Evaluate how well a Battery meets your needs and compares to competing products
If you've completed step one you've identified what you need in a battery and you've learned about the different features of batteries. While you were doing your research, you probably started the process of determining which features - and thus which type of battery - will best meet your needs. Now you are going to continue that process, but in greater detail.
In this step you will
evaluate the batteries available on the market to determine how well they meet your personal needs and establish, by a process of elimination, an initial short-list of contenders. Then you will compare these short-listed batteries to find out which ones stand out from the competition.
Evaluate how well a Battery meets your needs
Your priority at this point in your evaluation is to find the available batteries in the market that best meet your needs. You can save a lot of time during this activity by quickly eliminating any batteries that are unsuitable because they don't meet your key requirements. For example, if you have a limited budget for this purchase then you can ignore any batteries that clearly exceed your price limit.
The most common battery solution in cars all over the world is the lead-sulphite battery. Lead plates are used in order to create an electrolyte reaction with the water and sulphur combination. These batteries tend to sulphate over time, the solution turning to solid crystal and thereby not producing the electric reaction necessary to produce the power. Most batteries will therefore not come with very long warranties; a three year term is pretty standard for lead acid batteries.
Within the lead acid group, there are many different kinds of ways that the solution is kept in stasis. The most common is the wet cell type, which keeps the solution in liquid form. These are cheaper and are generally low maintenance, but they do tend to be vulnerable when flipped on their sides or upside down; they are therefore no use to motorcycle operators or other high risk vehicles. Gel cell batteries are maintenance free. This means two things; the first is that the solution is much more stable as it is kept in a gel form. The second is that the compartment of the battery is sealed and cannot be opened.
Tip:
Those living in very warm climates need to top off the water levels in their batteries very frequently, therefore no maintenance gel cells are not a very economical solution.
Gel cell batteries will also tend to have more stability than wet cell batteries and can be tipped on their side for a time without leaking or damage. Dry cells and absorbed glass mat batteries are the most stable of the bunch, but they are expensive. Absorbed glass mat batteries in particular are great when it comes to off roading, as the plates contained within the batteries are immobilized and do not shake loose over rough terrain. A lack of solution in these batteries means that they can be tipped, stored, or even placed in the vehicle upright, on their sides, even upside down.
Tip:
Gel cells tend to break down in heat, so if you live in an area where the temperature exceeds 37 degrees Celsius (98.6 degree Fahrenheit) regularly, they will be less practical than other options.
CCA stands for cold cranked amps, and is a measurement of how much current a battery can produce at minus18 degrees C (minus 0.4 degree Fahrenheit). The higher the number, the more likely the battery will be able to start your car during colder weather.
For many people, cold weather is seen as the enemy of the battery, but in fact hot weather is the culprit that will do the most damage. Car batteries need monthly maintenance checks when the weather is hot. A maintenance check should always include the use of safety glasses, and the water levels and voltage of the battery should be checked. If the battery is below 12.4 V, it will start to damage itself as it tries to recharge, and it is important that you charge the battery when it is at this level.
Tip:
Trickle chargers are the lightest way to recharge a battery, but they also take a lot of time. You have to monitor trickle chargers very closely, as over charging a battery can cause more damage than running it with a voltage less than 12.4.
The labels applied to the terminal types tell you how the terminals of the battery are situated. The most common configuration is the SAE post, with the terminals on the top of the battery. This allows easy access both for a recharge or jump start and the wiring of the car.
Reserve charge is the amount of time a battery can run if the alternator (which recharges the battery) stops working. This number is particularly important in older cars where the alternator may go at any time, as you do not want to be stuck somewhere with a dead battery.
Tip:
When buying a new battery, it is best to go for one with the highest CCA and RC that you can find to fit in your car.
Alternative batteries are available, but most have to be configured with an engine in order to be effective. Batteries can be purchased that recharge through solar energy rather than through engine power. These batteries tend to be deep cycle, with thicker plates that allow for more constant discharge of current. In contrast, standard lead acid batteries really only act as a starter as far as actual vehicle operation goes; insofar as other purposes they power the electrical components.
When you were considering your requirements in a battery it's likely that you singled out certain factors such as battery type, size, warranty and cost as being of major significance. As with so many other products, the more features offered, the higher the price.
