Installing a battery in a car is a simple matter. It is enough to know a certain number of nuances to cope with this even for a beginner.
Before installing new battery, make sure it fits. In the documents for the car you can find all the necessary information. Namely, what should be the capacitance, polarity, configuration, mounting method and size of the current collector elements. Failure to comply with the declared characteristics leads to rapid wear of the starter and the battery itself. If an old battery is installed, then you need to pay attention to its external condition. It should be cleaned of dust and dirt, if there are oxides on the terminals or contacts, they should be removed. Also, wipe the battery case itself from dust with a rag with soda water or an aqueous solution of ammonia. When cleaning, also inspect the housing for integrity and check if the gas outlet holes are dirty.
Do not forget that the battery in the car is not an additional, but the main source of energy. Therefore, carefully follow the instructions when installing and operating the battery.
For professional drivers this article + video may seem elementary, but for beginners it raises a lot of questions. Namely - how to properly remove the battery from the car, what problems can arise during this process? How to do it correctly so as not to burn the car's electrics or even, worse, not bring it to a fire. Mostly beginners write, especially girls. Such questions (as I think) need to be answered, because all of us once were like that. So today detailed instructions+ video version...
First of all, it is worth remembering that the battery, although it has a low voltage (only 12.7V), but the current strength in it is at a fairly high level, even the most simple battery can produce from 50A per hour, however, there are more powerful options, so on trucks diesel vehicles in particular, KAMAZ, MAZ and others can often use 190Ah batteries (usually two of them). And, they can reach up to 500 - 1000 amperes!
Why remove the battery at all?
There are a lot of reasons for this, so I want to break it down into points:
- This is probably the most common. When the battery is “dead” (the engine “does not turn”), this does not yet mean replacing it. To begin with, we need to recharge it, and for this we carry it either home, or to the garage, or to specially trained people. That's why it needs to be removed from the car.
- Storage. Many of us, especially newbies, don't drive winter period time, cars are parked for months. Some do not remove batteries at all, others, others remove the battery and carry it home. At home, it is easier to store it, track its charge and recharge it in a timely manner.
- Service. If you have a serviceable battery, you need to check the electrolyte level on it, add distilled water to the jars, measure the density, and charge if necessary. Of course, you can do all this right in the engine compartment, but it is better to remove the battery and service it in a special place to prevent electrolyte spillage.
- Replacement. When the battery fails, for example -, then it is very difficult (almost impossible) to restore it, you need to buy a new one. And in order to change, first remove the battery.
Of course, there are a number of other reasons - for example, the replacement of any engine units (banal pillows) or the removal of body parts, but they appear less frequently. Therefore, the first 4 points are the most common.
A few words about the electrics of the car and the computer
Before removing the battery from the machine, you need to read the instruction manual or "operator's manual". It often indicates exactly how to dismantle the battery. The point here is, expensive cars, elite class, such as say Infinity or Lexus, removing the battery just like that is not recommended. They have several ECUs that control certain functions of the car, often this is an audio system or some kind of ancillary. If you disconnect the battery, the settings in the sub-ECU may be lost, so it is recommended to disconnect it at the station official dealer. When after servicing your battery, can restore the settings. However, these machines have strict recommendations in the "operating manual".
In other cars, there are special toggle switches that turn off the power system before removing the battery - ALSO RECOMMENDED TO USE THEM!
If we take 80% of the remaining cars, then removing the battery is really simple (I would even say elementary). A large number of machines have only one computer and it contains basic settings that do not go astray when the power is turned off. However, only the clock, radio station settings, and the equalizer will go wrong, but all this is set up in a couple of minutes. Therefore, 80% of the machines do not require any special skills, remove your battery as much as you like.
There are also “tales” that it is possible to remove the battery from the car, this has a bad effect on the electrician, in particular on the “wiring”. How and in what way is not indicated! Let's think logically - if you disconnect the batteries in a flashlight, it immediately breaks down - OF COURSE NOT! Put in new ones and it will again shine as before, also with a battery. Oh, I don’t know where these rumors come from, but then again - In 80% of cases, nothing terrible will happen.
