We have put a charger on the car and the charge holds while the car is off. But when driving the car the battery drains in less than an hour. The alternator has been tested and shows to be good. The new battery has been tested and shows to be good. The head connectors for the battery have been changed. The problem is still occurring. What could the problem be?

You almost answered your own question. The fact of the matter is the battery is draining because of *lack of voltage. And what provides your battery with a re-charge of voltage? Your alternator.

How did they test it and what did they tell you? It’s pretty obvious it’s not charging between 13.5 - 14.0 volts with the engine running. Essentially the battery is used for starting, playing the radio with the engine off for a short period of time and four way-flasher use in emergencies. The alternator on the otherhand provides amperage to every electrical circuit in the car when the engine is running.

Here are some tips to maximize the <a href=”http://www.ipodenergy.com”> iPod’s battery </a> power so that long lasting:

1.  IPod batteries work best at room temperature (about 20 degrees Celsius), although in general can be used in temperature between 0-35 degrees Celsius. If you leave in place accidental cold, let down temperature as temperatures room before turn it on.
2.  Do not wait until your battery runs out to refill. Although not currently used, the iPod still eat the flow of electricity from the battery even though very small. This is what causes the battery is slowly become empty. iPod if you rarely use, recharge the batteries at least once every three weeks.
3.  Make sure your iPod have the latest software updates from Apple.
4.  If not used, always switch the button to slide the iPod Hold position to prevent the oppressive control the iPod accidentally.
5.  Do not use features backlight on the iPod, turn off the feature. You can set the live time through the options [Settings] > [Backlight Timer].
6.  IPod battery is made of Lithium Polymer, which has about 500 charging cycle times, too often do not refill the batteries. Should, or must first cover the additional chassis before charging the iPod.
7.  Make the album or a play list, and play music from there. The reason, if you frequently play the new tracks are not stored in the cache of the iPod, the iPod hard disk must revolve access to the song. The more often rotates, the larger the energy the batteries used.
8.  When the iPod is not used, disconnect the jack of headset.
9.  Save compression formats like MP3 and AAC on the iPod. Avoid file AIFF or WAV have a certain size that is not compressed and large. The format is indeed produce good quality sound, but the iPod’s hard drive must work harder to play. For information, the iPod’s cache works most efficiently with songs that the size of less than 9MB.
10. Use iPod regularly so that the electron-electron in Lithium batteries continues to move on.
11. Adding features EQ (Equalizer) to the playback will take a lot of power your iPod. Just turn off the feature when not needed. But if you want to add EQ to the track in itunes, make sure your EQ to save option [Flat] to turn it off.

These are the things that you need to remember about saving battery power in your iPod. By following these tips, you can be sure that you will be able to prolong your iPod’s battery life.

http://www.ipodenergy.com/

bonnieflorence
http://www.articlesbase.com/hardware-articles/tips-to-improve-ipods-battery-life-time-694746.html

Now that you’ve known the other car care basics, perhaps it’s time we take a look at the fluid essentials that are literally the life giving blood of your car.

1. Brake Fluid- Is a type of hydraulic fluid that is used in hydraulic brake applications of your car, motorcycles and trucks. This type of fluid is used to transfer force under pressure from its point of origin among hydraulic lines to the braking mechanism close to the wheels.

Most brake fluids today are composed of glycol-ether but several types with mineral oil and silicone composites are also out in the market. This type of fluid should meet stringent requirements set by organizations such as SAE and the US Department of Transportation (DOT) - hence you get ratings on labels such as SAE or DOT 3 and 4 compliance.

As a rule of thumb, brake fluid should always be replenished if the levels in its container decrease with every drive. Fluid level in the master cyclinder will drop as the linings, brake pads and shoes wear and the calipers extend further to compensate. Brake fluid level may also be low because of leaking, which can lead to loss of hydraulic pressure and the most dangerous- brake loss.

It is very important to constantly monitor your brake fluid levels to ensure safe driving and fill according to the set level. Flush and change your brake fluid every 1-2 years to further ensure reliability and take note to never mix brake fluids with different DOT ratings as this can result to poor fluid performance.

2. Power Steering – Is another type of hydraulic fluid that transmits the power steering system of cars, trucks and other modes of transportation.
This is the fluid that guards your power-steering pump and rack from wear and tear. It requires constant monitoring and refilling from time to time according to the required level in its cylinder.

