Why do batteries fail?
Batteries require more maintenance than most people would expect, they are not a simple ‘set-&-forget’ kind of thing. Below are
some of the main reason’s batteries may fail or reduce in performance:
●
Lack of Maintenance
Neglecting to check the battery’s general condition & cleanliness can build up to conditions affecting it’s performance & cause a
potential risk.
●
Physical Damage
Incorrect handling or rough treatment of the battery can lead to external damages & subsequent performance issues leading to
their failure. Examples of this include using incorrect products to clean the terminals or accidentally dropping things on or hitting
the batteries.
●
Undercharging
Lead acid batteries need to be kept charged or at a very high charge level at all times. One of the leading causes of battery
failure is undercharging, this can kill the cells within a battery preventing them from charging & subsequently causing their total
failure.
●
Over Discharging
Deeply discharging your batteries can severely damage them. They should not be dropped below their 50% capacity before
recharging is required. A battery that has been discharged to 100% of its capacity regularly will be permanently damaged on an
internal level and cannot be repaired.
●
Overcharging
If you leave your batteries on a constant high voltage charge you can overcharge & damage the batteries. This can also cause
the battery to gas which creates a terrible rotten egg smell which is highly toxic.
Overcharging can happen due to forgetting to turn a charger off, incorrect settings or a faulty charger. If overcharged the
batteries can also heat up and cause high temperatures which can also lead to internal damage.
●
Vibrations/ Corrugations
As the batteries are fitted to a Unit which will be moving around a lot, they have been secured to the Unit to reduce vibration as
best we can however, we cannot eliminate this variable altogether. It is recommended to avoid high corrugations as it can have
an effect on the battery performance.
If you are planning to go on corrugated roads, we advise to place a large piece of rubber underneath the battery to somewhat
reduce the vibration. This will not eliminate road vibrations, but it will help to lessen the effects.
Emergencies
If your battery does develop a leak DO NOT TOUCH IT. The liquid leaking from it is acid & as such is dangerous.
IMPORTANT: Battery acid can cause burns. Suitable hand, eye and face protection & protective clothing including chemical
resistant gloves should always be worn when dealing with damaged batteries.
Battery Warranty (Century Branded Batteries)
If you have taken good care of your batteries but have still encountered an issue the best thing to do is firstly check if it is within
12 months of your handover, if so, you can contact Century Batteries directly to discuss the possibility of a replacement if they
are proven as faulty due to them being under a 12 month warranty from the day of handover.
If you decide to contact them, you will need to provide your Lumberjack receipt as proof of purchase.
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Summary of Contents for Camper Trailer
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