Overdrive Magazine | Trucking Business News & Owner Operator Info
Issue link: http://read.dmtmag.com/i/1009508
August 2018 | Overdrive | 39 tive maintenance inspection and charge the batteries if they are low," he says. "Do not rely on the alternator to do the charging. Over time, this can cause alternator stress, resulting in a premature alternator failure." The first step of a battery check, Gruenstern says, is to look over its con- nections and clean the posts. In some cases, battery acid level can be adjusted by adding distilled water. Also, inspect the battery's securement to the truck; vibration can damage a battery if the hold-down hardware is loose or missing. A basic quick battery check starts with voltage. McLaughlin says for most 12-volt batteries, trucks require a 75-per- cent state of charge – 12.4 volts – to turn over the engine. Kohler says any fully charged 12-volt AGM battery should measure about 12.8 volts. "Extreme variations in bat- tery voltage can mean trouble," he says. Gruenstern says a good battery tester will check for other hidden signs of trou- ble beyond just checking the battery's open circuit voltage to verify the battery is being charged properly. He suggests choosing a battery tester that also gives a reading of starting capability. "It is best to check each battery indi- vidually, not in a series," Kohler says. "This will indicate if one specific bat- tery is having more of a problem than another." For "hard starts" or shorter runs with hotel loads, it's a good idea to test the battery pack, says Jackie LeFort, a senior product director for Paccar Parts. She says the test should examine: • State of charge of the pack. When fully charged, the battery level is 12.65 volts for flooded batteries and 12.75 volts for AGM. • The hold-down hardware and battery connections to ensure secure fastening. • If the battery pack is found to be discharged. If so, the batteries should be fully recharged and tested with a load or conductance tester. Most starting batteries in trucks leaving the factory feature 650 or 700 cold crank- ing amps unless spec'd otherwise. For trucks that usually run in a hot environ- ment, McLaughlin suggests a lower CCA. "Flooded batteries with a lower CCA usually have thicker or less plates that can hold a charge for longer periods," he says. "With less plates than a higher CCA bat- tery, the additional acid in the case allows for better cooling properties." Gruenstern says a common miscon- ception is that more CCA is always bet- ter. In reality, it doesn't pay to select the highest CCA-rated battery unless the truck manufacturer specifies it or if the truck operates in very cold climates. "A lower CCA-rated battery can per- form better in hot climes because there is greater electrolyte volume," he says. GET INTO YOUR COMFORT ZONE GET INTO YOUR COMFORT COMFORT ZONE Configure yours today at www.bostromseating.com Wide Ride Core Since 1935 1-800-459-7328 | www.facebook.com/bostromseating O P T I O N A L " S M A R T " D U M P + M E M O R Y V AL VE Untitled-39 1 2/15/18 8:51 AM