"What's Wrong With My Battery?" A Few Reasons Why Everyday Batteries Fail Us
Do you ever think about batteries? Probably not—until you need one. Like a car’s windshield wipers, most people only remember batteries when they need to be replaced or when they’re not working as well as they should. Batteries aren't always predictable. One day they can work well, and the next day the battery user notices a significant decline in performance.
The simple fact is that most people don't care for their batteries properly. Overall, batteries tend to function better overall when its application is accessible to a single user--i.e. cell phones, laptops, car batteries. When only one person is responsible for the longevity of the battery, they are more likely to adhere to proper maintenance guidelines.
That being said, many individual users make mistakes that strain both big and small batteries and impact their functionality over time. Generally, these issues occur more frequently with secondary (rechargeable) batteries versus primary (single-use) batteries.
Some of the ways battery users shorten their small battery life include:
Charging secondary batteries too frequently or overcharging. Rechargeable batteries are equipped with a set number of cycles in their life. Each time you plug in the battery to recharge, you're using a cycle in the battery's life. While many people think they're staying on top of the battery's performance by keeping it as close to 100% charged as possible, they're actually degrading the battery's longevity. Similarly, leaving a battery plugged in after it has fully charged can affect its lifespan. Many chargers cannot detect that a battery is fully charged and consequentially damage the battery.
Storing batteries at varying or extreme temperatures. High temperatures increase side reactions in batteries, and can cause an excess of hydrogen and oxygen escaping too quickly from the battery's seal that results in leakage or explosion. Storing batteries at very low temperatures slows the rate of chemical reactions within the battery. However, in order for the battery to reach the voltage necessary for its optimal performance, it must be brought back up to room temperature.
Using so-called "ultra-fast" charging devices. These devices charge the battery at a higher voltage, but shortens the lifespan of the battery because it uses multiple cycles and does not allow the battery to properly discharge. The optimal charging voltage for most Li-ion (most phone, laptop, tablet, etc.) batteries is 4.20Volts/cell. Anything higher effectively increases the cycle but lowers the capacity. Despite their undeniable convenience, be wary of lighting-speed chargers. As with many things, if it seems to good to be true, it it likely is.
Car batteries also cause thousands of users headaches each year. According to a study by ADAC in 2008 for the year 2007, car battery fault leaves more drivers with a broken-down car than any other vehicular fault--including flat tires.
Heavy accessory use during a short-distance trip prevents the battery's access to a full charge. Since the car's engine charges the battery, blasting the heat, using the stereo, needing the windshield wipers, all negatively affect the battery's power. Lead-acid batteries stand up well to cold and heat variances, but trade off with charging capacity compared to other secondary batteries. When the engine is off, the lead-acid battery is kept at a low charge and has to put its limited energy into powering the accessories instead of self-charging.
Also, the lead-acid batteries used in cars are prone to stratification within their cell in this scenario. When the battery is not in use, the acid settles at the bottom of the cell, much like unstirred oil and vinegar salad dressing. Stratification artificially makes the battery appear fully charged by increasing the circuit voltage, but the cold-cranking amperage (CCA) isn't there to power the battery properly. Stratification decreases the cell's conductivity and is the primary cause of battery failure.
Age of the battery of course factors into how well it will function. Generally, a battery should last about three years for the average driver; however, that is a rough estimate due to individual driving habits.
Car batteries can be easily tested for CCA output and voltage easily by most major auto part stores. Low level results for either indicate your car battery needs to be replaced; however, testing for battery capacity is much more difficult and expensive for the average driver to obtain. Because of this, basic battery testing can be unreliable. The battery user's best bet is to be aware of how their vehicle use could affect the battery's function to keep their car on the road.
Comments