A way to notice that your steering system is about to have a problem or that your power steering fluid is running low is when you turn the steering wheel and you hear whining noises. Have your car checked when this occurs to prevent serious damages to your power- steering system.

Note: There are products out in the market today that contain the combined properties of Power Steering and Automatic Transmission Fluids (ATF). Use any of these products to save and be protected more.

3. Battery Fluid- Is the electrolyte fluid found inside the cells of your battery. If you are using the regular type of battery and not the maintenance free one, then you are required to refill your battery cells from time to time with electrolyte fluid.

Standard battery for cars is 12V and usually has 6 individual cells inside it. To refill, simply remove the vent caps that can either be found on top or on the sides of the battery. Check and fill the electrolyte fluid inside.

Note: There are some brands of maintenance free batteries out in the market today that can run on dual power- meaning they also have vent caps for electrolyte fluids in case their power supply run out. Although this type of battery may not come cheap, it would be best for you to use it.

4. Radiator Coolant- Is a mixture of anti-freeze fluid and water designed to protect the radiator and cooling system all year round. Using one will protect your engine from overheating. Most coolant products out in the market today come with various additives that can further help you against rust and other forms of corrosion, lubricate or increase the cooling efficiency of your cooling system.

Simply pour out the contents of your coolant to the radiator reservoir. Add water to the set level and you’re done.

For maintenance, it is very important for you to drain and flush your coolant once a year (or depending on the product recommendations) and replace it with a new one.

Note: Never mix different types of coolant together as this can lead to damage or a reduction of your car’s cooling system. Before changing to another brand, be sure to drain and flush your cooling system of the old one.
See to it that the reservoirs of these fluids are in constant levels and refill when they’re not enough. Properly maintaining them will help ensure your safety and prolong the life of your car.

Buckle up and drive safely.

Jovir Amatong
<a href=”http://www.autoterminal.com”>jamatong@autoterminal.com</a>

Jovir
http://www.articlesbase.com/automotive-articles/knowing-the-blood-and-lifeline-of-your-cars-system-brake-power-steering-battery-and-radiator-coolant-fluids-679459.html

A personal laptop must have a high quality battery and a charger as one of the integral and most important components of this gadget. It is very crucial consideration while buying a laptop battery is that the batteries essential for a particular brand of laptop vary from batteries used for other brands of laptops. You must go with a laptop battery that has best ever life term for your equipment. Since a wide variety of laptop batteries available in the market with different technologies, a laptop should be considered especially for the kind of battery it uses.

Laptops are the electronic equipments popularly known for their unique power consuming capacity. They chomp through more electricity in compare to other equipments of the category. There are various reasons asserted for the short life of the laptop batteries. Temperature inside the laptop is one of the major factors that decide the battery life. When the temperature in the laptop reaches around 45°C, a battery loses half of its power when working. A laptop user must avoid to leaving a laptop in a car that is parked in the direct sun light because it results in severe battery damage.

While using laptop, you may think about some small however important cautions that can help in increasing the battery life of your laptop.

•    Reduce the brightness level and screen resolution of your laptop as it lays strain on the display card and therefore devours further power of your battery

•    When you are not using internet on your laptop try not to switch on Wi-Fi network as it adds more battery consumption

•    It must be avoided to remove battery manually as it may cause the entire battery discharge and leaves the battery damaged

•    Putting laptop on hibernate is a good battery saving technique as it saves the battery power comprehensively

•    Never try and charge your battery when its only half discharged, this will cause the battery not to charge properly.

•    Having the laptop on your lap most of the time rather on a flat surface may increase the battery temperature and damage the power life of your laptop battery

Old laptop batteries need to be replaced with new ones from time on appropriate times that gives better service and better value for money.

Article Manager
http://www.articlesbase.com/laptops-articles/laptop-battery-give-extra-power-to-the-gadget-714773.html

How to Calibrate laptop battery

After using for months, the battery get weak and cant fully discharge. Also in this situation the laptop battery’s 76% even less in work.Now we need to Calibrate laptop battery. I found a note about recondition laptop battery from HP manufacturer’s handbook. Surprisingly, it offered some really helpful laptop battery calibration and maintenance tips, which I’d like to share with you:

Calibrating a Battery Pack

When to Calibrate laptop battery
Even if a battery pack is heavily used, it should not be necessary to calibrate it more than once a month. It is not necessary to calibrate a new laptop battery pack before first use. However, make sure that the battery pack is fully charged, especially if it is the only power source.

