Finding yourself sitting behind the wheel with nothing but a dim dashboard and a faint click is something every driver goes through at least a few times. To the DIY mechanic, a deeply discharged battery incapable of cranking the engine is a minor inconvenience. To the mechanic, it is a distraction from higher-value work. Either way, a smart battery maintainer can help drivers avoid the situation altogether.
The temptation is to either reach for the jumper cables or the portable jump starter when a battery does not have enough juice to get things going. That is not a problem when a car is driven daily. But when a vehicle sits unused for several days or weeks at a time, there is a better choice: preventing deep discharge from ever happening. That’s the role of the smart battery maintainer.
Deep Discharge: The Science Behind It
Lead-acid batteries are prone to casual discharge even at rest. Discharge encourages a process known as sulfation, so extended periods of deep discharge only encourage more of it. Sulfation results in hard lead sulfate crystals accumulating on battery plates. If the accumulation becomes excessive, the battery is unlikely to be able to hold a charge.
The alternator in your car prevents deep discharge while you drive. As such, it also prevents sulfation. But it is not able to act as a ‘deep-tissue massage’ for a battery already suffering from excess sulfation. And if a battery is considered chemically dead, getting the car started with a portable jump starter still will not allow the alternator to revive it.
This is where the smart battery maintainer comes in. Clore Automotive, makers of the PRO-LOGIX line of smart battery maintainers, explains that the devices are similar to trickle chargers but with advanced features that make them so much better. Smart battery maintainers rely on multi-stage charging to maintain battery health. They can even revive and de-sulfate batteries traditional battery testers would consider dead.
Incredibly Easy to Use
Thanks to technological advancements, modern smart battery maintainers are incredibly easy to use. They are set-and-forget devices for all intents and purposes. There are very few safety concerns if used in accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions.
Smart battery maintainers utilize microprocessor-controlled algorithms to monitor a battery’s internal resistance and temperature. They cycle through the charging stages while continually monitoring battery health. Once a battery is fully charged, the maintainer slips into maintenance mode. This prevents overcharging and excess heat that could otherwise lead to a fire or explosion.
To the professional mechanic, smart battery maintenance is a game-changer. Batteries can be left on a charger overnight with no concerns for safety. But smart maintenance is also a big deal to DIY mechanics, classic car owners, and RVers. They can keep their batteries on the maintainer for as long as their vehicles are being stored.
Convenience Instead of a Service Call
While price points vary, a modest and very capable battery maintainer can usually be had for less than the cost of the hook-up fee for tow service. When you consider how much you could spend on roadside service over the life of your car’s battery, it is very possible that an investment in a battery maintainer could pay for itself.
Between seasonal use and the parasitic battery draw modern cars are known for, proper battery maintenance is necessary to extend a battery’s life. There is no better way to maintain an automotive or marine battery than with a smart battery maintainer. Investing in one means investing in convenience rather than a more expensive service call. To me, it just makes sense.