DIY: How to change your car’s battery

By NYC 14 hours ago

Every car needs one

Our cars have 2 main sources for electricity, first is the battery, which supplies power as soon as its connected; and secondly an alternator which charges the battery while providing a constant slightly higher supply of electricity when the engine is running. Most batteries last a little more than a year, and when the time comes a replacement is unavoidable.

“What’s My Battery” by Century

Some battery manufacturers have online applications to help users identify the correct battery model according to the car. Of course a much simpler way is to bring the battery to the shop for a new unit of the exact same specification.

On top of that some shops will accept the depleted unit as trade-in, sparing you a few Ringgit while relieving you the effort of disposing it properly due to its hazardous contents. Here are some instructions on how to remove and reinstall a car battery for most cars.

Tools

• Anti-rust, eg. WD40, RP7 or homemade baking soda and water solution to clean the terminals
• Spanners, adjustable wrench or adjustable pliers for the connecting bolt and nut removal
• Rags or some old newspapers for cleaning

Removal

1. With engine turned off, loosen the bolt and nut on the negative terminal. You might need a spanner or plier to hold the other end at the beginning of the process
2. Lift the clamp off the terminal
3. Repeat steps 1 and 2 for the positive terminal
4. Loosen the nuts of the holding-plate or bar that fastens the battery onto its base
5. If the battery has built in handles, use it to lift and remove the depleted battery. If otherwise, get a firm grip, preferably at its bottom with both hands before lifting it as the battery weighs a few kilograms.
6. Once the battery has been removed, clean both positive and negative clamps with anti-rust from oxidants, oil and rust.

Battery terminal clamp

New battery installation

1. With the location of both positive and negative terminal aligned, place the new battery firmly into its seating position.
2. Reinstall the holding-plate and make sure the battery is firmly held in place.
3. Slide in and tighten the positive clamp firmly over the positive terminal, before repeating it onto the negative terminal
4. Spray some anti-rust onto the terminals as a protective layer against oxidation. Some people might suggest coating them with a layer of white lithium grease for the same purpose.
5. Lastly place the terminal cover over the positive clamp and terminal if available.

Picture from Century Battery Malaysia

Changing battery diy

How Do Fuel Powered Cars Work?

March 4, 2012 by Joanna
Filed under: Green Drives

An essential exodus from a car that runs on a conventional combustion engine represents the fuel cell technology which was adopted by the automobile world. It is a new approach to power a car while using traditional technology. Cars can now operate on hydrogen or other renewable fuel instead of running on gasoline which are scarce. Therefore, to counter the shortage in oil, car manufacturer had come about this new creation and practise it on passenger cars, delivery trucks, buses, military vehicles and lift trucks. The aim for this creation/ production is to minimise the dependency of transportation on oil.

The foundation of a fuel powered car are somewhat the same as electric vehicles, the only difference is that power/ energy can be released as an effect of connection between gasses rather then depending on the batteries installed to supply sufficient energy that is required to operate the car’s motor. Energy that is generated refers to the electricity that is produced due to the coalition and chemical reaction between hydrogen and oxygen. However, only one resort of such reaction is not sufficient, therefore car manufacturer had slip in few fuel cells as the main power source of a vehicle.

Image courtesy of 3wheelssvehicle.com

The power system of a fuel cell consists of an electric motor, a battery, a hydrogen tank and a fuel cell stack. After some chemical reaction between hydrogen and oxygen in the fuel cell stack, electricity can be produced which in return will move the car’s wheel and launch the car forward. The battery however acts as a backup powered source for the vehicle. Besides, regenerative braking is being used in a fuel cell powered car where the motor will evoke energy generated while slowing down or stopping and uses such energy to charge the battery. It acts as a life cycle to keep the energy going, thus allowing the car to move forward without any problems.

Hydrogen can be refueled in hydrogen fueling station similar to the conventional petrol station which will be set up when the demand for such usage increases. As documented, in southern California during 2003, an experimental home fueling station was built to collect hydrogen from natural gasses and allows drivers to refuel right from their garage.

Image courtesy of hydrogenthusiast.com

Since 2008, two major automobile makers had tested their fuel cell passenger vehicle namely the Chevrolet Equinox and the Honda FCX. According to Honda, the FCX can runs up to 240miles before needing to refuel while the Chevrolet is able to reach 100mph and runs up to 200 miles before the next refuel. Both are still in the stage of testing, so stay tune for more information and news about the new and improved version of fuel cell powered car!

Image courtesy of blog.norcalcars.com