The car’s battery is usually 12 volts or above. When the vehicle runs, the battery is measured at 13.7 to 14.7 volts.
When the engine is not running, A fully charged battery should give you a healthy reading of around 12.4-12.6v.
A Multimeter measures the voltage in a car. A voltmeter detects possible differences between two points in an electrical circuit.
What Is a Battery?
A battery is an instrument that stores chemical energy and converts it into electrical energy.
Chemical reactions in batteries involve the flow of electrons from one electrode to another through an external circuit.
The flow of electrons provides an electric current that can work to balance the flow of electrons, even charged ions.
The electrolytes in contact with both electrodes flow through the solution—different electrodes and electrolytes cause various chemical reactions.
This affects how the battery works, how much energy it can store, and its voltage.
Why is Only 12 Volts Battery Used in Cars?
The mid-1950s saw the introduction of the 12-volt automotive electrical system in new cars.
Ohm’s law states that doubling the voltage for the same power in a circuit halves the current required.
Simply put, a high current requires large wires. High voltage saves money and makes it more reliable.
This is a convenient shape for the standard electrical components found in cars.12 volts is the most common voltage in an automotive battery because that’s the size of the small motor found inside the starter and alternators
How to Choose the Right Battery?
Today, all types of cars include 12-volt lead-acid batteries. The newer technology used in cars, such as power stop, start, internal lights, infotainment systems, speakers, etc., drains the battery faster.
New technology is widely used in today’s high-end cars. Battery capacity is neglected when using this technology.
This requires that you focus on the equipment in your car and the battery with the appropriate capacity.
When is the Right Time to Replace/change a Car Battery?
Experts in the field recommend replacing the battery every two to three years to avoid any problems with the car.
If a new car is purchased, the car battery should be replaced every two to three years.
However, if you are buying a second-hand car, consider its usage and other factors to determine its battery life. Here are some signs of when to replace the battery.
If it takes a long time to start the car or if the vehicle does not start at the first blow, it must be understood that there is an issue with the battery.
If the battery is down, the spark plug may not work. Therefore, it is time to repair or replace the battery.
If the headlights light up or down in the dark at night or the light is not clear, you may notice the battery is down.
In most cars, the ‘check engine’ notification will automatically appear on the console if the battery is low. This means the battery needs to be replaced or recharged.
Even if the battery goes down, there is no need to panic. Nowadays, it has become very easy to charge the battery.
How to Check Car Battery?
- Turn off the car ignition.
- Open the battery-positive terminal cover. Check and clean the battery terminals.
- Connect the voltmeter’s positive wire to the positive terminal on your battery. The positive wire on the voltmeter is usually red.
- Connect the voltmeter negative lead to the negative terminal of the battery.
- Check the voltmeter. If your battery is in good condition, the voltage must be between 12.4 and 12.7 volts. A measurement result of fewer than 12.4 volts indicates that your battery needs to be charged.
If the reading’s effect is less than 12.2 volts, the battery is a “trickle charge,” which is a slow charge. Then check back.
If the reading result exceeds 12.9 volts, you have an excess voltage. Please turn on the high beam light to eliminate its extra voltage charging.
Excessive voltage can indicate the battery being overcharged by the alternator.
Even if you have a voltmeter, you should still do a load testing (power supply) check on the battery.
