Car batteries come in a diverse range of sizes, with the smallest offering around 7 Ah and the largest providing up to 225 Ah. For starter batteries in cars, the range typically falls between 35 Ah and approximately 100 Ah. Motorbikes and Tuk Tuks usually use batteries within the range of 5 Ah to 20 Ah, while trucks, pickups, and heavy machinery rely on larger batteries ranging from 65 Ah to 225 Ah.
To determine the battery size, you can refer to the part number label affixed to the battery or engraved on its top. The battery size may be indicated using the old naming system, which typically starts with the letter N for Japanese vehicle type batteries and DIN for European vehicle batteries. Examples of battery sizes under this system include NS40 35 Ah, N40 40Ah, NS60 45 Ah, N50 50Ah, NS70 65Ah, N70 70Ah, N80 80Ah N90 90Ah, N95 95Ah, N100 100Ah, N120 120Ah, N150 150Ah, N170 170Ah, N180Ah 180Ah, and N200 200Ah. European battery types may include DIN45 45Ah, DIN 55 55Ah, DIN66 66Ah, DIN70 70Ah, DIN74 74Ah, DIN80 80AH, DIN90 90Ah, DIN 100 100Ah, and DIN110 110Ah.
There is also a new international part numbering system for Japanese type batteries, which features battery sizes such as 40B20L 35Ah, 55B24L 45Ah, 75D23L 65Ah, 75D26L 65Ah, 65D31L 70Ah, and 105D31L 80Ah. For European batteries, sizes range from 54538 45Ah, 55559 55Ah, 56638 66Ah, 57438 74Ah, 58043 80 AH, 59038 90Ah, to 60038 100Ah.
Finally, for Japanese vehicles with start-stop features, it is recommended to use batteries with EFB technology, such as the M42L 40Ah, N55L 50Ah, Q85 65Ah, S95 70Ah, and T110 85Ah, in order to ensure optimal battery performance.
You may need to replace your battery when it is:
1) No longer working as intended i.e. it does not start the engine immediately and has a slow start.
2) It starts the car irregularly i.e. it fails to start in the morning but starts during subsequent starts during the day.
3) Fails to start the car completely.
Batteries are an essential part of our daily lives, powering everything from our smartphones to our cars. However, when a battery dies, it can be frustrating and disruptive. So, how do you know if your battery is dead? Here are some tips to help you identify if your battery needs replacing.
First, if your device or vehicle fails to start, it may be a sign that the battery is dead. If you turn the key in your car’s ignition and hear only a clicking sound or no sound at all, it’s likely that your battery is dead or dying. Similarly, if you press the power button on your device and nothing happens, it’s possible that the battery is dead.
Another sign that your battery may be dead is if it has a low voltage reading. If you have a multimeter, you can test the voltage of your battery to see if it’s low. A fully charged battery should have a voltage reading of around 12.6 volts. This test should not be done when the engine is running or soon after putting of the engine. If the reading is lower than this, it’s likely that the battery needs replacing.
If you notice that your device or vehicle is experiencing electrical issues, it may be a sign that your battery is dead. For example, if your car’s headlights are dim or flickering, it’s possible that the battery is not providing enough power to the electrical system. Similarly, if your device is experiencing glitches or freezes, it could be due to a dead battery.
Lastly, if you notice that your battery is swollen or leaking, it’s important to replace it immediately. A swollen or leaking battery is a sign of a potentially dangerous chemical reaction, and it’s best to dispose of the battery and replace it with a new one.
In conclusion, there are several signs that may indicate that your battery is dead, including failure to start, low voltage readings, electrical issues, and swollen or leaking batteries. If you’re experiencing any of these issues, contact Meta Batteries and Solar Ltd. to get a new battery.
Set the multimeter to read DC current and V for voltage between 0 and 60V. Place the crocodile clips on the battery terminals based on their labelled/coloured polarity (Red for positive Black for negative) and then perform the tests.
A battery tester is usually designed to test the battery and is usually calibrated with clearly labelled indicators of the likely condition of the battery like bad, fair/weak and good.
Most maintenance-free batteries are fitted with a hydrometer that is usually connected to one of the 6 cells of the battery. The hydrometer also known as magic eye works by using the condition of the electrolyte to tell the charge of the battery and sometimes the electrolyte level.
The hydrometer has a colored weight that is covered by a magnifying glass that is raised up and down when the density of the electrolyte changes with the charge of the battery. When the charge is low the electrolyte loses all its sulfur oxide to the plates and hence loses its density. The colored weight falls and is not reflected by the magnifying glass and no colour is seen. This can be clear or black.
However when the battery is fully charged, all the sulfur oxide is released from the plates and the electrolyte becomes dense. This will lift the colored weight, the magnifying glass will reflect its color and a green color will be seen from the glass.
You can also use the ordinary Pipette type hydrometer to test the battery acid to tell the charge of the battery. These usually have an inner tube containing a weight and a calibrated marking that based on the level of the electrolyte after sucking the electrolyte will indicate the level of charge.