Calibrate laptop battery pack under the following conditions:
? When the battery status display seems inaccurate.
? When you observe a significant change in normal batteryrun time.
? When the battery pack has not been used for one monthor more.

How to Calibrate laptop battery
To Calibrate laptop battery pack, you must fully charge, fullydischarge, and then fully recharge the battery pack.

Charging the Battery Pack

Fully charge the battery pack when the notebook is in use. To charge the battery pack:
1. Insert the battery pack into the notebook.
2. Connect the notebook to external power through an AC adapter. (The battery light turns on.)
The battery light turns off when the battery pack is fully charged.

Discharging the Battery Pack

Disabling Hibernation
To fully discharge the battery pack, disable Hibernation temporarily.
To disable Hibernation:
? Select the Power Meter icon on the taskbar or access Power Options > Hibernate, and clear the Enable Hibernate support check box.

Discharging the battery Pack
After the battery light turns off, which indicates that the battery pack is fully charged, begin discharging the battery pack.

To fully discharge the battery pack:

1. Select the Power Meter icon on the taskbar, or select Start > Control Panel > Performance and Maintenance > Power Options > Power Schemes.
2. Write down the 3 settings in the Plugged In column and the
3. settings in the Running on Batteries column, so you can reset them after calibration.
4. Select the drop-down lists and set all 6 options in both columns to Never.
5. Select the OK button.
6. Disconnect the notebook from the external power source, but do not turn off the notebook.
7. Run the notebook on battery power until the battery pack is fully discharged. The battery light begins to blink when the battery pack has discharged to a low-battery condition. When the battery pack is fully discharged, the power/Standby light turns off and the notebook shuts down.

Recharging the Battery Pack

1. Connect the notebook to external power and keep the notebook connected until the battery pack is fully recharged and the battery light turns off.

?You can use the notebook while the battery pack is recharging, but the battery pack will charge faster if the notebook is turned off.


2. Select the Power Meter icon on the taskbar or select Start > Control Panel > Performance and Maintenance > PowerOptions > Power Schemes.
3. Reenter the 3 settings you wrote down for the 3 options in the Plugged In column and for the 3 options in the Running on Batteries column.
4. Select the OK button.

Now you already Calibrate laptop battery

The article is from : http://www.eastwoodzhao.com/maintaining-and-calibrating-a-laptop-battery-pack/
Trackback: laptop battery blog

Jack Smith
http://www.articlesbase.com/laptops-articles/how-to-calibrate-laptop-battery-724397.html

Tips to extend the life of notebook battery

There are many kinds of notebook battery,different types of batteries will certainly not the same.Now lithium-ion battery commonly used in laptop or similar products.Shortly before personal computers, A4-based notebook computers in the temporary use of the premise of using a nickel-metal hydride battery.Until the mid-nineties, using a nickel cadmium batteries.After the user has bought the notebook,first please read the operation manual,to confirm what kind of the battery,if does not have the instruction booklet,we can check the battery specifications through the home page of the notebook company.

The “memory effect” is the biggest problem of nickel-hydrogen batteries and nickel-cadmium batterie,if the battery has not run out on charge. When next time using the battery,there will be no power on that place started to charge.If circulates this process unceasingly,the battery’s life will become shorter and shorter.

Although the “momory effect” of  Ni-MH battery is smaller than nickel-cadmium battery,but the half-way charge repeated is  the reasons for shortening the life of battery.So please try to be all used up the battery before recharge.

Lithium-ion battery without the “memory effect”, so even the off half-way charging there will not be  too much a problem.

The method to extend the battery’s life.

Although the lithium-ion battery without “memory effect”, but improper use will greatly affect life expectancy. When use a lithium-ion battery should pay attention to the following points:

1,Fully charged state not to use AC power | Regulators drive;

2,Using the energy saving features;

3,Fully discharge once every few months;

4,Unplug the AC adapter,when the notebook not in use in a long period of time

lukechase
http://www.articlesbase.com/hardware-articles/tips-to-extend-the-life-of-notebook-battery-721054.html

The battery will be used to power a small fridge and a light.

use a deep cycle battery , that way you can run it dead and recharge it without harm.
I run an optima blue top and it’s been great

For those of you who are first time DIYs, the battery is one of the integral components of your car; it is rechargeable and is the power source of the ignition system and other electrical devices in your car.

