What would our cars do without our beloved car batteries? Unfortunately not a lot.
But what exactly does a car battery do, and how does it go about
making sure we get from A to B, trouble free? This article will provide
you with everything you need to know about this remarkable piece of
automotive equipment, what it does and why it’s so important to your
vehicle.
As the principal energy source for your starter motor and ignition
system, without a battery, or with a flat one, your car simply won’t
start. But the battery is more than just a means of getting you going,
it also provides the necessary power to run your vehicle’s accessories,
such as its lights, windscreen wipers, stereo and more. But creating
this essential electricity is no mean feat. The car battery is unique.
It isn’t just providing the right amount of juice to get your engine
started, once the engine itself is running, the battery then performs a
separate, and equally important function. Through an incredible
process involving reversible chemical reactions, the battery both
creates and accrues electricity, meaning it charges itself. Inside the
battery, there are six cells. These cells are made up of metallic
plates, which form two separate grids, one positive and one negative.
The positive grid carries current in, while the negative grid releases
current. The plates themselves are soaking in a mix of water and
sulphuric acid. Because of the latter ingredient, you should never take a
battery apart or attempt to make or fix one on your own. Always deal
with a trained professional. At Kmart car repairs,
an expert team of technicians are always on hand to give you the best
advice on everything to do with car batteries, including choosing the
right battery to suit you and your vehicle. The powerful chemicals
within the battery create the required electricity. And, as this
electricity is used and the battery discharges, the water and acid mix
create electrons, which provide additional electricity for your
vehicle. To recharge itself, the battery reverses the chemical process
used to fire up the starter motor in the first place, with electricity
generated from the cars alternator. The alternator is the piece of
equipment that keeps all of your car’s accessories full of electricity
while the car itself is running. This helps to explain why, if you
leave the lights on, the battery will go dead. Without the car running,
and the alternator sending current back into the battery, the chemical
reactions are only moving in one direction, and therefore no current
is being sent back into the battery.
There are many factors to consider when selecting a battery for your
vehicle; these include how often you’ll use the vehicle, your driving
habits, the environmental conditions you’ll be driving in, and any
accessories that your battery may need supply power to. Every one of
these factors will have a direct impact on your battery’s life, and its
ability to work effectively in your vehicle. The team at Kmart are
always happy to take a look at your battery, and ensure that it’s
working just the way it should be.
