How to Disconnect and Reconnect a Car Battery, The battery is the main power backup that works to meet all the electricity needs in the car. A problematic battery will certainly our mobility when driving. A car battery that does not work properly will cause several problems, for example the air conditioner is not cool, the car’s performance decreases, the engine becomes unstable, and even causes the engine to not start.
All these electrical problems can only be solved by replacing the old car battery with a new battery. These tips will help you when you have to replace a car battery without the help of a mechanic. There are 3 stages in the process of replacing an old car battery with a new one, namely how to remove the old battery, the process of cleaning rust and how to install a new battery.
How to Disconnect / Remove the Old Battery
The first step you have to do is to properly remove the car battery. To be more secure, remove the cables, bolts and clamps on the negative pole first, and then proceed to the positive pole. After all the cables and clamps are removed, lift the battery vertically so that the liquid in the battery does not spill.
The reason is, if you remove the positive part of the cable first so that there is no electrical short circuit caused by work tools that fall into the positive terminal or other objects. Meanwhile, if you unplug the negative cable first, it will automatically disconnect the electric current in the car body. Even if there are metal objects or other objects that fall on both terminals, there will be no problems such as short circuits.
Rusty Part Cleaning
The second step is to check the cables and battery clamps. If there is rust, use an anti-rust liquid to clean it or you can scrub it to remove rust. Rust and various dirt attached to the clamps and the ends of the cable will become an insulator / barrier to the entry of electricity.
How to Reconnect a New Battery
The third step is to install a new battery. How to install a new battery is the opposite of removing the old battery. Place the battery on the holder vertically, then attach the positive cable first, then proceed with installing the negative cable. This is done to prevent the emergence of sparks at the positive pole. Make sure that all cables and clamps are securely locked. After that try to start the car engine, if all goes well, then you can close the hood and continue the journey.
Usually after installing the positive cable and then installing the negative cable on the battery terminal, of course there will be sparks when you bring it close to the terminal. Friends do not need to panic, because if the battery head is installed perfectly then the spark will not reappear. Unless a short circuit occurs, sparks will continue to appear at the negative pole.
See Also: 5 Tips Maintenance Car Batteries So That They Are Not Damaged
Of course, you don’t want to go to work in the morning or when you are going to do outside activities suddenly the car breaks down because the starter can’t be turned on. Maybe the initial diagnosis that you definitely think of is a soaked car battery. Before going into the main topic, first understand the types of batteries, their functions and the components that make up a car battery so that you better understand the ins and outs of batteries. Here are the causes of the car battery soaking and the solutions and prevention.
How to Disconnect and Reconnect a Car Battery
Car is rarely used/warmed up
One of the causes of a worn out car battery is because the car is rarely used. This is because the battery does not get enough electricity supply, which makes the battery capacity less than optimal. That’s why you must take your car on a trip at least once a week so that the electricity supply to the battery is always optimal which will automatically make its service life longer.
Intense car use
Another cause of the car battery soaking is due to the high intensity of car use. Cars that are used continuously require a large amount of electricity, so the battery works too extra which will automatically reduce its service life. All car components do have a lifetime, and will quickly break down if used continuously.
Battery water out
One of the advantages of the wet type car battery is that it can be refilled so that it has a longer service life and easier maintenance. But often the owner of a wet battery forgets to check. You know the battery water has run out, thus making the battery unable to work properly. If this is left alone, the car battery will soak, so it is highly recommended to always check the battery water before traveling.
Incorrect Car Battery Capacity
As we said above, we should not just choose a car battery. Make sure the capacity is in accordance with the electrical needs of the car we have. If the capacity of the battery used is too small, it can result in over-supply which can result in reduced battery life and the car battery drains quickly.
Excess Car Accessories
Modifying a car is one of the most exciting hobbies. Often car owners make modifications by adding an audio system without paying attention to the capacity of the car battery.
The audio system does require a large amount of electrical power, so we have to adjust it to the capacity of the battery used. If this is left alone, then over time the battery power is sucked out, so that it has the potential to damage the car battery, often short or soak.
See Also: How To Put A Jump Start On A Battery To Avoid Explosion
Use of Overcurrent Car Headlights
Not only the audio system, the use of lights that are not up to standard is also one of the causes of the car battery soaking. Before modifying the car by adding an audio system, HID lamps and projector lamps, it’s a good idea to first see how much power is needed, so that we can replace the car battery with a larger amperage so that the power needs are appropriate.
Car Battery Age
As the age of the car increases, it is directly proportional to the age of the car battery. Of course, the ability to store power will decrease. As a result you have to buy a new battery whose condition is still normal. At least the car battery replacement can be done every 2-3 years, so the car can avoid breaking down because it can’t be started.