Initially there’s the maintenance free and low-maintenance types to choose from. A maintenance free battery is sealed and will not require replenishing the battery fluids over a long period of time while the low-maintenance type requires constant check up and replenishing once a drop in battery fluid levels can be seen. Battery fluid (Alkaline) can easily be bought at local gas stations and car yards or you can use distilled water as a substitute.

In layman’s terms the battery is the heart of your car but is often times the most neglected simply because nowadays it’s bought “maintenance free.”

Recent trends and technological advancements have made maintenance free batteries a standard on every vehicle out in the market today.

Don’t get the impression that since you’ve read on the label that it’s maintenance free, you will just simply put it in its place and forget about it. Your car’s battery is not entirely that. Just like any other sensitive equipment of your car, it also requires your constant care and attention for it to function well.

Here are the basic maintenance tips that will certainly save you a lot of trouble and will not leave you clueless by the roadside while on a very important trip.

As a rule before doing maintenance checks, always see to it to disconnect the clamps off the terminals to avoid untoward injuries from shock.

1. Check the cell casing and cover

Run an ocular inspection on the battery cell casing, box and cover for signs of moisture and pungent acidic smell. These are indicators that your battery is leaking and it needs to be fixed or replaced right away.
Maintain caution when handling leaking batteries for hazardous chemicals are present.

2. Clean terminals, clamps and cables

When you happened to see white powdery specks or see colorful substances around the terminals, they are signs of corrosion and needs to be cleaned right away. Make a baking soda solution (1 tablespoon baking soda immersed in 1 cup of water) and with an old toothbrush, clean the terminals, clamps and cables. Also clean the battery cover for accumulated grime and dust.

3. Make sure everything is dry

Make it a point to have everything dry before going further with your check up. With a dry rag, wipe off the remaining dew and moisture from the battery and terminals.

4. Check the wiring and connection

Run a check on the wires and clamps for strips or corrosion. If you have stripped cables, patch the affected part with a good electrical tape or have them replaced by a mechanic. Make sure that the battery is placed securely in its place. If your battery is equipped with a hold down bar, be sure to replace it.

5. Lubricate the terminals

With a lubricant (Petroleum jelly) place a small dab on the terminals. This will keep your cables clean and free of corrosion longer, while making it easier for you to put the cables back on the battery terminal.

6. Change your battery

Change your battery at the maximum of 3 to 3.5 years or after reaching the warranty period. For accidental battery drain (Such as leaving the lights on or stereo on) a lot of auto technicians would just recommend re-charging.

Car battery maintenance is that easy! Do it frequently to extend the life of your battery.

Safe driving.

Jovir Amatong

<a href=”http://www.autoterminal.com”> jamatong@autoterminal.com </a>

<a href=”http://aboutheironwagon.blogspot.com”>All About the Iron Wagon </a>

Jovir
http://www.articlesbase.com/automotive-articles/maintaining-the-peak-performance-of-your-cars-battery-711614.html

A battery may count as a bit small, but in reality, it is one of the most crucial components of your car as it is the one that gives power to all electronic gadgets, components and the startup of your engine.

No matter how well maintained your car is, once you power it up with a low performance battery, it will eventually be left lifeless on the road. It is therefore important to outfit your car with the best battery around.

Recent developments of the vehicle industry has produced upgrades or modifications allowing batteries to keep up with the advanced features of models from various makers. Competition among the battery manufacturers also provides consumers with lower prices, improved battery life and more advanced features. All batteries now can be installed DIY!

Below are the simple how to’s to help you select the right battery for your car.

Finding a new battery

When looking for a new battery, always take note that prices may vary because of brand, features, quality and capacity.

If you’re looking for a brand that’s reliable, simply do a research online for the most popular or ask other car owners for the brands that they’re using.

The availability of new batteries is not a question nowadays; you can get hold of them at most car shops, service centers and auto supplies from urban areas up to the farthest countryside. Prices may vary but most shops provide discounts for customers who turn in their old batteries.