Battery Removal Precautions
If you remove the battery with your own hands, you should follow some rules:
- From time to time, the terminals can “oxidize”, in order to unscrew them, some hit them with a key or other tool. IT IS STRICTLY FORBIDDEN TO DO THIS! You can simply break them, or the plates INSIDE will fall off of them, which will lead to battery failure.
- After removal - you can not throw, kick, throw, hit the battery. Any damage can lead to electrolyte leakage or damage to the active mass (plates)
- Cannot be placed on its side or upside down. Either leaks of electrochemical liquid, as well as short circuits are possible
- It is not recommended to drain the electrolyte from the cans. It consists of sulfuric acid (35%) and distilled water (35%) and may cause burns if it comes into contact with skin or clothing. So you need to do this in special protected places.
- Add acid or electrolyte. It is forbidden! Unless, of course, you are doing any restoration work. This will unnecessarily increase the density, which can lead to . Only distilled water is added.
- It is not recommended to store a fully discharged battery in the cold. It is trite, which in 50% of cases will lead to shedding of the active mass.
Remember this and keep it! I especially draw attention to the fact that you can’t turn the batteries over, after you’ve removed it, put it carefully on the ground and don’t throw it away.
Do-it-yourself dismantling - sequence of actions
Before dismantling, you need to open the hood and see how your battery is fixed. Usually it is fastened with a special bracket or coupler (sometimes even with a plate) so that it does not jump around the engine compartment. To remove this screed, we look at how it is attached - usually the nut is at “10”, but it can also be at “12” - “13”.
There are batteries that are not mounted in the engine compartment, but under the car seat, again on elite cars, where they are usually dismantled to remove them. front seat, driver.
Thus, before dismantling, we stock up on keys in "8" - "10", as well as "12" - "13". It is also worth taking gloves, at least "rag" so as not to get your hands dirty.
Let's move on to removing the battery:
- Opening the hood
- We remove the noise insulation of the battery or fabric protection. Happens on some cars.
- Remove the negative terminal! It is indicated by a "minus" on the battery case. Why is it necessary to shoot her first? In principle, it doesn’t matter for the battery what to remove first, however, the “negative” one is screwed to the car body. If you first remove the “positive” terminal and accidentally touch the metal element of the body with the key (which is located on the “plus” nut), a STRONG SHORT WILL OCCUR! Therefore, first of all, we de-energize the body (remove the “minus”), and after that we remove the “plus”.
- We dismantle the fasteners that hold the battery. As I wrote, it can be a bar through the entire battery, or maybe just a plate at the bottom.
- We take it out of the seat.
Actually, this is all, as you can see, nothing terrible, elementary actions.
About the running engine and battery
Remove the battery from the car - NEEDED ON THE STOPPED ENGINE! It is impossible for the manufacturer to dismantle the process when the engine is running, especially at modern machines. There are several reasons here:
- Engine running charging in progress from the generator. And if you remove the battery, the positive terminal can get on the car body, a short circuit will occur - it is possible to burn the generator, wiring, and just your car.
Car batteries have to be changed periodically, but this procedure does not require a mandatory visit to the service station. After all, the process of replacing the battery is quite simple and may well be carried out by the car owner on his own.
First you need to find out which of the terminals is positive and which is negative. There is a marking on the battery for this. The color of the wires will help too. Black is "minus", and red - "plus". Black should be removed first. negative the wire. After all, it is connected to the "mass" of the car, that is, to its body, because its deactivation eliminates the risk of a short circuit.
Using a 10 wrench, loosen the nut of the clamping bolt of the terminal, and then shake the terminal from side to side. It should come off the negative battery terminal.
Machine battery replacement technology
After purchasing a new battery, you need to install it in a regular place in the car. Experienced car owners know where the battery is located and how it is attached to the car body. For beginners, it is better to read the operating manual of the machine in order to quickly determine these nuances.
Required tool.
Tools must be prepared before all work begins. Although dismantling an old battery is not a difficult operation, it will not be successful without a tool. Most often, this will require a pair of wrenches: 10 open-end wrenches, as well as 13 end-type wrenches with a knob. But it is better to look at the connection of the battery or in the manual. It is possible that on a particular model, the battery terminals and the battery itself are attached using other bolts and nuts.
