How Excessive Heat Affects Battery Posts

When it comes to maintaining your vehicle’s battery, understanding the impact of excessive heat is crucial. One common issue that arises from excessive heat is the melting of battery posts. But what exactly causes a battery post to melt? The answer is simple: Excess Heat.

Excessive heat can wreak havoc on your battery, causing the posts to melt and leading to a range of other issues. Let’s delve into the specifics of how this happens and what factors contribute to the generation of excessive heat.

Key Contributors to Excessive Heat in Battery Posts

Dirty and Corroded Terminals

Dirty and/or corroded terminals are primary creators of excess heat. When terminals are dirty or corroded, they create excessive heat when passing current. This is because the electrical resistance increases, forcing the battery to work harder to maintain the flow of electricity. Over time, this added strain can cause the battery posts to heat up and eventually melt.

Corrosion in Battery Cables

Corrosion in battery cables is another significant factor. When a battery cable is exposed to battery gasses and open air, corrosion can spread throughout the cable. This corrosion impedes the flow of electricity, creating additional resistance and heat. As the heat builds up, it can lead to the melting of battery posts.

Discharged Batteries

A discharged battery must move more amperage to make up for lower voltage. This increased amperage generates more heat as the battery works harder to provide the necessary power. This excessive heat can accumulate around the battery posts, causing them to melt under the strain.

Bad Starters Pulling Too Much Amperage

Starters with worn internal components require more current (amperage) to do the same job a good starter can accomplish with less current. This additional demand for amperage increases the heat generated within the battery system. The constant high demand can lead to the melting of battery posts over time.

Inadequate Components for the Application

Using components not designed to carry enough current for the application is another common cause of excessive heat. Smaller cables at longer distances require higher voltage to push the current to the other end. Since copper is a valuable material, some may opt for smaller cable thickness to save money. However, this can force the other components to work harder to do the same job, generating excessive heat and causing the battery posts to melt.

Preventive Measures

Understanding these causes highlights the importance of regular battery maintenance and using the right components for your vehicle. Here are some preventive measures:

• Regular Cleaning: Ensure that your battery terminals are clean and free of corrosion. Regularly check and clean the terminals to maintain a good connection and prevent excessive heat buildup.
• Inspect Cables: Regularly inspect your battery cables for signs of corrosion and replace any that show significant wear. This can help prevent the spread of corrosion and reduce the risk of excessive heat generation.
• Monitor Battery Charge: Keep your battery properly charged. Avoid allowing it to become excessively discharged, as this increases the demand for amperage and the subsequent heat generation.
• Check Starters: Ensure that your vehicle’s starter is in good condition. Replace worn starters to reduce the demand for high amperage and prevent excessive heat buildup.
• Use Proper Components: Always use components that are designed for your vehicle’s specifications. Avoid cutting costs by using undersized cables, as this can lead to excessive heat and damage to your battery posts.

Conclusion

Excessive heat is a significant factor in the melting of battery posts. By understanding the causes and taking preventive measures, you can help ensure the longevity and reliability of your vehicle’s battery. Regular maintenance and the use of appropriate components are key to preventing the damaging effects of excessive heat on your battery posts.

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At Texford Battery Co, we pride ourselves on being much more than just another battery specialist. We credit our seven decades of business growth and success to the unmatched service and expertise our team provides. Texford Battery Co is not simply a supplier – we helped pave the way for many innovations in the battery distribution industry that continue to keep prices competitive for our customers. Among them, we were a leader in the creation of the Battery Marketing Group in the 1970s. As a founding member of this national network of battery distributors and manufacturers, we are able to offer up to 10,000 of the industry’s top products to our customers at the lowest cost. Call us today!

Categorised in: Battery Issues, Battery Repair, Battery Service

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