So point by point.
a. Polarity
Turn the poles towards you to determine the polarity of your battery.
If the plus is on the right – polarity backwards. Such batteries can be found on most modern foreign cars. And if the plus is on the left – a straight line. These usually use “our brands”.
It is impossible to make a mistake with the choice of polarity. If you insert the “wrong” battery, the length of the standard wires when connecting may not be enough. But the electrical characteristics of batteries with different polarities are the same.
2. Origin
Usually the batteries for Asian models are higher than those for European models. Therefore, “Europeans” can be used on cars from the East, but not the other way around.
In modern cars, the plus wire is often fitted with fuses. And because of them, problems arise when installing a battery with the wrong “nationality”.
For example on hyundai Crete (under the hood of course “Asian”) this fuse box does not fit in the recess of the European battery.
The “Asian” ends protrude above the body (they are both round and flat). European women always have two round pole exits, which are recessed in niches.
“Asians” for small cars (such as key cars) may have smaller diameter terminals. There are no comparable “Europeans”.
On the left – “European”, on the right – “Asian”. Batteries with the same capacity and even the same manufacturer. The height difference and the location of the terminals.
Don’t go wrong with the sizes! Most mass batteries are the same width – about 175 mm. The total height of the “Europeans” is about 190 mm. “Asians” add “growth” excellent pool conclusions – the total height of such batteries reaches 225-227 mm.
3. Confirmation
European cars usually use a lower battery box on the body. Therefore, such batteries have a ledge on the body, to which the clamping bar clings.
Most “Asians” assemble top. The mounting bar is located at the top. It is attracted by two studs that protrude from the bottom of the mounting platform.
For example, you can usually put on a European battery, as long as there is enough screw thread on the studs. But the “Asian” without a lower flange in the engine compartment of a European car simply cannot be repaired.
4. Capacity
The capacity of the battery in ampere-hours (it is more correct to speak not of capacity, but of charge!) Should not be less than the standard capacity. And better more, if it fits in a permanent place.
And don’t believe the horror stories that the high capacity battery will undercharge.
five. Weight and price
Never buy batteries with suspiciously attractive price tags. From the outside they look the same as the rest, but inside they have less lead. This means that both the capacity and the raw material are lower than those of high-quality (heavier) batteries.
It is easy to identify such batteries when weighing: check the ground of several batteries and grab the heaviest!
What you can save on: buy a so-called replacement battery. These are usually issued to dissatisfied customers while their regular battery is being examined. And then offered for sale for a relatively low price.
6. Brand
Ceteris paribus, try to take batteries with well-known names, which usually end up in the winners of the exams of the magazine “Behind the wheel”. Varta, Mutlu, Topla, Tyumen, most likely, will not disappoint you – unlike one-day batteries with bright labels and tempting names like “Star Champion”.
- “Behind the wheel” can also be read in Telegram.