There are a few issues that are more frustrating than a car battery that seems to drain faster than expected. The culprit? A weak or poorly maintained battery. A common headache that can leave you stranded and cause delays on your journey. Let’s shed some light on the question, how do I stop my battery from draining so fast, and explore reasons for battery discharge such as weather and improper use. This blog has the solution to always have your battery juiced up and ready to go.
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Understand Battery Drain – How to Stop Battery From Draining Fast?
In the world of automobiles, daily commuters have become accustomed to getting into their cars, cranking the engine and driving off, with a second thought. The car battery plays a hero here by providing the engine with the necessary electric power to spin it to life at the turn of the ignition key.
However, there will come a time when your vehicle just won’t’ start due to a drained battery. Every time you drive, the car battery gets recharged by the alternator to keep its power levels optimum. If for some reason, there is a problem with the electrical system, the battery will not recharge properly and be left with zero charge after a drive. Preventing a start, the next time you get in the car. There are several other reasons why a battery may discharge or drain quickly such as cold temperatures, a blown fuse, leaving the accessories or lights on, etc.
Battery drain is a common challenge, so let’s take a sneak peak into the world of car batteries.
The Crucial Role of a Battery and Why is My Car Battery Drained Out?
Your car’s battery is a silent powerhouse that is responsible for an array of essential functions within the vehicle. From starting the engine to operating headlights, infotainment systems, air conditioning, central locking, power-adjusted seats and so on. With the battery, you can drive in comfort, safety, and convenience.
Have you ever wondered how a simple battery in your car works and what to do if your car battery is down?
When you insert the key and turn it (modern cars have a push start button), the car battery supplies a burst of electrical energy to the starter motor. The starter motor drives the flywheel which is connected to the engine’s crankshaft and initiates engine rotation. As the engine starts running, fuel and sparks create combustion that keeps the process going until you switch the engine off.
Once the engine starts running, the car’s electrical system switches from battery power to alternator power. The alternator is a generator that is driven by the engine. Its responsibility is to power the vehicle’s electrical systems and recharge the battery simultaneously. The battery alone would not be able to sustain the electrical demands of the vehicle for an extended period of time. That’s why if the alternator has a problem, the battery will not be recharged properly and will drain out completely.
The alternator spins the mechanical energy of the engine to produce AC that is converted to DC by a rectifier circuit. The DC current is used to power the vehicle’s electrical system and recharge the battery simultaneously.
Systems like the stereo, headlights, power windows and more draw power from the alternator while running. When you switch your car off, the alternator turns off, and the vehicle will need the battery (which has been charged by the alternator sufficiently) to power any onboard electrical systems. At this point, if you keep the lights or stereo on for a long time, the car battery drains fast without help from the alternator. It is best to switch off all onboard electrical systems once the car is turned off.
Learn ways to recharge your battery at home in this step-by-step guide.
Common Culprits of Battery Drain – What to Look Out for?
Let’s look at common reasons that cause a car battery to drain.
1. Power is Drawn From Certain Equipment
Some clock displays, anti-theft alarms, dash cams and even the car’s computer system can draw a small amount of power. If the car is not used for a long time, the battery could get drained.
2. Faulty Charging System
If the alternator is not functioning properly, it will fail to recharge the battery while the car is running. This will result in car battery power drain which could leave you stranded.
3. Corroded or Loose Battery Terminals
Poor contact in the battery terminals can impede the flow of electricity through the vehicle’s system. As a result, the battery will not charge properly and you could have a car battery drain after 2 days, maybe even sooner.
4. Leaving Interior Lights on Accidentally
What will cause a car battery to drain overnight? Ambient lighting or other accessories that are left on after parking a vehicle can lead to a complete battery drain when you return to the car afterwards.
5. Extreme Temperatures
You may be wondering why car battery drain fast in winter. Freezing cold can affect your car battery’s performance while scorching heat can alter chemical reactions within the battery, causing it to lose charge more quickly.
6. Aftermarket Accessories
Parasitic drain occurs when aftermarket devices like audio systems, GPS units, or alarms draw power from the battery even when the car is turned off. This leads to a gradual discharge.
7. Long Periods of Inactivity
If your vehicle is parked for an extended time without being driven, the battery can gradually lose charge, even if all systems have been turned off. Small amounts of current flow through terminals even when the devices are switched off.
8. Old or Weak Battery
A well-maintained battery loses its capacity to hold charge over time. The chemical and physical properties of modern batteries allow them to be charged/discharged only a certain number of times. After this point, they lose their charging life and will have to be replaced by a new battery. You will notice that the battery drains very quickly or takes a long time to recharge once it is weak.
9. A Short Drive Provides for Incomplete Charging
Frequent short runs to the shops and back home may not provide enough time for the alternator to fully recharge the battery, leading to charge loss over time.
10. Forgotten Devices Left on
Smartphones left charging or a portable vacuum cleaner you’ve forgotten about can drain the battery if the engine has been switched off.
Preserving Power and Strategies to Prevent Battery Drain: What to Do if Car Battery is Down?
If you are grappling with battery drain issues, fear not. These solutions will guide you to keep your battery power intact whenever you need it.
Detect and Disable Devices
Investigate components that may be drawing power when your car is parked. Switch of interior lights, alarms and other aftermarket devices that have added on electric connections. Disabling these devices or using a battery disconnect switch can save your battery.
Check Battery Terminals and Secure the Connections
Battery terminals should be free of corrosion and properly secured. Clean the terminals with WD-40 and a soft brush and apply a little Vaseline or petroleum jelly to prevent moisture and corrosion.
