Kopycinski's Brain - Battery Survival

An auto battery is a relatively simple device, but it’s vital to our everyday motorsports needs. We use the internal chemical energy to provide electrical energy to run a starter motor, producing mechanical energy. On the flip side, the alternator turns mechanical energy to electrical energy that recharges the battery to restore its chemical energy.

Kopycinskis Brain Battery Survival Optima Battery

We can be hard on batteries. Some vehicles are driven daily, but short trips aren’t optimal for recharging. Weekend rigs may sit for long periods of time between uses, leaving the battery to slowly discharge. In other cases, we use high-current accessories such as lighting or winches that can place extraordinarily high loads on the battery and electrical system. Each of these scenarios can slowly diminish the capacity of a battery until it is finally too weak to work properly.

However, there are a few practices you can adopt that can help ensure you maximize the life of your battery and have the confidence to know that it’s fully capable when you need it most.

The mixture on wet cell batteries with removable caps can be checked using a hydrometer to check the specific gravity of the solution. The electrolyte solution of sulfuric acid (~1/3) and distilled water (~2/3) has an ideal mix ratio. As this ratio changes, the charge capacity and condition of the battery will start to degrade. Maintenance-free batteries are built with beefier internal components to reduce water loss and plate degradation over time.
The mixture on wet cell batteries with removable caps can be checked using a hydrometer to
Ideally, your battery should be fully charged when you start the vehicle. The alternator is not meant to restore a depleted battery but to maintain a good charge on a healthy battery. Vehicles that are parked for extended periods are prone to discharge, and this can harm the battery and shorten its life. Chargers with a float or maintenance charge mode can be connected indefinitely with no ill effects to the battery.
Ideally, your battery should be fully charged when you start the vehicle. The alternator i
For those of you who live in a cold winter climate, a battery will last longer when kept inside a garage that is warmer than the outside temperature. Charge any battery 100 percent before putting it in storage. There was a time when it was detrimental to leave an auto battery sitting on a concrete floor, as it would slowly discharge. However, this is no longer an issue because polypropylene battery cases today provide excellent electrical insulation.
For those of you who live in a cold winter climate, a battery will last longer when kept i

Kopycinskis Brain Battery Survival Odyssey Extreme Battery

Batteries are constructed in several ways. There are wet-cell (flooded-acid) batteries, sealed batteries, and Gel-cell and absorbed glass mat (AGM) types. We prefer using non-wet types in off-road vehicles as there is no liquid acid to spill and these batteries are completely safe in a rollover or other accident. When using a Gel or AGM battery, make sure the charger has a setting for Gel or AGM. It’s important to note that using a regular automotive charger on these batteries can cause them to overcharge.