Car service key items:
All cars — even the most powerful, expensive, and technologically advanced, are completely helpless when their car batteries are dead. This should make you think twice about taking yours for granted.
Even your battery needs TLC every now and then. Here are some of the things you should and shouldn’t do when caring for your car’s battery:
Dos
1. Do familiarize your senses on your car’s engine so you can easily spot signs of impending battery death.
Training yourself to notice how your car works normally allows you to easily recognize signs of problems For instance:
When you get used to how your car and its engine function normally, your senses will be more attuned if things are out of place. A murky headlight means that the car’s battery might be going down, while a surphuric smell can indicate leaking batteries — or catalytic converter problems.
Whatever the case, knowing that something is wrong with your car allows you to take steps to solve the problems earlier that waiting for things to get worse.
2. Do inspect the terminal clamps to see if they are tight and free from corrosion.
Corrosion is the bane of all car parts — including batteries. You can clean them by mixing one or two tablespoons of baking soda and water, then brushing the corroded part with a wire brush. By the way, before you do this, make sure to turn off the engine first and disconnect the cables. Once you do this, you can brush both the negative and positive posts on the battery with a wire brush.
If there’s a lot of corrosion, it would be best to have them cleaned by professionals, instead.
3. Do disconnect the battery if you plan to keep your car in storage for a long time.
It’s normal for batteries to self-discharge slowly even if you’re not using your car. You can prevent unnecessary battery drain by simply disconnecting them — especially if you don’t plan to use your vehicle for a long time.
4. Do keep jumper cables inside your emergency kit / tools.
You should always have jumper cables in your car, because there’s always a possibility that your batteries can die out on you in an instant. If this happens on you, then you can always ask a friend or any random driver that passes by to help you jump-start your car. This can at least make you mobile enough to go to a nearest car mechanic or station to have your car inspected for problems.
5. Do protect your battery by using a special grease or spray designed for them.
These sprays are specially designed for car batteries so they don’t get rusty and corroded.
Don’ts
1. Don’t make it a habit to completely discharge your battery.
Your car’s battery often works by harnessing the power generated by its lead cells. Discharging your battery can damage them fast.
2. Don’t let your car sit in hot places.
Heat is another enemy of car batteries. Hot temperatures actually cause the battery fluid to evaporate, which shortens its life in the process.
3. Don’t idle your car.
It’s easy to wait for someone even in your car. Just turn on your aircon, listen to the radio — and even charge your phone while you’re at it. This practice is not only gas-guzzling, but it can also be hard on your battery. It’s much better to turn the engine on from time to time so your car’s battery doesn’t do all the work when your car’s idle..
4. Don’t leave the lights on.
It’s one of the most common mistakes that people make — leaving their headlights or cabin lights on after they go home. This can drain your battery overnight, so do double checks before you get out of your car at night.
5. Don’t use your car’s alternator to charge a dead battery.
Your alternator is not designed to act as your battery’s charger, and doing so will damage or shorten your battery’s life.
6. Don’t disconnect the positive cable first when removing your car’s battery.
Always start with the negative cable first; otherwise, you might cause your battery to short-circuit.
7. Don’t use a high-charge setting when you’re charging your battery yourself.
Many chargers have a low-charge setting, and you should use this first as a safety precaution. If you don’t have this setting, then it’s better (and much safer) to let a professional do it for you.
Consider the following when shopping for a dashboard camera:
Single lens cameras record footage through the windshield of your car. They are easy-to-install, uncomplicated to operate and are often the most affordable option.
Multiple Lens dashboard cameras allow you to record footage of what’s in front, behind and in some cases to the side of your vehicle so you’ll always be covered if you need to make a claim.
Combine all your in-car device into one with a Hybrid Dash Camera. This type of dash cam also includes GPS functionality for extra convenience.
Dash cams use loop recording, which means old footage is constantly being replaced with new footage. Be aware of the following if you are keen to use your dash cam to document journeys as well as record incidents:
Resolution and frame rates are an essential consideration when shopping for a dash cam as they can dictate whether or not recorded footage is good enough to be used as evidence.
Dashboard cameras are available with a range of functions and features that can improve performance and usability. Look out for the following when making your choice:
The Torqit Power Module performance chip uses less fuel, yet creates more power by maximising the energy output from each drop of fuel.
The Power Module is a 4WD performance chip that safely unleashes power, torque and fuel efficiency lost through factory programming in your vehicle’s on-board computer.
Your vehicle will be under considerable stress when towing heavy loads, and this stress can impact the life of your vehicle. A Power Module reduces that stress, increasing all round power and torque.
