Aftermarket experts are beginning to realize that short battery life in fleet vehicles may be due to incorrect selection of the vehicle's alternator.
Over the years, the work of the alternator has become more difficult. In the past, the average heavy-duty vehicle could operate efficiently on 40 amps of electrical current, which was enough to power the heating, fuel and lighting systems. Fast forward to today and that limit is rapidly advancing to 100 amps of current – making the draw on the alternator greater than ever.
In addition to powering things like heated seats, audio systems, power steering, air injection pumps, and steering and brake controls, the alternator (also called a “generator”) helps power high-end aftermarket accessories and such add-ons. such as subwoofers and video displays.
In a heavy vehicle, the alternator and battery work together as a team to keep everything running smoothly during operation. The battery is a chemical storage provider and starts the charging cycle by using chemical energy to move the engine and provide electrical power to the alternator. The alternator, which is the electro-mechanical player of the group, takes over by using the engine's torque to generate enough electrical energy to help keep the engine and the vehicle's accessories running smoothly. At the same time, the alternator also works to replenish the current drawn from the battery for starting.
Overall, the battery and alternator maintain the system's voltage at levels that allow the vehicle's electrical systems to properly manage the vehicle's performance. If the alternator has a low output and cannot keep the battery fully charged during periods of high accessory use at low engine speeds, the battery will drain slowly. This can lead to reduced battery life and performance.
Checking the condition of the battery is a very important step in diagnosing any alternator problem and finding the right balance between the two components to keep the car running smoothly.
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EnerSys, a world leader in energy storage solutions for industrial applications, designs, manufactures and distributes energy systems solutions and dynamic energy batteries, specialty batteries, battery chargers, power equipment, battery accessories and outdoor enclosure solutions to customers around the world. The company goes to market with four business lines: Energy Systems, Dynamic Power, Specialty and New Ventures. Energy Systems, which includes power conversion, power distribution, energy storage, and closed spaces, is used in the telecommunications, broadband and utility industries, uninterruptible power supply, and many applications that require stored energy solutions. Motive batteries and chargers are used in electric forklift trucks and other industrial electric vehicles. Specialty batteries are used in aerospace and defense applications, portable power solutions for the military in the field, heavy duty off-road trucks, advanced automotive applications, medical and security systems. New Ventures provides energy storage and management systems for a variety of applications including demand reduction, energy conservation, and rapid charging of electric vehicles. EnerSys also provides aftermarket and customer support services to its customers in more than 100 countries through its global sales and manufacturing facilities. More information about EnerSys can be found at www.enersys.com.
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