The exact number varies depending on the vehicle with larger cars requiring larger batteries (and subsequently more voltage) than smaller cars. However, most car batteries today come in between 550 and 1,000 amperes.
Like any other battery, a car battery provides electrical currents. It feeds the starter, which then starts up the engine.
Even when the engine runs, the battery supplies power to other items within the vehicle with the help of the alternator. This keeps the electric output between 13.5 and 14.5 volts.
An amp hour is a rating you find with deep cycle batteries. It permits you to measure the amps through how long it lasts between individual charges.
As an example, say your battery's amp hour is 100Ah. This means that over the course of 20 hours, your battery provides 5 amps of power.
To test how good your car's battery is, you need a battery load tester. Larger cars may require an industrial-size version of the tester. You can find these at many auto shops.
Follow the directions or have a mechanic connect it for you. It's recommended to have someone do it for you if you've never done it before. Improper usage can result in battery acid leaking.
The device will provide you with a reading on your car's battery amps.
Yes, the battery's amp rating changes over time. Vibrations, heat, and normal wear and tear reduce its overall capacity.
At 100 percent capacity, your car battery may have 1,000 amperes. If it degrades to 25 percent capacity, then you would only have 250 amperes. Many engines for small cars require at least 300 amps to start, so at that rate, your car wouldn't be able to get going.
The exact rate at which it decreases depends on how much and often you use the battery. This is why most batteries tend to die between 5 and 7 years.
And as time goes on, batteries become weaker. You should change it when you notice the signs of battery failure, or else you may end up on the side of the road with a dead car.
There are several symptoms of a bad car battery. However, many of these signs could indicate a different issue. If you notice the following problems combined, then it's likely a problem with your battery.
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