Not all automotive batteries are created equally, and getting the correct battery for your needs can take some research. The physical battery size is just one part of the equation, and knowing what else is necessary when choosing automotive batteries is an important place to start.
Battery Groups
As you begin to look for automotive batteries, you will find many different options that can be referenced by the battery group number. The battery group offers a lot of basic information to the savvy battery tech, but for people who don't work with them regularly, it can be challenging to understand.
Often the battery group number refers to the physical size of the battery, the voltage and amperage it uses, and the position of the battery posts or connectors on it. Using the battery group size for your vehicle can make it much easier to get the correct car battery, and install it without problems.
If your vehicle has modifications, the battery group rating may no longer apply, but it is a good starting point when you need new automotive batteries. The group number for the battery already in your vehicle should be printed on the label that is fixed to the old battery, but on older parts, it may be hard to read.
Battery Voltage
Automotive batteries are commonly manufactured for twelve-volt electrical systems, so starting there will often get you started. There are twenty-four-volt automotive batteries on the market, as well as, some six volts batteries, but typically these are used in specialty applications for heavy trucks like semis that have large diesel power plants.
If you are unsure what your battery voltage is, you can test it with a volt meter or have the shop doing the car battery installation test it for you. Testing the output voltage of the battery may offer some insight into the problem if the battery is not working, and a lower than expected voltage could indicate an internal short inside the automotive battery that creates a failure in the system.
Battery Exchanges
When you take the old battery out of your vehicle, you can take it to a shop that sells automotive batteries and match the size, shapes, and mounting locations up to decide what will fit your vehicle. When you purchase the new battery, leaving the old one behind to satisfy the battery core exchange is a good option, The difference in price for a battery core may only be a few dollars. However, for rare or hard-to-find batteries, it can be almost as much as the battery cost to encourage people to return the cores for the manufacturer to reuse in part or completely when manufacturing new automotive batteries.
To learn more about automotive batteries, contact an automotive service in your area.