Provided you have the budget, see to it not to buy cheap batteries! You might think that you’re getting a bargain now but sooner or later, you will suffer as cheap batteries are poor in quality and will surely never last long.

Check your car manual or battery referral guides in automotive shops for factors such as group size, cold-cranking amps and cranking amps to properly guide you in your selection.

Group size- Refers to battery volume with the location of terminals (positive + and negative -) your manual indicates the group size required by your car’s model.

Cold Cranking Amps (CCA) - Refers to a battery’s ability in cold weather conditions. It is in situations such as these that the engine oil becomes thicker thereby making ignition difficult. You can tell how much electrical power your battery can provide to your car at zero degrees (F) by looking at its CCA rating.

Cranking Amps (CA) – Is the indicator of a battery’s power-capability.

Now that you know what to look for, it is then time for you to consider buying a battery based on preference leads such as:

Maintenance

You can select from maintenance free or a regular battery. I’d say go for the maintenance free type as you will not go through the hassles of constantly checking and refilling the battery electrolyte fluids.

Country climate and driving conditions

Select the battery that fits your country climate and driving condition. If you are living in a country with high temperatures, it is appropriate for you to select the battery type for a long life. Look for a tough housing that will protect the plates from easily corroding and provides protection against fluid evaporation.

Display date

Select the ones that are displayed fresh on the counter with no more than 6 months from their manufacture date.

Battery handles

For easy installation and pullout, select a battery that has a handle on it. You wouldn’t want to carry a 4-5 kilo box just by holding on to its sides now would you?

Follow these tips to land the perfect power for your ride. Drive safely.

Jovir Amatong

<a href=”http://www.autoterminal.com”>jamatong@autoterminal.com </a>

Jovir
http://www.articlesbase.com/automotive-articles/how-to-choose-the-right-kind-of-battery-for-your-car-711480.html

Flashlights can be an important part of a household. You simply never know when the electricity might go off or an emergency will take place. For emergency situations, outdoor activities or a backup in the car, a flashlight can play an important role. Traditional flashlights have not always been dependable. The batteries die quickly and without notice, the bulbs do the same and the light output fades without warning.

With LED technology, the world of flashlights has gotten a lot brighter. LED flashlights are one of the best investments in equipment you can make because they will last longer, be much more durable, and be even more dependable than regular flashlights. Many home owners and outdoor enthusiasts are choosing to replace their existing regular flashlights with LED versions because they have proven to be a more dependable, superior product that can be counted on.

LED flashlights have many useful and unique features. The bulbs are long lasting - most bulbs will last for a minimum of 60 hours of continuous use before needing to have the batteries changed. They are also built to withstand drops and extreme temperatures without effecting the light brightness or lifespan of the bulb. This durability is unmatched by traditional flashlights. With the longer bulb life and extreme durability, the health of your flashlight will be one less thing for you to worry about.

These handheld lights also put out an intense and bright light. The newest white LED lights measure 60 times brighter than standard flashlight bulbs. The light will stay bright and strong and will remain so until the battery and bulb start to run low - after several hundred hours of continuous use.

LED flashlights are also much more energy efficient than other types of flashlights. Batteries will last 10x longer in an LED flashlight than in any traditional flashlight because of the power efficiency of the technology. This means that fewer batteries will make their way into landfills every year. You can also use rechargeable batteries in these flashlights (many brands sell rechargeable batteries with their LED products) which results in never having to throw any batteries away.

LED flashlights are an important investment for you to make. Besides being good for the environment, they are good for your family. When the lights go out, or when you need to find light quickly, you don’t want to be worrying about whether or not your flashlight will come on. You may have a situation where you cannot afford to be hunting in drawers for fresh batteries or trying to find another flashlight that works. With LED flashlights, you can trust that they will work the first time, every time. They are durable as well, which means that whether you are taking them camping, throwing them in the trunk of your car, or simply shoving them in a kitchen drawer, they won’t break on you and will still be ready to use when you get around to pulling them out. For a quality investment that will help you protect your family, you should turn to LED flashlights.

~Ben Anton, 2008

Ben Anton
http://www.articlesbase.com/home-improvement-articles/led-flashlights-durable-reliable-and-efficient-325341.html