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My Battery Always Dies - Part 1 The Reality of Accessories in the Modern Automobile
Next: My Battery Always Dies - Part 2 Scenarios Where Your Battery May Die!
Some vehicles come equipped with a tachometer to detect redlining the engine. This is usually to stop those who use their engines a bit harder than the rest of us, or choose to take shifting into their own hands.
Unfortunately, very few vehicles are equipped with voltage meters, ammeters, or other diagnostics for redlining the electrical system. This lack of oversight, combined with aftermarket "upgrades" and a few "accessories" quickly leads to problems. Cell phones weren't the start of the problem, but they brought the reality to the masses.
Today, nearly every individual who drives a modern automobile uses their vehicle's electrical system "OVERTIME". We all do it and don't even think twice; the performance car stereo cranked, the A/C on, driving at night with the brights on is routine. Needless to say, this is a full electrical load on the vehicle's electrical system. The result, the vehicle alternator runs at full blast, and the battery fills voids in current when the RPM drops significantly.
Many of us then tend to add things to the system, expecting the same working results. We plug in cell phone chargers, foglights, spotlights, neon carriage lights, large watt stereos, amplifiers, winches, refrigerators, computers, GPS receivers, etc. You name it, somebody has it plugged in directly to their vehicle, or uses an inverter to power AC equipment. Then they expect it to "WORK", indefinitely. Unfortunately, there is no grinding, and very little advanced warning of a failure. You are lucky if you make it to the repair shop, you are usually apprised of the damage at the side of the road somewhere.
Typically those who use their car battery systems without upgrading the parts to accommodate the changes should expect the following issues in no particular order:
- Alternator: Shortened lifespan - $350+
- Battery: Shortened lifespan - $150+
- Fuses: Ranges from shortened lifespan to non working accessories - hassle
- Wires: Possibly melted - Intricate Repairs
- CPU: Failure due to low or varied voltage operation - COSTLY
- Locks: Failure due to low voltage operation - Inconvenient, use the key.
Does the computer in your car freak out all the time?
Does your service engine light come on routinely, only to be cleared at the dealership?
Recently destroyed an alternator or four?
Going through batteries bi-annually? quarterly? monthly?
Don't worry, you aren't alone, these and many other bugs are all rooted in the same cause.
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BD Batteries
Next: My Battery Always Dies - Part 2 Scenarios Where Your Battery May Die!
Legally: REMEMBER, ELECTRICITY HURTS, IT CAN KILL YOU. BD BATTERIES TAKES NO RESPONSIBILITY FOR YOUR ACTIONS WITH THIS INFORMATION. IF YOU AREN'T TRAINED TO WORK WITH ELECTRICITY, CALL SOMEONE WHO IS. IF YOU CHOOSE TO MEDDLE, YOU AGREE TO TAKE RESPONSIBILITY FOR YOURSELF! THIS GUIDE IS IN NO WAY A COMPLETE ELECTRICAL GUIDE, AND SHALL NOT BE PRESENTED AS SUCH IN ANY FORMAT OR FORUM. PERFORMANCE BATTERIES ARE CAPABLE OF ARC WELDING STEEL AND OTHER VERY INTERESTING THINGS INCLUDING YOUR HEART. BE CAREFUL, DON'T HURT YOURSELVES.
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