You need to schedule a regular cleaning of your battery terminals. While cleaning, make sure you apply anti-corrosion gels, petroleum jelly, or a AMSOIL heavy-duty metal protector. If your batteries are already corroded, do not worry as anti-corrosion washers can save your batteries.

Batteries bring an automobile to life. Hence, it needs your utmost attention and care, more than any other component. So, you must do every possible thing to protect it and extend its lifespan. Here are a few ways in which you can ensure that your automobile’s battery lasts longer:

1. 1) Regular cleaning – Cleaning your lead acid battery terminals thoroughly and regularly will help in preventing corrosion. This will keep your batteries running smoothly.
2. 2) Protect it from extreme weather conditions – Automobile batteries are severely affected by extreme hot and cold weather. So, try to cover your car whenever you park it.
3. 3) Check the electronics – Every time you leave the car, make sure you’ve turned off all the electronics like headlights, aux cable, and the air conditioner. Avoid unnecessary consumption of battery power.
4. 4) Limit short rides – Drive your vehicle regularly for longer distances. Cut down on short trips as they do not let you recharge the batteries. Also, avoid letting the car sit idle for long as it discharges the battery.

These are a few habits that you can inculcate to extend your battery’s lifespan.

If you find a yellow, white or green powder-like substance on your batteries, it’s a sign that your battery needs some deep cleaning. Those coloured powders are the first indicators of corrosion. It’s better to clean them before they stick to the batteries permanently and disrupt their working.
Here are a few simple steps that you can follow while cleaning your battery terminals:

1. 1) Open the hood of your vehicle and locate the battery. Then spot the positive and negative terminals on it. Carefully unclamp the negative terminal first and then the positive one.
2. 2) You can either use a commercial cleaning agent or make one at home. Just mix together baking powder and water and use a brush to scrub the terminals. Then, rinse it with water.
3. 3) Use a dry cotton cloth to wipe off the water from the battery. Now, apply a little petroleum jelly on the terminals. You can now reconnect the battery in the same way.

Keeping your battery terminals clean do not only prevent corrosion but also helps to maintain its battery life.

The only way to check the performance of a battery is to test it. As automotive battery manufacturers in India, we suggest that you proactively test it twice a year. This will help reduce the chances of a battery failure.

Here are a few methods to test your automotive battery:

1. 1) Check the battery with a voltmeter –
   • a) Turn off the ignition.
   • b) Remove the battery’s positive terminal cover.
   • c) Connect your voltmeter’s positive lead to the positive terminal on your battery.
   • d) Attach the negative voltmeter lead to the negative battery terminal.
   • e) Check the voltmeter. The voltage of a good condition battery should be between 12.4 and 12.7 volts. A reading lower than 12.4 volts means that your battery needs to be charged. If the reading is over 12.9 volts it indicates excessive voltage.
2. 2) Check the battery with a power probe –
   • a) Take off the battery’s positive terminal cover.
   • b) Next, connect the probe’s connective leads – positive to positive and negative to negative.
   • c) Once you’re done, it will immediately show whether or not the battery is in a good condition.
3. 3) Perform a load test –
   • a) To pass a load test, the battery must maintain 9.6 volts at 15 seconds when tested at one-half the CCA rating and 70°F (or above).
   • b) This test must be performed with a true load and not with a hand-held tester that works off a conductance algorithm.
   • c) The test must be run with the battery in a high state of charge.

As automotive battery manufacturers in India, we understand that hot weather conditions are more detrimental to your car than cold weather conditions.

And here’s why:

1. 1) Evaporation – Automotive batteries can reach internal temperatures of 140 degrees or higher. This causes the battery fluid to evaporate, thus damaging its internal structure.
2. 2) Overcharging – Extreme heat can also cause the voltage regulator or other charging system components to malfunction and overcharge the battery. This leads to a slow but unavoidable death of your battery.
3. 3) Corrosion – Extreme temperatures cause the lead plates inside the battery to corrode and deteriorate.

The lifespan of a battery is also affected. Battery tests have shown that for every 15°F, the ambient temperature rises and cuts the lifespan of a battery approximately in half.

Here are a few tips to keep your battery safe and ready for summers –

1. 1) Keep the battery charged and in a cool location.
2. 2) Park your car in a garage.
3. 3) Avoid charging things like cell phones through your automobile.
4. 4) Keep the battery clean. Extreme dirt can drain battery power.

In winter, it is very common to enter your car and hear nothing when you turn on the ignition. This is because the cold weather can take a toll on your car batteries. When the temperature drops, the amount of electric current produced declines as the chemical reaction slows down. Therefore, the battery takes longer to start the car. Another reason is that during the winter, the fluids in the battery become thick. As a result, your car keeps cranking but won’t start. You can avoid this situation by taking a few simple steps like parking your car in a garage, covering the bonnet with a thick cloth, and getting your four-wheeler battery checked for fluid levels before the winter months arrive.