NEWS & PRESS

8 facts about batteries
that you probably did not know yet
Various factors, such as driving behaviour or ambient temperature, influence the service life of a battery. We have noted 8 interesting facts about starter batteries here.

1. Breakdown number ONE

According to the breakdown statistics of the automobile clubs, faults in the vehicle's electrics/electronics due to weakening batteries are the most frequent cause of breakdowns - at approx. 42%. The reasons for this are often a high load from many electrical consumers and inadequate battery management.

2. the heart of the vehicle's electrical system

Parking heaters, start-stop systems, recuperation: the electrics of modern vehicles are becoming increasingly complex and require more cycle-resistant starter or on-board batteries.

3 Short distances, more power

Due to stop-and-go traffic and frequent short trips, the vehicle often needs more energy than the alternator can produce and recharge during the journey.

4 Always on - digital networking in the car

Safety and comfort functions, the anti-theft alarm system, coming- and leaving-home functions always need power, even when the car is parked.

5. shorter service life

In extreme heat or long periods of standing, the battery suffers from self-discharge. Its lifespan is shortened due to higher water consumption and corrosion.

6. sub-zero temperatures cost energy

As temperatures drop, the battery's performance also decreases simply because of poorer charge absorption. In addition, additional electrical consumers such as seat, parking or rear window heaters, etc. require a lot of energy in the cold season. need a lot of energy during the cold season.

7. hard workers for your comfort

Ventilation, seat or auxiliary heating, infotainment, ... Modern cars use the battery not only for starting, but also more and more as an on-board battery.

8. energy for the environment

Recuperation and start-stop systems make modern cars much more environmentally friendly by reducing fuel consumption and CO2 emissions.

emissions. The basic prerequisite: an extremely cycle-resistant start-stop battery that reliably delivers top performance start after start and drive after drive.

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Properties that convince
For a clean environment - leisure batteries for long-term discharge!
The properties of Duracell Leisure make it robust and the ideal energy storage device for camping/caravans, on sailing boats and for many other applications, including signalling systems and as a drive battery for electric motors.

Electricity to go

Lead-acid batteries in the hobby and leisure sector versus "other, more innovative, more modern battery technologies".
Nature lovers and outdoor enthusiasts are people with a particularly strong connection to nature and can feel good about the fact that the batteries in use are recycled and reused.

Not thrown away and landfilled!

Battery recycling for a clean environment!

No other battery technology is as recyclable, sustainable and environmentally friendly as the lead-acid base used in Duracell Leisure.


Duracell lead-acid batteries are European recycling champions!

In fact, the recycling rate is 100%, higher than aluminium cans, glass or waste paper!

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E-mobility
That's why lead-acid batteries are so relevant!
Electromobility is a megatrend of the future, especially for short distances. When people think of electric cars, they first think of the lithium-ion drive battery, but they tend to overlook the fact that every electric car is also equipped with a 12V lead-acid on-board battery.

Lead-acid batteries are a component of electromobility.

When it comes to electric vehicles, everyone first thinks of the installed high-voltage drive battery in lithium-ion technology, whose nominal voltage is usually between 288 volts and over 400 volts! The first electric car equipped with 800 V on-board voltage is the Porsche Taycan (Mission E concept). Formula E relies on a 900V system!

It is often overlooked that every electric vehicle, without exception, is also equipped with a 12V lead-acid battery. After all, no electric vehicle can do without a lead-acid battery to support and supply the on-board network. In addition to forward-looking start-ups, well-known car manufacturers such as the BMW Group also rely on lead-acid batteries for their on-board power supply. For example, the on-board network of the fully electric BMW i3 is stabilised by a lead-acid battery from Banner, which supplies the 12-volt consumers in the car.

Technically, conventional batteries are used, but depending on the electric vehicle manufacturer, EFB or AGM batteries are also used. EFB = Enhanced Flooded Battery, cycle-resistant starter battery AGM = Absorbent Glass Mat, the acid is absorbed by the glass wool and thus bound.

 

Replacing the on-board battery - Depending on the EV manufacturer, the backup battery must be replaced every 2-3 years during the annual service period. It is a safety-relevant component. Assuming that the high-voltage system is switched off for safety reasons at night on a motorway at 130 km/h, for example, the backup battery must continue to reliably supply the vehicle lighting! At the latest when the error message "Check ELEC system" appears in the display of the on-board computer, usually in conjunction with the red battery warning light, it is time to think about replacing the buffer battery.

 

Good to know - Depending on the EV manufacturer, the 12 V starter and on-board battery are always charged during the charging process of the high-voltage battery - i.e. regardless of the state of charge (SOC State Of Charge) - or only when the high-voltage battery is about 80 % charged. A look at the operating instructions of the respective electric vehicle can be helpful.

 

Caution - Never install a conventional wet battery in an electric vehicle that is equipped with EFB or AGM batteries as standard. EFB or AGM batteries may have to be used again! In the same housing and similar performance class. PS: Small capacity deviations or cold starts have no influence on the safe and optimal on-board current!

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The best tips before or during a battery breakdown
This is how you avoid mistakes!
If you do not ignore warning signs, but react in time, you can usually avoid or remedy an annoying battery breakdown.

Often, starting problems become noticeable even before total failure. Common signs are:

- The starter (starter motor) works only sluggishly and can no longer start the engine.

- Often the noise the starter makes when trying to start the engine indicates that the battery is weakening.

- The charge indicator light begins to flicker.

- In the worst case, only a "clack" can be heard when starting the engine, triggered by the magnetic switch on the starter (starter motor). As optimists, we do not want to assume that this is the case!

 

How do starting problems become noticeable?

 

1. All lights in the cockpit remain off

Possibility 1 - Do you leave electrical devices (e.g. lights or radio) on all night? Then the battery has simply discharged. Start with a booster and charge the battery with a suitable charger.

Possibility 2 - You do not leave any devices switched on? After a quick start and charging the battery, it quickly loses power again. The battery may be defective and needs to be replaced. PS: A battery test at your trusted workshop provides reliable information about the condition of the battery and the on-board electrical system (e.g. regulator voltage).

 

2. Cockpit lights are on, but the starter does not rotate

Possibility 1 - The battery is too weak. Jump start and recharge with a charger. If the battery discharges again within a short time, look for hidden consumers. Troubleshooting tip: Measure the battery current with the ignition off. Pull the fuses, one by one, until you find the culprit. If this seems too complicated, go to a workshop and have it checked there.
Possibility 2 - The starter motor is stuck and the solenoid switch is not working. One symptom would be that the battery is low. The lights, fan and partners are working properly. A proper tap on the starter solenoid switch can now work wonders and usually ensure a successful engine start. In the worst case, this method only works once and the solenoid switch or the entire starter motor still needs to be replaced.

 

3. Cockpit lights, starter motor only starts the engine tiredly

Possibility 1 - Many short trips. The driving distance is not sufficient to fully charge the battery. Switch off non-essential power consumers. Drive longer distances - if necessary, charge your battery in an environmentally friendly manner at a charger.

Possibility 2 - The charging indicator is always flashing or lit. The regulator in the alternator could be the culprit, have it checked and replaced at the workshop if possible. Brush wear test: If the light goes out after you tap the regulator, the brushes are worn.

Possibility 3 - The V-belt squeals and the alternator cannot produce full power as a result. Tension or replace the V-belt while checking if the alternator moves slightly. In most cases, this is done by specialists in the workshop.

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