Battery Archives - A1 Emergency Roadside Service

August 13, 2022by Vivid Insights & Marketing

What You Need to Know About Semi Truck Battery Voltage

Semi truck batteries are notoriously different from the batteries found in most vehicles you’re used to driving. Not only are semi truck batteries much larger, but their voltage can vary significantly from one to another due to a variety of factors, including the age of the battery and how often it gets used. If you’re the owner or manager of a semi truck, or if you work at an auto shop that performs maintenance on large trucks, you need to know about this before you drive or ship your vehicle anywhere.

What is the Standard Voltage of a Semi Truck Battery?

The voltage of a semi truck battery depends on the kind of battery that it is. Commonly, lead acid batteries have a 12 volt range while AGM has a 14.4 voltage range. There are also Deep Cycle batteries which range from 4-100 volts with 4 being most common and 100 volts being used in heavy commercial settings like electric golf carts and construction equipment. Depending on the battery type, the system can either be direct-current or alternating current which corresponds to 12V DC or 24V AC respectively. In general, inverters are what transform one AC system into another in order to work together seamlessly depending on your needs at the time.

What Do I Do if I Don’t Have Enough Volts?

If your semi truck battery voltage is too low, you may not have enough power for your headlights and other electrical components, which could be an accident waiting to happen. Keep in mind that a dead battery means that you’ll also lose engine power, so before anything else happens the first step should be to get a new battery or put on a jumper cable. Once this has been done, you’ll need to ensure that your alternator is effectively keeping your batteries charged. If it reads above 13 volts, then there’s likely no problem with your alternator. Alternators are responsible for generating electricity from rotational energy and delivering it to other parts of the vehicle. That includes powering electronic devices like headlights and stereos as well as charging up batteries. It can take hours for an alternator to recharge a dead battery from start-up mode, but most repairs shops will charge anywhere from $35-$80 depending on how far away they are from where you live

How Do I Check My Semi Truck Batteries' State?

The best way to check the status of your semi truck batteries is by using a voltmeter. The trouble is, most people don’t have access to one, so what should you do? The first option would be checking with the battery manufacturer or retailer for their expert opinion and help. If they cannot answer your question, they may be able to recommend someone who can. As a last resort, you can call a professional service representative who specializes in heavy equipment and truck repairs.

How Long Do Semi Truck Batteries Last?

In a perfect world, semi truck batteries will last for the life of the vehicle. But in reality, this isn’t always the case. If you don’t use your semi truck for an extended period of time or if you let your battery get really low, it can lead to sulfation. This is where some particles from the plates come loose and mix with electrolyte and this can start forming deposits on the inside of the cells. This decreases capacity and eventually turns into grid corrosion. Other factors that affect how long a semi truck battery lasts are how often they’re charged, how deeply they’re discharged before recharging and whether they’re subjected to extreme heat or cold. In general, you can expect your semi truck batteries to last between 3-5 years under normal conditions.

Need Semi Truck Battery Replacement? Call (443) 790-8887 Today!

If you’re in need of semi truck battery replacement or roadside assistance, look no further than A1 Emergency Roadside Service. We can come to your location and perform repairs quickly and efficiently. Our fleet is ready for service 24 hours a day and we offer a wide range of repairs from bodywork to exhaust systems. Contact us today for more information.

Battery

July 22, 2022by Vivid Insights & Marketing

Jumpstarting a Semi Truck: The Dos and Don’ts

Starting and running a semi truck isn’t the most difficult of task as long as everything is working properly. When things start going bad, it’s good to have some some knowledge about how to troubleshoot your truck and get it back running . If you don’t follow the correct procedure when jumpstarting your semi truck, you can easily damage your engine, which will lead to much more money spent than if you had just done it correctly in the first place. Follow these dos and don’ts to successfully jumpstart your semi truck, without putting yourself or your truck in danger.

Have The Right Tools for a Jumpstart

Before you even think about jumpstarting a semi truck, you need to make sure you have the right tools. You’ll need jumper cables, a battery charger, fire extinguisher, and a set of wrenches. Plus, it’s always helpful to have a friend nearby to help out. A volt meter is also a good tool to have to see if your battery does in fact have power.

Make Sure A Jumpstart Will Solve Your Problem

Many truckers assume that if their engine won’t turn over, their only option is to jumpstart it. However, this isn’t always the case. There are a few things you should check before resorting to jumpstarting your engine. First, make sure the battery connections are secure and there is no corrosion. If the terminals are corroded, you won’t be able to get a good connection for the jumper cables. Next, check the fuses. A blown fuse could be the reason your engine won’t start. Finally, check the starter relay. If it’s defective, it may need to be replaced. If you’ve checked all of these things and your engine still won’t start, then you can go ahead and try to jumpstart it.

Use The Right Jumper Cables

It’s important to use the right gauge cables when jumpstarting a semi truck. If the cables are too small, they won’t be able to handle the amount of current needed to start the truck. If they’re too big, they could damage the truck’s electrical system. Plus, you need to make sure the cables are long enough to reach from the battery to the starter.

