A van battery is a device that stores electricity and provides power to the van. It mainly powers the starter motor, lights and other electronic devices of the van, we need to choose the most suitable battery according to different battery types. High-quality van batteries are vital for vans, which can improve the reliability, efficiency and safety of vans. Van batteries mainly include lead-acid batteries, AGM batteries, lithium-ion batteries, lithium iron phosphate batteries, etc. However, the battery usage time needs to be analysed according to different situations, such as the cost of the battery, safety, cycle life, efficiency, etc. We need to choose the right one for us according to our needs.
Truck battery type
1. Trucks use liquid-rich lead-acid batteries
Trucks use liquid-rich lead-acid batteries with the best price, but in the meantime you need to check the lead-acid batteries regularly, such as physical inspection, refilling electrolyte or distilled water, avoiding over-charging and over-discharging, etc. The cycle life of the batteries is not very high, generally from 2 to 5 years, and the number of times of cycling is about 300 times. These lead-acid batteries also have sealed lead-acid batteries, which are sealed to prevent leakage and do not require refilling of electrolyte or distilled water. (Note: The number of cycles refers to one full discharge and one full charge)
2. Use of AGM batteries for trucks
AGM batteries are another option for vans. AGM batteries stand for Absorbed Glass Mat Batteries and refer to valve-controlled lead-acid batteries. The main feature of the batteries is the presence of a fiberglass mat spacer, which absorbs and holds the electrolyte solution inside the battery. The batteries can carry a large amount of energy, and compared to traditional lead-acid batteries, AGM batteries have a longer lifespan, can withstand multiple charging and discharging cycles and perform better, and have good shock resistance in extreme weather, allowing the batteries to travel over rough roads. There is also no need for frequent maintenance like lead-acid batteries, AGM batteries are a good battery.
3. Deep cycle batteries for trucks
Deep cycle batteries have thicker lead plates than traditional lead-acid batteries, enabling the battery to provide power for a longer period of time. The depth of discharge of deep cycle batteries can reach about 80%, but try to keep the depth of discharge at about 50%, which is good for maintaining battery life. Deep cycle batteries have a cycle life of about 2,000 cycles, which is more suitable for deep discharge than lead-acid batteries and can provide sustained energy, and are lighter in weight. However, the CCA cold start current of deep cycle batteries is lower than that of traditional lead-acid batteries, so trucks do not generally use deep cycle batteries.
4. Use of lithium batteries in trucks
With the development of lithium battery technology, in the field of truck batteries, the use of lithium batteries is more and more, mainly because of the advantages of lithium batteries, such as high energy density, high output power, long cycle life, small self-discharge rate, etc. Trucks use different forms of lithium batteries, such as lithium-ion batteries, lithium iron phosphate batteries, etc., and we mainly introduce commonly used lithium batteries for trucks:
4.1 Trucks use lithium-ion batteries
Lithium-ion batteries are the latest type of truck batteries, lithium-ion batteries have high energy density, between the weight, efficiency and life have advantages, compared with other types of batteries, lithium-ion batteries charge faster, the same weight can be higher energy efficiency, very suitable for trucks, but lithium-ion batteries cycle times than lead-acid batteries to be a little higher, in order to make the battery service life is higher need to be daily maintenance, and the cost of using lithium-ion batteries is very low. However, the cycle times of lithium-ion batteries are higher than lead-acid batteries, and daily maintenance is needed to make the batteries last longer. Considering the performance of trucks, the choice of lithium-ion batteries is a good choice.
4.2 Truck battery using lithium iron phosphate battery
In different types of lithium batteries, lithium iron phosphate batteries are the most used truck batteries, mainly because lithium iron phosphate batteries are more stable and not easy to overheat, compared with lithium-ion batteries with higher security. Under normal circumstances, lithium iron phosphate batteries will not be overcharged or overheating combustion or explosion phenomenon, and lithium iron phosphate batteries have the highest number of cycle times, the longest service life, but the price is relatively high, if you don’t look at the price of lithium iron phosphate batteries are the best choice for trucks.
Selection of van batteries also need to consider factors
In the choice of van batteries, in addition to choosing different types of batteries, but also need to consider other relevant factors to choose the most suitable for our van batteries, specific considerations are as follows:
1. The price of the battery
The price of different types of batteries is not the same, we need to choose the battery according to the needs of the use of the van, for example, the price of traditional lead-acid batteries is relatively low, but we need to maintain on a regular basis, there are also some maintenance-free batteries, we do not need to maintain on a regular basis, but the price is relatively high, the price of lithium batteries are higher, we need to consider the overall situation.
2. Weight and size
The space inside the van is limited, so we cannot choose a battery that is too large and heavy, it is important to choose a small and lightweight battery. If the size of the battery is too big, it will affect the overall space of the van, and if the weight of the battery is too big, it will affect the load capacity of the van, and it will be more difficult to repair the battery.
