At the height of summer, it can be difficult to imagine the freeze of winter coming in a few months’ time. Yet those ‘I want to stay in bed a little longer’ mornings will return as sure as Earth rotates around the Sun. Lead acid batteries are also a bit more sluggish when it is cold. Are you wondering, will the lead battery last through winter in the boat, or car, or stair lift? If so, here are some simple tests that you could do yourself.
Will the Lead Battery Last?
Starter batteries are essential components in cars and boats. As is the case with stair lifts, we assume they will last forever. Unfortunately this is not the case, even though lead batteries are among the most reliable, long-lasting battery designs.
Therefore, we need to know before the time of battery failure. Then our car, or boat, or stair lift electrics would not leave us stranded. Fortunately, lead batteries degenerate gradually, and provide helpful clues. For example, we may detect a ‘rotten egg’ smell when we inspect them. This is a sign some water in the electrolyte has evaporated, disturbing the ratio to the sulfuric acid.
More Warning Signs the Battery May Not Last the Winter
However, will the lead battery last through winter if there is no sulfur smell? Perhaps, but there are other things to watch for. One of these is slow cranking when starting the motor of the car or boat. This could be a battery or a charging problem. Best have a battery electrician check your system out.
There should be a low-battery-warning lamp on the dashboard of your stair lift, boat, or car. Never disregard this important piece of information. If it lights up, the chances are 99% you have a battery related problem.
Therefore, your answer to the question “will the lead battery last much longer?” is when did you last test it? And are any of those three warning signs present? If this is the case, we recommend you take action soon, before the battery stops working completely and lets you down.
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