Common Jumper Cable Problems

If you’re having trouble jumpstarting your truck, it could be due to a number of faults in the cables. Check for these common faults before you call a tow truck:

Make sure the battery terminals are clean. Dirty terminals can prevent the flow of electricity.
Check that the red positive cable is securely connected to the positive terminal on the battery.
Check that the black negative cable is securely connected to the negative terminal on the battery.
Make sure that both ends of each cable are free of fraying or other damage.
If you’re using jumper cables, make sure they are long enough to reach from one battery to the other without coming into contact with any metal surfaces.

Need Help Jumpstarting Your Semi Truck? Call (443) 790-8887 Today!

If you’re in need a jumpstart for your semi truck or roadside assistance, look no further than A1 Emergency Roadside Service. We can come to your location and perform repairs quickly and efficiently. Our fleet is ready for service 24 hours a day and we offer a wide range of repairs from bodywork to exhaust systems. Contact us today for more information.

Battery

July 14, 2022by Vivid Insights & Marketing

What to Do When Your Semi Truck Won’t Start

If you’re reading this, you’re probably stuck on the side of the road or at a truck stop—your semi truck won’t start, and you don’t know what to do next. Don’t worry! This guide on what to do when your semi truck won’t start will help you get up and running again so you can get back on the road and back on schedule. You may just need to jumpstart your truck or make minor repairs, but there are also bigger situations that require more extensive repairs or replacement of parts entirely.

Don't Panic If Your Semi Truck Won't Start

Whether it’s your first time or you’ve been driving for years, it’s always scary when your semi truck won’t start. But don’t panic! There are a few things you can do to troubleshoot the problem. First, check the battery. If the battery is dead, you’ll need to jumpstart the truck. If the battery is fine, then check the fuel level. If there’s no fuel, then you’ll need to get some and put it in the tank. If there’s still no luck, then it’s time to call a tow truck or a mechanic.

Check For Dead Batteries

If your semi truck won’t start and you know the battery is dead, there are a few things you can do. First, check the cables to make sure they’re all connected properly. If they are, then you’ll need to jump start the truck. To do this, you’ll need another vehicle with a working battery and some jumper cables. Once you have the other vehicle in place, connect the positive (red) cable to the positive terminal on your dead battery, and then connect the negative (black) cable to the negative terminal. Finally, start the working vehicle and let it run for a few minutes before trying to start your truck. With any luck, this will give your truck enough of a boost to get started.

Check Fuel Systems

If you are out of fuel, your semi truck won’t start. Check the fuel supply, and if the tank is empty, fill it up and try again. If the truck still won’t start, there may be a problem with air in the fuel system which needs to be bled out. If you still have a no start then you could have problems with the fuel pump, fuel filters, or fuel injectors. If the truck starts, great! if not then something else may be wrong.

Check Alternator

There are a few things that could be causing your semi truck’s alternator to not work. The first thing you should check is the battery. If the battery is dead, it could be because the alternator isn’t charging it. Another possibility is that the alternator belt has come loose or broken. If this is the case, you’ll need to replace the belt. Finally, it’s possible that the alternator itself has gone bad and needs to be replaced.

Check Starter Motor

The starter motor is responsible for turning over the engine, so if it’s not working, your truck won’t start. There are a few things that can cause the starter motor to fail, including a dead battery, bad connections, or a problem with the starter itself. If you’re not sure what’s wrong, it’s best to call a tow truck or mechanic to help you diagnose the problem.

Knowing The Difference Between Breakdowns and Shutdowns

A truck breakdown is a mechanical failure that occurs while the truck is in operation. A shutdown, on the other hand, happens when the truck is turned off and can no longer start. If your truck won’t start, it’s important to know which one you’re dealing with so you can take the appropriate steps to get back on the road.

If Your Semi Truck Won't Start, You May Need to Call A Mobile Truck Repair Company

If your semi truck won’t start, you can always call a mobile truck repair company. They will send a technician out to your location to diagnose and fix the problem. The technician will likely need to test the battery, starter, and alternator. They may also need to check the fuel system and engine for any potential issues. If they can’t get your truck started, they may need to tow it back to the shop for further diagnosis.

Need Help Getting Your Semi Truck To Start? Call (443) 790-8887 Today!

If you’re in need of roadside assistance, look no further than A1 Emergency Roadside Service. We can come to your location and perform repairs quickly and efficiently. Our fleet is ready for service 24 hours a day and we offer a wide range of repairs from bodywork to exhaust systems. Contact us today for more information.

Battery

June 8, 2022by Vivid Insights & Marketing

The 5 Worst Problems for Semi Truck Batteries (And How to Fix Them)

Semi truck batteries are incredibly important to the safe operation of your vehicle, and can be difficult to replace or repair once they’re damaged. When problems arise with your semi truck battery, it’s important to fix them as soon as possible, before they get worse and prevent you from operating safely and effectively on the road.