46 AFTERMARKET OCTOBER 2023 BATTERIES AND CHARGERS www.aftermarketonline.net Highest quality Banner Batteries is a founding member of the Original Equipment Suppliers Aftermarket Association (OESAA). As Banner Batteries Business Development Manager Russell Shea explained, their working relationship with the VMs has actually become closer over time: “Banner Batteries is working with its VM partners to deliver power solutions that not only exceed automotive output requirements, but which are emission friendly. To deliver on these two fronts, the focus remains on OEMs designing, producing, and adapting batteries that exceed their normal life expectancy. This means using only the highest quality components, rather than producing according to cost.” Using AGM and EFB batteries for example, Russell said it is vital for techs to properly understand the different types of battery in use across the parc: “Although AGM and EFB have been used in high-volume vehicles since 2009, there is still a lot to learn and plenty to pass onto industry colleagues – once again, underlining the role OESAA has in our industry, such as the one-size-fits-all rule, which has waned. “Simply, a Stop/Start car requires a Stop/Start battery. Should a standard battery be fitted, then it will experience damage and lose its capability to power that vehicle within a few months. “Furthermore, an AGM powered battery can only be replaced like-for-like. If replaced with an EFB, problems can quickly occur. However, an EFB can be upgraded to an AGM, so long as the size of the unit is the same.” For more information: visit oe-suppliers.org Battery testing Battery testing is a key service that garages should be providing, as Banner Batteries’ UK Country Manager Lee Quinney noted: “It is a procedure that gets overlooked, to the detriment of both the garage owner and customer. Nearly a third of cars that enter a vehicle workshop have a battery that needs recharging, with a further 10% that should be replaced. Simply doing the maths means that over 40% of vehicles enter a garage with an issue. “If a vehicle is in the workshop, it makes perfect sense to undertake a voltage test and to check its condition. Not only does such a procedure show a duty of care to the customer, it helps reduce the incidence of battery failure whilst out on the road, which is obviously the scourge of any driver. It is here that the likes of Banner’s latest heavy-duty tester, the BBT HD1+, falls into the workshop critical piece of equipment category. Lee added: “The BBT HD1+ is the ideal tool to test the charging/starting system of car, truck and motorcycle batteries. It is a very versatile, easy to operate and extremely lightweight tester that can be used when testing all types of batteries.” Battery health CTEK recently ran a pan-European survey taking in 700 technicians across the continent. This found that around 20% said between three and five out of 10 cars arrive at garages with a battery problem. Mark Poole, Sales Manager at CTEK commented: “Further research conducted by a leading battery manufacturer revealed that more than 85% of warranty claims were not in fact due to faults on the battery, but rather a lack of charge or inadequate maintenance by customers, leading to battery sulfation. “Battery capacities have not increased at the same rate as demand on load, therefore battery maintenance is now, more than ever, an essential requirement in minimising the risk of battery failure. Add to all of that the post-pandemic shift in driving habits, and there is now a significant increase in battery health issues.” Regular maintenance According to Mark, garages can help their customers understand the importance of battery maintenance: “There are several reasons why charging and maintaining a battery with a reliable battery charger like the CTEK CS FREE can save money. Regular maintenance can extend a battery’s life by up to three times. If the worst should happen, The CTEK CS FREE is also a 4-in-1 portable battery charger, smart maintainer, adaptive booster and a hi-tech power bank. It can safely restart a dead vehicle battery within only 15 minutes.” Great addition Commenting on NOCO’s new GeniusPRO Series, Gary Vincent, EMEA Sales Director at NOCO, said: “Built with safety and efficiency in mind, these professional battery maintenance solutions are packed full of automation and advanced technology that pushes the limits of power efficiency. Technicians can charge, maintain and repair 6volt, 12-volt and 24-volt batteries. As well as being multivoltage, the GeniusPRO series supports AGM and Lithium-ion battery types in addition to standard lead-acid batteries. “Engineered for professional workshops, the portable units automatically detect battery sulfation and acid stratification, and cutting-edge battery repair modes allow for safe battery restoration. Maintaining constant power delivery during reprogramming and diagnostic testing is vital in a professional workshop; the GeniusPRO chargers provide a dual-voltage power supply of 12-volt (25-amp) and 24-volt (12.5-amp) to ensure uninterrupted power without unwanted ripples, noise or transient spikes. “The all-new start-voltage sensor gives technicians the ability to not only detect but charge batteries as low as 1 volt; using the new Force Mode, technicians can detect batteries with zero volts and manually begin charging.” Gary added: “There’s so much you can do with the GeniusPRO series, they’re a great addition to any workshop. Our expert engineers have included a huge range of automated features to ensure battery maintenance in busy workshops is hassle-free.” For more information, visit: www.no.co Below: GeniusPRO charger from NOCO in action
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