October 2020

head, vehicle batteries are at risk of running flat due to lack of use. “A battery that’s running flat can have a significant impact on driver safety and the experience at the wheel, as its primary response is to protect the vehicle in the event that something goes wrong. This means that it begins to cut out power- draining components like the radio, air con or electric windows. “It can be easy to mistake these as symptoms of an electrical fault or blown fuse, which is why thorough diagnostics are critical. If customers drive away with a battery that’s susceptible to running flat or that experiences repeat faults within just a few weeks, it’s potentially dangerous – not to mention frustrating – and can damage their trust in the garage they used. “Our advice is to test batteries as standard whenever any vehicle is brought in for servicing and repairs. Doing so typically takes less than a minute, and can help technicians ensure they are providing the most accurate diagnosis, as well as drive additional revenue. “A vehicle that has its battery replaced due to a non-start after a long period of non-use may be wrongly diagnosed as the battery having reached the end of its lifespan. In fact, the true cause may be undiagnosed internal faults preventing the vehicle from fully shutting down. These can cause new batteries to run flat again within just a few days.” Colin added:” Familiarity with solutions such as the Bosch KTS560 software can help technicians to quickly and accurately identify the root cause of battery faults, allowing them to take the most appropriate course of action and provide the best service to customers.” Demand Commenting on the tough job car batteries are asked to do, Banner Batteries Business Development Manager Russell Shea said: “While a typical three-bedroom semi-detached family home uses approximately 10,000 watts per day, a car isn’t too far behind, sometimes using as much as a staggering 6,500 watts a day. “Demand for delivering more power has therefore resulted in manufacturers to develop the current generation of starter batteries that continue to lead the field. “It’s important to remember that EFB (Enhanced Flooded Battery), AGM (Absorbent Glass Mat) and Valve Regulated Lead Acid (VRLA) technologies are here to stay. Not just purely on the premise that they have the ability to deliver power above and beyond, but against the all-important eco-initiatives that governments are implementing to meet EU legislation. “It is against this backdrop that OE battery manufacturers continue to work closely with vehicle producers to deliver power solutions that not only exceed automotive power output requirements, but which are also emission friendly. In order to deliver on these two fronts, the focus remains on OE battery manufacturers producing a solution that is designed and produced to exceed and not meet a normal life expectancy. This means using only the highest quality components rather than producing on price alone.” Russell added: “Let’s not forget that OE manufactured batteries of the EFB and AGM type are proven to perform both on the car and in favour of the environment. But the story isn’t about to end there. With more dynamic eco- initiatives now mushrooming, again to help drivers save fuel and reduce vehicle CO2 emissions, the need to of deploy the highest quality battery technology is set to remain of prime importance.” Innovations As we have seen, circumstances change, and batteries are changing too. As a strategic partner for Exide in the UK & Ireland, ECOBAT Battery Technologies (ECOBAT) is highlighting the innovations the OE brand has to offer the independent sector. ECOBAT Marketing Manager Laura Jones commented: “Initially developed for its Stop/Start OE batteries, Carbon Boost is Exide’s smart electrochemical solution for longer battery life and uses carbon additives on the surface of the negative plates to increase the speed at which the sulphate particles dissolve. It is the only battery manufacturer to adopt this approach, which leads to faster recharging, protection from sulphation, and less stratification. “Continuous investments in R&D, tighter emissions regulations and the increasing demands from the VMs in regards to charge acceptance and energy availability, all led to the development of Carbon Boost 2.0. In addition to its Stop/Start batteries, Carbon Boost 2.0 is also incorporated into the Exide Premium, the brand’s top-of-the-range offering, for vehicles with a conventional powertrain. “As a result, the Premium now recharges up to twice as fast as other conventional batteries and with battery related failure remaining the number one cause of car breakdowns, this fast recharging capability considerably reduces the risk of breakdowns by helping the battery retain a healthy state of charge for longer.” Stop/Start On the growth of Stop/Start, Laura said: “While conventional powertrains still power most of the car parc, the percentage of Stop/Start equipped vehicles in Europe is growing rapidly every year. To enable independents to cater for this change, alongside its conventional powertrain range, ECOBAT is able to offer Exide’s AGM and EFB batteries for Stop/Start- equipped vehicles. “Exide’s OE AGM batteries were first to the market in 2004 and feature LifeGrid technology. Combined with high-capillarity glass mat separators, advanced lead-tin alloys and unique carbon additives in the active mass, LifeGrid provides consistent power and even longer battery life. “First invented by Exide in 2008, EFB batteries have come to play an increasingly crucial role for VMs in 40 AFTERMARKET OCTOBER 2020 BATTERIES AND CHARGERS Below: AGM battery from Exide www.aftermarketonline.net Our advice is to test batteries as a standard whenever any vehicle is brought in... ”