3. Battery durability
Battery durability is also a factor we need to consider, trucks will encounter some extreme environments such as extreme high temperature, extreme low temperature, rugged roads, etc., when encountering these environments, the battery will be some serious accidents, such as thermal runaway, fire, battery explosion, etc., we need to take into account the conditions of use of the battery, choose a durable battery.
4.Voltage and efficiency
When starting the truck, a certain voltage is needed to make the starter run, which requires a high voltage to ensure that the output power of the voltage battery can ensure the effective operation of the truck.
5.Depth of discharge
Batteries with different depths of discharge will provide different battery life. Selecting a battery with a higher depth of discharge will provide more power. Lead-acid batteries have a discharge depth of about 30%, and lithium batteries have a discharge depth of about 80%, so we need to consider the impact of the battery’s depth of discharge on our vans.
6. Battery life and cycle times
The service life of lead-acid battery is about 3 years, and the number of cycles is 200 to 500 times, the service life of lithium-ion battery is about 5 years, and the number of cycles is about 1,000 times, and the service life of lithium iron phosphate battery is about 10 years, and the number of cycles is more than 10,000 times.
7. Battery capacity
The most important factor when choosing a truck battery is the capacity of the battery. Battery capacity is in ampere hours, which indicates the total energy that the battery can hold. We need to choose a higher capacity battery according to the daily power consumption to ensure that we can start the vehicle and use it in daily life.
8. Safety features
We can choose batteries with battery management, such as lithium batteries, deep cycle batteries, can regulate the battery, when the battery is too high voltage, lowvoltage, high temperature, low temperature, high current and too much load, etc., the battery management system will work to suspend the function of the battery, to protect the battery from damage, maximize the service life of the battery. Lead-acid batteries do not have battery protection, we need to carry out daily maintenance. When choosing a battery, we should consider the safety performance of the battery to ensure personal safety and smooth operation of the vehicle.
9. Battery Maintenance
Ordinary lead-acid batteries require frequent maintenance, such as filling distilled water or electrolyte, physical inspection, etc., such as sealed lead-acid batteries, lithium batteries do not need to fill electrolyte or distilled water, only need to carry out physical inspection to avoid the battery in high or low temperature state.
10. Cold Cranking Current (CCA)
Cold cranking current refers to the starting performance in low temperature conditions, and trucks need to choose batteries with higher cold cranking current because truck starters need a lot of electricity to start the vehicle, and in addition to the cold conditions, it is even more necessary to have batteries with high starting current.
How to care and maintain the truck battery
1.Conduct physical inspection
1.1 Check the appearance of the battery for dents or protrusions, cracks or fissures, foreign objects or contamination, which may affect the use of the battery and lead to safety incidents. Lead-acid batteries also need to check the electrolyte level, the electrolyte can make the pole plate and spacer can be covered by electrolyte.
1.2 Check the battery’s connecting harness and insulation, connecting terminals are connected reliably to improve the overall performance of the battery.
2. Avoid storing batteries at extreme temperatures
Under extreme high or low temperatures, the performance of the battery will be seriously affected. Battery thermal runaway, fire, damage to internal battery components, etc. may occur. Park the truck in a garage or a cool place to avoid extreme temperatures.
3. Avoid deep discharge or overcharge
Try to avoid deep discharging of the battery, which will shrink the life of the battery. When the battery is dead, also avoid overcharging, overcharging for lead-acid batteries will be battery deformation and water loss phenomenon, but also cause lithium batteries caused by the internal pressure of the battery, the temperature rises, and may even lead to explosions, fires and other accidents.
Common problems and solutions for van batteries
1.1 Truck batteries are old and unusable, need to replace the truck battery.
1.2 Battery sulfation, this will appear on top of the lead-acid battery, need to be sent to a professional repair, determine whether it is reversible or irreparable sulfation, and then repair or replacement.
1.3 Battery connecting harness is broken or fractured, which needs to be repaired by maintenance personnel.
1.4 Battery leakage, may be between the top cover and the bottom groove sealing is not good or due to collision, the sealing glue cracked, or the safety valve seepage of acid leakage, may also be the terminal seepage of acid leakage may occur in the lead-acid batteries, you need to deal with the leakage of liquid and sent to the maintenance personnel, pay attention to the protection of personal life and safety.
Conclusion
Choose the van battery we recommend the use of lithium iron phosphate batteries, both from the safety of the battery, the service life and the number of cycles, the battery capacity and volume, are the best choice of battery type, but lithium iron phosphate batteries have to be a lot higher upfront investment costs, you can choose the most suitable for their own needs to choose their own batteries, our recommendations you can refer to, I hope that you choose the best van We hope you will choose the best battery for your truck.
