Q. Why won’t my vehicle start on winter mornings? A. Heavy-duty vehicle engines need twice as much energy to operate when the temperature falls below freezing, and if you have a weak or damaged battery that can’t produce sufficient power, it could explain why your vehicle fails to start on icy mornings. Q. Should I use more than one batter to power my heavy-duty vehicle and its...

When handling batteries, always use protective gloves and eyewear, as well as insulated tools. Be sure to follow the manufacturer’s guidelines for proper battery maintenance and care and direct any questions to your battery professional. Check the battery’s State of Charge (SOC) If the battery is a conventional flooded lead acid battery, check the electrolyte and replenish as needed Inspect the case, terminals, cables and...

As seasons change, many powersports vehicles are decommissioned and put into storage. To help ensure a healthy battery when it’s time to power your vehicle back up to operate on land, sea or snow, consider the following storage guidelines: Inspect the battery to make sure the cables and their housings are in good condition and the connectors are secured tightly to the battery. For conventional flooded...

Engine cranks slowly when being started. A slow cranking engine could mean that your battery is beginning to fail. It’s best to first check all battery connections as well as the starter and fuel system to determine the root cause. Lights dim or problems with electronic/electrical devices, such as electric windows or locks. As with slow starting, lights that dim or electric windows and locks that are slow...

Tip One – Use the Correct Charger Make sure that your charger is designed for your type of marine battery. Conventional flooded lead acid batteries frequently require different charger systems and algorithms than AGM or lithium-ion batteries. Tip Two – Practice Proper Storage During the off-season, keep marine batteries stored in a cool, dry and well-ventilated place to help prevent corrosion and failure. Tip Three – Conduct Routine Servicing...

There are many different battery chemistries on the market today for your powersports vehicle and each one has its own unique characteristics. Let’s explore the different chemistries available to energize your powersports application to see which battery is right for you. Flooded Lead Acid Batteries Conventional flooded lead acid batteries are usually the least expensive option available but have many downfalls for this type of vehicle application....

When the time comes to invest in a new powersports battery for your All Terrain Vehicle (ATV) or motorcycle, the type of chemistry you choose – whether it be a traditional flooded lead acid or Absorbed Glass Mat (AGM) battery – will play a pivotal part in the applications productivity. It’s important to understand the benefits and features of the different battery designs available on...

Batteries play a critical role in vehicle operation, so it’s important to separate fact from fiction and make informed decisions that help to ensure maximum performance. MISCONCEPTION: You should never store a battery directly on concrete to avoid damaging it. At one time that may have been good advice, but today’s state-of-the-art battery cases are made of tough plastics such as polycarbonate or polypropylene for great impact...

As the transportation industry has evolved, so has the power behind it. From vehicles going fully electric to auxiliary enhancements onboard high-tech motorboats and All Terrain Vehicles (ATVs) – the battery landscape has innately adapted to these significant technological changes and in how we get our application from start to finish – whether on the road, on the racetrack or on the water. AGM2 is...

Aftermarket experts are beginning to find that short-lived batteries in fleets may be due to the wrong choice in the vehicle alternator. Over the years, the alternator’s job has become more complex. Before, the typical heavy-duty vehicle could operate effectively with 40 amps of electrical current, which was enough to power the ignition, fuel and light systems. Fast forward to today and that threshold is rapidly...

Knowing the right battery solution to use to power your Recreational Vehicle (RV) can be a challenging task, especially given the different chemistries that are available on the market today. When this topic arises, we find that some customers have many more questions than answers. Below, please find a few of the commonly asked questions we receive and our team’s advice to help achieve optimal...

Maritime enthusiasts now have a multitude of battery designs to choose from to power their vessel forward. Inadvertently investing in the wrong chemistry could be the difference between a fun day out on the water or costly equipment downtime that results in a delay in the excitement. Here’s a general overview of the current battery chemistries available for marine applications: Flooded Lead Acid Batteries  Flooded lead acid batteries...

A heavy-duty battery is one of the most important components assembled within the vehicle – responsible for not only starting the engine, but also keeping any onboard electronics, such as the radio or GPS, in operation. It’s beneficial to recognize the benefits and features of the different battery chemistries available on the market today to equip your fleet with the ideal power solution. From conventional flooded...

Earlier this year, our team of ODYSSEY® battery experts at EnerSys weighed in on frequently asked questions they receive from customers related to an auxiliary battery. This time around, we are going to explore questions our customers pose related to general vehicle battery performance including proper installation, maintenance and charging as well as the different chemistries available on the market today and how to select...