Alternator Assessment
Inspect the alternator’s performance. It should produce around 12V-14V while the engine is running. If you notice headlights are dimming or difficulty in cranking the engine to start, consult a vehicle electrician.
Avoid Short Trips
Take the long route whenever you can. You may use a bit more fuel, but at least your alternator has enough time to recharge the battery. Adequate charging time keeps the battery healthy.
Disconnect Devices When Parked
Remove phone chargers from sockets, and disconnect any other devices that could draw power from your car’s battery. These include dash cams as well (unless they are equipped with a parking mode).
Drive Regularly
Consider taking your car for a spin every once in a while, to maintain battery health. Don’t leave it parked for more than a week. If you are leaving town, unplug car battery to prevent drain.
Shelter Your Vehicle From the Weather
Extreme cold and heat can strain your car battery. Try to park in a garage or in the shade to mitigate the impact of varying temperatures.
Schedule Battery Maintenance Checkups
Check on your battery’s health as often as possible. Ask a professional technician to check voltage and charging times.
Invest in a High-quality Battery
When you have to replace your battery, choose one from a reputable brand such as Exide, Amaron, etc. They offer good performance and reliability.
Seek Profession Help
If you are unsure why your battery is draining, don’t hesitate to call a mechanic. Their expertise can save you time, effort and potential further issues.
A good car battery drain fix is to invest in a portable battery charger. These battery-charging devices cost around Rs.4000 and are extremely convenient.
Conclusion
We hope this blog answered your burning question, ‘car battery down, what to do?’. By identifying common causes of battery drain, you can take proactive steps to ensure your battery is always fully charged. Regular maintenance, attention to detail and awareness of these factors can go a long way in preserving your battery’s health and prolonging its lifespan.
By implementing this battery drain solution, you can enjoy the peace of mind that comes with a reliable power source. Taking the proper steps to preserve your car battery’s health will undoubtedly enhance your driving style.
Read more amazing articles on the Carorbis blog today. You can find the latest automotive news, how-to guides, car comparisons and much more on car and bike accessories on the Carorbis Blog.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q1. How Do I Stop My Battery From Draining So Fast?
Ans. Check the alternator and battery condition. Disconnect all devices like smartphones and drive your car often.
Q2. What To Do When Car Battery Is Down?
Ans. Use a portable charger to recharge it. Otherwise, you will have to replace the battery.
Q3. What To Do If Car Battery Is Drained?
Ans. Ask a technician to inspect the battery. Sometimes, they can revive an old or weak battery.
Q4. What Has My Car Battery Draining While Parked?
Ans. Due to parasitic losses, connected devices such as smartphone chargers and due to the nature of batteries to drain over time without use.
Q5. Does Car Battery Drain Faster In Cold?
Ans. Cold temperatures can affect the battery’s chemical composition and cause it to drain quickly.
Q6. How To Prevent Car Battery Drain In Cold Weather?
Ans. Park your car in a garage and keep the hood insulated from cold temperatures.
Q7. Why Car Battery Drain Fast?
Ans. As the car battery gets old, it starts to drain fast. There also could be issues with the alternator not charging it.
Q8. How To Drain Car Battery Quickly?
Ans. Just switch the car off and use the stereo or keep the interior lights and headlights on. The battery will drain quickly, in around 15 minutes.
Q9. What Could Be Causing Car Battery To Drain?
Ans. Devices draining power, dashcams left on while parked, inactive vehicles that are parked for long, faulty charging system or alternator, corroded battery terminals, extreme temperatures, old or worn-out batteries and more such causes.
Q10. Can A Bad Fuse Cause Car Battery To Drain?
Ans. Yes, a bad fuse can prevent the battery from charging properly and cause it to drain quickly as a result.
Q11. Is It Bad For A Car Battery To Drain Completely?
Ans. The car battery will undergo minor damage if drained completely. It is recommended to charge it before it reaches zero charge.
Q12. How To Diagnose Car Battery Drain?
Ans. Apply a voltmeter across the battery terminal and check if it is in the recommended range when the engine is switched off and while it is running.
Q13. Does Draining A Car Battery Damage It?
Ans. Yes, the electrolyte and battery terminal will get damaged if the battery is constantly getting drained.
Q14. Why Does Car Battery Drain When Not In Use?
Ans. Electricity flows through the terminals even when the car is off and all devices are disconnected. Small charges flow through the electric wires and cause parasitic loss which is a natural phenomenon.
Q15. Why Does Car Battery Drain Overnight?
Ans. Batteries that drain overnight are usually caused by a faulty alternator, weak battery or device left on in the car.
Q16. How Much Car Battery Drain Is Normal Overnight?
Ans. 5-10% battery drain overnight is considered normal.
Q17. How Long Does Car Battery Take To Drain?
Ans. A battery could drain in a couple of minutes just by attempting to start a failing engine. Otherwise, it could take hours to drain a battery by leaving a small interior light on in a parked car.
Q18. How To Check Car Battery Drain With Test Light?
Ans. Use a voltmeter and ammeter to check the voltage and current flowing through the battery. A test light will flash a bulb at the end of a screwdriver even if the battery has a small amount of charge in it.
Q19. How To Detect Car Battery Drain?
Ans. If you notice car headlights dimming, difficulty in starting, AC or stereo malfunctioning or that battery light on your instrument cluster coming on, it could mean the battery is drained.
Q20. Does Car Battery Drain When Not In Use?
Ans. Yes, a battery in a parked car will eventually drain to zero charge. If left in this state, the battery may start to leak and get damaged permanently.
Q21. Can A Car Battery Drain Itself?
Ans. Batteries drain by themselves if not recharged on a regular basis.
