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.