Buyz123 has created a checklist containing examples of major features; you can work from this checklist when evaluating how well various batteries meet your personal needs:
Features Checklist
Types
- Lead acid - wet cell, gel cell, absorbed glass mat, dry cell
- Cranking - more plates, higher amps
- Deep cycle - thicker plates
- Maintenance - low, maintenance free
Materials
- Lead-acid - lead or lead oxide plates, 65/35 water/lead solution
- Lead alloys - cadmium, calcium, strontium
- Terminal posts - threaded, unthreaded
Measurements
- CCA - 500 to 925
- RC - 24 to 48
- Group - United States: U1, 24, 27, 31, 34, 35, 65, 75, 78, 8D, GC, L-16 (varies by country)
- Amp hours - 16 to 250
- Terminals - SAE Post, “L”, GM Side, Stud
- Date - number corresponding to month of the year, letter corresponding to month of year, single digit representing the year
- Sizes - (LWH) 8&3/16 x 6&13/16 x 8& inches (20.8 x 17.3 x 22.2cm) to 11&3/16 x 6&7/8 x 7& inches (28.4 x 17.5 x 19cm)
Recharging
- Alternator
- Solar panel
- Methods - slow charging, quick charging, trickle charging
Maintenance
- Top off - water
- State of charge
- Recharging - <12.4 V
- Frequency - once every 3 months in cold weather, once every month in hot
Warranty
There are a lot of features listed here, and some of them may not be relevant to your particular requirements. So, work your way through the list and assess how each of these features impact on your battery needs. You can then create a personalized checklist of the features you really require in a battery.
Once you have finished evaluating the batteries available for sale in the light of your personal needs and arrived at a short-list of 'possibles' you are ready to progress to the next stage. This involves comparing the batteries one-on-one in order to find those that really stand out.
Evaluate how well a Battery compares with competing Batteries
Comparing the items on your interim short-list, one to another, is an important part of the purchasing process - we all want to buy the best product we possibly can. So once you have established a short-list of batteries that meet your needs it is time to evaluate how well they compare in fine detail. This way you can assemble a select list of batteries that stand out from the crowd.
Questions to ask yourself:
Which battery on my short-list offers the best value for money?
Which of these batteries best meet my needs?
Which of my short-listed batteries has the best warranty?
Which battery is the easiest to maintain?
Which of the batteries seems of the highest quality?
Which battery do I like best?
By answering these simple questions, you are actually eliminating batteries that aren't absolutely right for you. This is an excellent time - if you haven't done so already - to evaluate how well your short-listed products measure up in the following areas: Physical Quality, Warranty Conditions and Accessories & Extras.
Physical Quality
Regardless of the method you use when purchasing the battery, you need to find an opportunity to examine the product to evaluate how well it is made, and to check that it is truly suitable for you and your purpose. This is the time to examine the quality of the materials, and how well the battery is put together. Check the assembly - is the battery solidly constructed? It's also important to examine the battery from the perspective of ease of use. How easy is the battery to maintain? Make sure the battery fits your vehicle properly, and that it is user-friendly - some batteries look great on paper, but unexpected problems will show up when you finally get your hands on them.
Physical Inspection Checklist:
- Materials - quality, appearance
- Assembly - all parts held together securely, good quality fittings
- Solidly constructed - stable, no loose components
- Proper fit of removable parts - easy to remove and replace, fit snugly
- Size - appropriate for surroundings and purpose - fits vehicle correctly
- Easy to use and maintain
Warranty Conditions
Similar products may be available with significantly different terms and conditions, and you want to get the best deal you can. Parts and labor are often covered under separate warranties, for different time periods; sometimes there can be a significant difference in the warranty offered with one model compared to that offered with the next model up. It is particularly important to investigate any conditions that might void a warranty, such as if you use jumper leads incorrectly.
Warranty Checklist:
- Duration - check the specifics
- Parts, Labour, Electrical
- Exactly what is covered
- Exactly what is excluded
- Conditions or actions that may void the warranty
Accessories and Extras
When evaluating similar products, it is a good idea to include accessories in your assessment. You need to be clear about exactly what accessories are necessary to run the product to its full capacity, and whether these are included with the purchase. What other extras are required - do you need a battery recharger, for instance?
Accessories Checklist:
- Accessories - included or extra cost?
- Compatibility issues - will it work with your existing products?
- What else will you need to fully utilize the battery?
Once you've worked through the Evaluation step you will have a final short-list of batteries that meet your needs and stand out from competing products on the market. It's time then to move on to the third and final step: Purchase.
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