The Canadian Farmer Almanac’s experience-driven formula for weather prediction is historically accurate 80% of the time. This winter 2019 is supposed to be unusually cold with bone-chilling temperatures in February. Why is this important? It’s because no other part of a commercial truck is as failure-prone in cold weather than a starter battery.
Batteries Don’t Perform Well In Cold Weather
The reason that batteries don’t perform well in cold weather is that the electrolyte in the battery and the oil in the truck engine are thicker. During cold weather, starting an engine requires twice as much battery current. A battery loses 30% of its capacity at 0°C and 50% of its capacity at -30°C. That’s in addition to the draw on battery power that come from more accessories pulling power including wipers, lights and heaters.
Series 31 lead-acid batteries used in commercial trucks are an innovation wonder. Both for their sustainability, 99% of a lead acid battery is recyclable and the cost-efficient weight-to-energy ratio. The chemistry used to store electricity is virtually unchanged since it was invented by Gaston Plante in 1859. It’s the combination of transmitting electrons from sulfuric acid to lead coated plates which has been commercially available for well over a century. There have been improvements to the design including the concentration of acid to water in the electrolyte, the thickness of the plates and the amount of lead in the battery.
Consider Investing In A Better Batttery
Should you need to replace your battery this season, you may want to consider investing in a better battery. 80% of after-market batteries are starting batteries, this compares with 20% of the Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) distribution. Starter batteries are certainly less expensive and that’s because they contain less lead, the plates are thinner and the current is pulled from the surface of the plates. They don’t last as long and may fail at inconvenient times.
Dual-purpose batteries last longer because the plates are thicker and the energy is pulled from deeper in the plates. They’re built to deliver the cranking amperage required to get that sluggish truck started and the steady service for reliable, auxiliary power required for winter conditions. It’s especially beneficial for short-runs where the truck may not be running long enough to fully recharge the battery.
Now, I hope you have the insight to appreciate that the least expensive battery is not your best investment. Especially when up-time is more valuable than the pennies per day that a dual-purpose battery will cost upfront.
NOTE: If your battery is less than three years old, it should be tested to ensure that it has sufficient capacity.
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