Locating the Battery
Then you can open the hood and find the battery under it. Most often it is installed on a special shelf in the left or right corner of the engine compartment. If the battery is not found, then you should look better. But maybe it really is not under the hood. Sometimes, saving space, manufacturers mount the battery under the seats, in the trunk and other places. The owner's manual will help again.
Safety precautions when connecting the battery
So, the battery is found, and the tool is ready. But it is necessary to remember every minute about safety, personal and automotive electrical appliances. The ignition key must be moved to the zero position or simply removed from the lock.
External inspection of the installed battery
An old battery can be damaged, so there is a risk of burns. After all, battery electrolyte is nothing more than dilute sulfuric acid. Therefore, if there are cracks on the battery, no plugs, leaks on the surface of the battery, it is better to wear thick rubber gloves.
Disconnecting the terminals from the battery
Removing the battery
To remove the battery, you must remove its fasteners. Most often, it is held on a special shelf with a pressure plate on a pair of tie bolts. To unscrew them, you need a socket wrench. Although sometimes a cap will help. It must be remembered that the battery is heavy (14-17 kg), so the removal is carried out with caution.
Installing a new battery.
Remove accumulated dirt and other debris from the shelf, and then clean the inner planes of the wire lugs with fine-grained sandpaper. By ensuring excellent contact with the terminals, a lot of future problems can be solved in one fell swoop. Some motorists prefer to treat the wires with a water-repellent mixture.
Before installing a new battery, clean its terminals as well. The new battery must be installed in the same way as the old one. Next, put on the pressure plate, and then tighten the pressure bolts. In this case, you should not pinch them excessively, because you can damage the battery.
Connecting a new battery to a car
When connecting, follow the reverse sequence of actions. First connect the "positive" wire, and then the "negative".
It is worth noting that manufacturers specifically draw battery conclusions of different diameters. This prevents accidental reversal of the poles. As a result, the terminals are simply not put on and are not fixed on the wrong conclusions.
With these simple steps, you can replace the old battery with a new one.
May 27, 2017
The interaction of components in the car provides the driver and his passengers with comfort and safety. But if something breaks down, the car needs professional help.
The battery in the car is of great importance, allowing the car to move on the road at night, illuminating the roadway in front. In addition to lighting and signaling to other participants traffic The battery performs other functions - for example, starts the engine. Of course, such a demand for the electrical element in question leads to the need to replace the battery. And although it is not necessary to go to the station to replace Maintenance, it is worth following a clear sequence of steps.
How to properly remove the battery?
Before disconnecting the battery, you will need to take precautions. It is worth knowing that the battery in a car contains an amount of energy that can cause fatal injury to a person! Moreover, the battery contains corrosive substances that can produce flammable gas.
If you want to understand the question of how to properly remove the battery from the car, prepare necessary tools and materials. For work you will need: a wrench extension, a set of nozzles, goggles and gloves, an old toothbrush, a pallet, clamps, water and baking soda. Before starting work, turn off the ignition, put on goggles and gloves to protect your eyes and hands.
- First you need to find the negative terminal on the battery, often highlighted by the black finish. Often the negative terminal is indicated by the sign "-". Accordingly, the positive terminal is indicated by the symbol "+"
- Decide which nozzle you need. Size matters if you need to unscrew the nut from the negative terminal. Disconnect the negative terminal first.
- Take the nozzle, substitute it to the nut located next to the negative terminal. Estimate the size of the tool for loosening the nut. The nozzle is put on the key, which may require a key extension
- Turn the key counterclockwise. Disconnect the negative wire so that it does not touch the terminal
- Similar actions are performed with the nut on the positive terminal. After disconnecting the positive wire from the terminal, do not allow its bare end to come into contact with the metal surfaces of the car.
- After disconnecting the battery power, disconnect the mount, and then lift the battery out of the compartment. Take care of third-party help first, as the battery weighs up to 20 kilograms
- Clean the compartment with a toothbrush and baking soda, then let the space dry
After completing the above steps, you can proceed with the installation of a new unit and the subsequent connection of the battery.
