[Auto] YOUR QUARANTINE CAR : SHOULD THE BATTERY BE DISCONNECTED?

[Dr.Drako]

We kicked off a series of installments on what can happen to cars during mandatory quarantine and what to do to minimize damage.

By José Clopatofsky
 

I would say that, in principle, it is not necessary to disconnect the battery and it is better to avoid surprises because when the power of the car is cut, many functions can be deprogrammed such as the radio settings and in general of the entire audio system, the seat memories , alarms, access codes when they exist and other services that depend on the battery generating a tiny dose of energy to keep them awake. Furthermore, it is not ruled out that some circuits of the complex electronic network rebel.

The battery is discharged daily to a rat of 0.24% of its capacity, then it must withstand many days with sufficient reserve.

In any case, if the battery in the last few days has shown weaknesses when starting the engine and you are not sure of its vitality, then it is worth taking two precautions: disconnect it and, above all, keep on hand some Start because the time may come when there is not enough electricity to activate the vehicle.

Disconnecting it is not a complicated task, but be careful not to hit the terminals and do not try to loosen the terminal by making lateral forces that can twist the pole that is anchored in the bottom of the batteries and can break, collapsing them for life. Turning it slightly is enough.

Any terminal that disconnects isolates the battery but the usual thing is to drop the negative that could identify if you are not sure of the wiring, there are no signs or there are no colors on the terminals and terminals, because this is thinner than the positive.
 

It is better to play with the negative because many times the batteries are places of difficult access and when loosening the nuts and mani[CENSORED]ting the tools it is very evident to touch the body and if it is the positive, then a monumental spark comes because it makes mass and closes the live circuit.
 

It will not electrocute you but it can cause damage to the car, the tool and an additional scare that is not appropriate these days. Never leave loose tools on top of the battery.

If you notice very light sparks when you release the terminal, touch the original post with the cable again and if this repeats it means that there is some slight consumption in the circuits of the car, such as an interior light that stays on and the like. Check that topic well because if something drains the battery, in those quiet conditions the time will come when it dies.
 

Obviously be careful that the tools do not connect both terminals or leave things lying around that can short circuit.
Finally, when reconnecting, try to take the opportunity to clean the terminal and terminal well with a soft sandpaper, if you have it, or failing that with bicarbonate diluted in water and if you are in this exercise, take advantage and clean both contacts.

The current batteries are maintenance free and sealed, so the internal liquid that is demineralized water is not replaced by nothing less than sulfuric acid, which is poison.

 

If the battery has removable lids for each glass, check the level of the liquid that should be just covering the plates and if necessary add the special water for it or the distilled from the drugstore.
 

Do not exceed this level because it causes damage to the battery and it will breathe by throwing liquid, therefore acid, and more problems will come.