Tips to Consider While Buying a Battery for Your Semi-Truck

Choosing the right battery for your semi truck is essential because a faulty battery can zap the truck’s power, leading to costly repair and forcing you to use a semi-truck battery charger. While ensuring your vehicle with the right battery can help prevent premature performance issues and costly downtime and minimize repair costs.

The best way to avoid battery problems is to avoid common mistakes drivers make while buying batteries for their semi-trucks. Here are some of the tips for selecting a battery for your semi-truck.

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Tips to Consider While Buying a Battery for Your Semi-Truck

Check Your Vehicle Manuals For The CCA and Reserve Capacity

Check your vehicle manual for manufacturer recommendations for the battery’s Group Size, Cold Cranking Amps (CCA), and Reserve Capacity requirements for your semi-truck.

The CCA rating helps you to know the number of amps a charged battery produces during 30 seconds while maintaining at least 7.2 volts at a temperature of -18°C. Reserve Capacity informs you how many minutes a charged battery can supply 25 amps of power at 80°F or 27°C without falling below 10.5 volts.

CCA is a rating system defining a battery’s ability to start or crank an engine in cold temperatures. At the same time, Reserve Capacity helps power the vehicle’s electrical system in case of alternator failure.

Check For The Freshness of the Battery

It’s good to avoid an old battery because it may not deliver efficiency as they mention on their label. Always check the battery date or ask the retailer to check them for you to purchase the freshest battery available. Remember, batteries on the shelf for too long may not perform well.

Go With Properly Sealed Batteries

Most of the battery types use a lead and sulfuric acid chemistry. So, following the manufacturer’s manual is extremely important to avoid injury or damage to the battery. You can go with the Absorbed Glass Mat (AGM) batteries. These batteries are properly sealed, so there is no concern about acid spills when changing or checking the battery. AGM batteries also protect your semi truck against high-impact shock and vibration.

Always Compare Battery With The Manufacturer’s Manuals

The fleet owners or semi truck drivers should know the strength of their trucks and the concept of different battery designs against their specific application demands. Following the manufacturer’s battery care and handling guidelines is recommended before buying the battery cross-reference it with your truck manufacturer’s guidelines.

Avoid Conventional Batteries

Conventional lead acid batteries need preventive maintenance, including changing water and equalizing. Their regular maintenance is tedious and time-consuming. Moreover, if you don’t follow the proper maintenance schedule, your battery can lead to malfunction. You can go with Absorbed Glass Mat (AGM) Batteries. This battery facilitates improved charge, is recharged faster, and holds the charge for longer.

Warranties of the Battery

While buying, always consider warranties and choose a battery with a long free replacement period. Warranties come in two forms, combining complete replacement and prorated periods. In complete replacement, you don’t have to pay to get the replacement of your batteries. At the same time, a prorated period offers partial reimbursement within a limited period of time. Therefore, warranties will give you the option to replace the batteries if you are not satisfied with the performance of your battery.

Select the Battery According to Your Semi Truck’s Power

Many batteries are available in the market, but the most common are conventional flooded lead acid and sealed Absorbed Glass Mat (AGM). Conventional flooded batteries suit cars, cabs, and vehicles requiring minimal cycling. AGM batteries are better for semi-trucks and heavy-duty trucks as they provide premium cycling and starting power. AGM batteries featuring advanced Thin Plate Pure Lead (TPPL) technology offer many advantages in commercial vehicles.

Conclusion

When you know how to buy batteries for your semi-truck, you can travel confidently without relying on a jump start or battery charger. These points will guide any driver’s selection of an efficient solution for the next battery replacement. Contact SRB Equipment for more information on regular semi-truck maintenance, including CVIP inspection, wheel alignment, and engine repair.

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