How to connect a new battery?
Now consider how to properly connect the battery in the car. Make proper preparations before starting installation. Remove dirt, dust and other debris from the corresponding connector, then clean the inner planes of the wire lugs with fine-grained sandpaper.
Before installing a new battery pack you need to clean the terminals. The sequence of installing a new battery is no different from installing the old unit. Put on the clamp plate, and then tighten the clamp bolts. Perform the work carefully so as not to harm the integrity of the product. To connect the battery, use the following algorithm:
- Follow the reverse sequence of installation steps battery. Connect the "+" wire to the corresponding terminal first, and then connect the "-" wire to the negative terminal.
- For safety reasons, some manufacturers make leads of different diameters, thereby preventing accidental confusion when connecting wires to the terminals.
- Tighten the mounting nuts firmly using a wrench.
It is most often necessary to install a new battery pack due to the exhausted resource of the old one. If you are not sure about own forces and skills in working with the tool, use the support of the technical center staff.
Work in an open space, as gases do not accumulate outside. It is advisable to remove jewelry, including rings and bracelets for hands. Use individual funds protection - dielectric gloves and goggles. Wires should be placed as far as possible from the battery. This is necessary in order to prevent wires from getting on the terminals and metal parts of the car.
Note that after disconnecting the wire from the positive terminal, residual current can harm the car's electrics if the wire touches the metal surface of the body. It can also cause a short circuit.
Remember that standard car batteries are capable of generating up to hundreds of amperes of current, which is equivalent to charging a welding machine.
Batteries in hybrid cars can produce 300 volts of energy, and this indicates a current that is dangerous to human life and health. Wiring is often differentiated by color. You can reduce the chance of electric shock by using gloves and insulated tools.
What is highly undesirable to do?
Adhere to certain security measures to protect yourself from possible troubles, financial waste. Do not take actions that could damage the battery case. Do not tilt or overturn the battery. Also, do not damage the filler plugs, necks.
Do not add acid or store a discharged battery, especially at sub-zero temperatures. By damaging the contacts, you run the risk of incurring additional costs by disabling the equipment. Be careful while removing and connecting the battery in the car.
After buying a new battery for a car, the owner has many questions regarding charging time and operating conditions. In some cases, motorists do not know how to prepare a source for work electric current Is there even a need for such an event? In this article, we will talk about whether you need to charge a new car battery, how long it takes for a full charge, and give operating recommendations that will help extend battery life.
Experts agree that even a new battery must be charged. In most cases, the battery lies in the manufacturer's or seller's warehouse for a long time, which leads to a natural decrease in its capacity. In order not to be mistaken, it is better to check with the seller the date of manufacture of the battery and, based on the information received, decide whether to charge the battery or not.
There is an opinion that modern technologies battery production allow minimizing self-discharge. This statement is relevant only if the storage conditions are observed in the warehouse. The following factors can affect the degree of self-discharge:
- air temperature in the room (norm 5-20 0 C);
- air humidity;
- the presence or absence of dust and dirt.
If the first parameter in warehouses is more or less observed, then few people monitor air humidity and dust. As a result, after 2 months, the loss of battery capacity can reach 20-40%.
As you can see, the question of whether to charge a new battery or not disappears. It is better to play it safe and charge it, even if the seller swears that the goods are fresh from the factory.
How to charge a new car battery correctly?
In fact, there are almost no differences between charging a new and a used battery - both elements must first be prepared. But there are differences between the duration of the charge of a serviced battery and an unattended one.
In each case, a certain voltage supply method is applied, which determines how much you need to charge a new car battery.
Charging with variable voltage
This method is useful for charging a new, serviceable battery. This technique allows you to somewhat reduce the degree of "boiling" of the electrolyte, which has a positive effect on the operation of the battery in the future.
New car battery it is desirable to charge.
If you decide to charge the battery in this way, use the instructions.
- Remove the battery from the car, make sure that the temperature of the electrolyte does not exceed 35 0 C.
- Install the charger rheostat so that a voltage of 10% of the battery capacity is applied to the terminals.
- Wait for the appearance of bubbles in the electrolyte, measure the voltage at the contacts.
