Car & Truck Batteries

All about Car Batteries

At all Begley Auto Repair facilities along Manatee Avenue in Bradenton, Florida, we can help you choose the right car battery for your vehicle and lifestyle. Our staff will safely and professionally install your battery and get you back on the road.

Battery Car, Testing & Replacement

Even if you have the most meticulously maintained vehicle on the road, without a well maintained battery, your vehicle may not start or even allow you access to the vehicle. From power door locks to auto start systems, today’s vehicles rely on correct voltage and clean connections to allow today’s technology dependent vehicles to perform and take you to your destination.

Your car’s electrical system powers everything from the ignition and fuel systems to accessories such as your radio, headlights and wipers. The electrical system is, in turn, powered by the engine.

The following is a brief overview of the electrical system that makes transportation possible:

Battery

When your car’s engine is off, the battery provides the required power to the rest of the system, as well as during start-up (cranking). It also supplements the power from the charging system during periods of high demand. Composed of a series of lead plates submerged in a 35% sulfuric acid/65% water solution, your 12-volt battery houses a chemical reaction that releases electrons through conductors, producing electricity which is then channeled into your vehicle’s electrical system.

Charging System

The charging system is the life force of your vehicle’s electrical system, It consists of three main components: the belt-driven alternator, various electrical circuits, and a voltage regulator. The alternator supplies power to the electrical system and recharges the battery after your car has started. Just like it sounds, the voltage regulator controls the voltage, keeping it within the operating range of the electrical system.

Starting System

This system consumes more electrical power than any other component in your car. The starting system consists of three components which work in tandem: the ignition switch, the starter relay or solenoid, and the starter motor. The ignition switch controls the starter solenoid, which activates the starter motor. The starter motor then turns the engine until your car starts.

Here’s how it works:

Turning the ignition causes a small amount of current to pass through the starter relay, causing a stronger current to flow through the battery cables and into the starter motor. The starter motor cranks the engine, forcing the piston to create enough suction that draws a fuel and air mixture into the cylinder. The ignition system creates a spark that ignites the mixture and your engine starts.