- If a value of 14.4 V is obtained, reduce the supplied current by 2 times.
- Periodically check the voltage, once it reaches 16V and does not drop for three hours, the battery is charged.
It is difficult to say with accuracy how much time it will take to charge. This procedure usually takes up to 14 hours. Therefore, do not forget to check the voltage in order to turn off the charger in time.
There is another way by which you can make sure that the battery is charged. Check the density of the electrolyte with a hydrometer. If it does not rise within three hours, the process is over.
Be careful! If during the charging process you find that the battery temperature has risen to 45 0 C and above, turn off the charger or reduce the supplied current by 50%.
Constant voltage charging
This method is best used to charge a new maintenance-free battery. The difference from the previous method is the constant supply of voltage without changing the current strength. This approach makes it possible to reduce the heating of the electrolyte.
For charging, a modern charger is used, equipped with a charge indicator and an automatic relay that regulates the supplied voltage depending on the parameters of the battery electrolyte.
Already an hour after connecting the charger, the battery capacity will rise to half, and after 4 hours - up to 95% of the declared by the manufacturer. Guess how much time it takes full charge, not necessary. This takes about 5 hours, after which the charger will turn on the full charge indicator.
Operating a new car battery
In order not to have to go to the car shop again in a year, you need to know how to prepare the battery for work and operate it in the future. For those who have a vague idea of what to do with a new battery, we have prepared two instructions.
First of all, you need to choose the right battery - it must correspond to the parameters specified by the car manufacturer. Otherwise, our recommendations will be useless.
Proper battery charging.
Preparation of the battery for work consists in the following actions:
- Remove the packaging, wipe the case with a clean cloth.
- If the battery is serviced, remove the plugs and measure the density of the electrolyte (should be 1.27-1.28 kg / cm 3).
- Charge the battery.
- Clean the contacts with sandpaper, wipe with a clean cloth.
- Carefully, avoiding sparks, connect the terminals.
If you have an old car that does not have onboard electronic devices(radio, alarm, computer, etc.) - use instruments to check for possible current leakage. Normally, the value should not exceed 15 mA.
On the modern cars current leakage can not be checked - even the radio tape recorder turned off can consume electricity and you will not be able to remove reliable indicators.
Battery Rules
- Immediately after the first ride with a new battery, check the voltage at Idling and when the energy consumers are turned off (the norm is not less than 13.5 V).
- Periodically inspect the housing for mechanical damage that may arise as a result of improper operation or the influence of severe frosts.
- Once a month, remove accumulated dirt from the surface of the case.
- Be careful while "lighting up" another car. There is a risk of burning the wiring when the ignition is on.
- Regularly check the electrical equipment of the car: even a minor malfunction of the generator or relay can adversely affect battery performance.
- Do not allow a critical discharge of the battery (less than 30% capacity) - when the engine is not running, do not turn on the headlights or the radio for a long time.
- Check the quality of the battery fastening to avoid mechanical damage to the case.
If you are not sure of your skills - once every six months, contact a specialist to inspect the battery and possible technical work. It's better to leave it to someone who knows than to try and fix the problem yourself and ruin the battery.
As you can see, the operation of the new battery is not particularly difficult. The main thing is to periodically look under the hood and check the condition of the battery.
Rules for charging a new battery
If you become the owner of a classic lead battery, be careful when installing or recharging. Remember that there is acid inside the battery, which can pose a threat not only to health, but also to life.
Acid burns are very painful and leave scars for life, therefore, when servicing a new battery, it is recommended to work with special gloves that prevent the dangerous substance from getting on the skin.
This advice is especially relevant for those craftsmen who carry out battery maintenance or repair at home.
Be aware that when charging, chemical reactions occur in the battery, which release explosive oxyhydrogen gas (a mixture of oxygen and hydrogen). Place the battery away from open flames, do not touch the terminals to avoid sparks.
Summing up
Now you know how to properly charge a new car battery, follow our recommendations so that the power source lasts a long time and does not cause electrical equipment to fail. If during operation you have any problems with the battery, and you do not know how to solve them, go to the service station. As practice shows, the cost of the services of a master is much lower than the price of a new battery.