Perfect for anyone towing a caravan, boat or trailer, a Power Module allows your vehicle to perform to its maximum ability. You’ll notice the pulling power immediately, enjoying a much smoother driving experience.
It sits between two existing plugs in the vehicle’s fuel operating system. As this is located in different areas depending on the vehicle, ensure you review vehicle-specific fitting instructions. Installation is quick and easy, taking just 15 minutes.
This unit can be used as a hardwired or Bluetooth-controlled module. The best part is that you do not have to choose – once the Power Module is installed on a vehicle, it is automatically set to the highest performance mode. The Bluetooth mode has three optimum settings to choose from, Economy, Cruise and Sport, each increasing with power and torque. To switch between settings, download Torqit’s Connect app and follow the instructions.
For many adventurers, travel is a way of life. You like to spend your days exploring, off-roading and packing in adrenaline rushes. If you love to travel, camp and live on the road, RVs with lithium-powered batteries are your new best friend.
Over the past decade, lithium batteries have become the ‘go-to choice’ for portable electrical storage systems in the RV industry. While the price point may seem like a con, lithium batteries offer your caravan or camper faster and more efficient charging, for only a quarter of the weight of AGMs – plus, they are also long-lasting.
Considering switching to lithium batteries? Let us help you make your decision. Here are 10 reasons why lithium batteries are the best for your RV.
Lithium batteries are equipped to release energy at any level required by your RV. The amp-hour your RV needs is the total amount of energy that you wish to store and draw from. With an excellent inverter capacity, lithium batteries ensure that all electrical appliances can run simultaneously.
Lithium batteries are beneficial for camper trailers, campervans, caravans, and small motorhomes as they store three to four times the electrical energy of a conventional battery. You can also increase storage space within the RV, as lithium batteries are lighter and smaller in size, reducing the overall payload.
With conventional deep-cycle batteries like AGMs, voltage drops from 12.75 to 11.40 as they discharge. A drop in voltage can also occur with an increased payload. However, with lithium batteries, RVs can harness peak power and offer substantially constant voltage. Regardless of the load, lithium batteries also ensure your RV doesn’t have power problems.
If you travel in your RV often, it is essential that your vehicle be equipped with the right tools to manage current. A lithium-powered battery is able to accept 100 to 200% of high charge currents, unlike AGM batteries which are limited to only 25 to 30%. Realistically, you need an RV that can accept exceptionally high charges of current, and switching to a lithium battery takes care of that.
With a conventional battery like lead acid and AGM, typical lifespans range between 500-600 cycles with 50% routine discharge. However, lithium batteries are claimed to last for 2,000 cycles with 20% remaining in routine discharges. This offsets the higher costs of owning lithium batteries and fully recharges in lesser time compared to an AGM battery.
For both newbie and veteran travellers, safety is a key concern. Ensuring the interiors of the caravan are well-ventilated is essential to stop hydrogen build-up. Batteries must be kept in ventilated areas to prevent damage and prevent the risk of fires. Lithium batteries are non-cobalt based so they prevent the risk of fires and can be placed in enclosed spaces like RVs and caravans.
Batteries are prone to be affected in lifespan and performance in extreme weather conditions. A lead-acid battery becomes weaker in winter due to increased load. However, lithium batteries warm up on use, reducing the battery’s resistance and increasing its voltage. Using lithium batteries in RVs and caravans in extreme weather is the better option, as they can also be engineered for specific temperatures.
Off-grid travellers and RV owners usually choose lead-acid batteries to save on costs. However, the lifespan of such batteries is lesser, meaning you spend more on replacing your system. While lithium batteries are priced a little higher, their long lifespan and efficiency mean that you won’t have to constantly replace your battery, helping you save money and time in the long run.
As lithium batteries have low discharge rates, they can be used for longer time periods without any harm. Additionally, conventional batteries are reliant on temperatures below 25 degrees Celsius to perform. With lithium batteries, you don’t have to worry about temperature and other disruptions and can enjoy travelling peacefully for a very long time!
Another advantage that lithium batteries offer RVs is a fast-charging rate. This makes them more efficient as they can be charged at a higher amperage, making them an attractive investment for RV and caravan owners. Lithium batteries are also suited to use with solar charging systems, making them perfect for off-grid travellers.
So, how do you choose the right lithium battery for your off-grid travels?
Our experience suggests that the Invicta Lithium Batteries are the perfect match for a range of quality RV battery charging and monitoring systems. BMPRO’s Invicta batteries weigh less than 50% of a lead acid battery and have longer lifecycles, utilisation capacity and better lower discharge.
We believe that the future of RV power is lithium. With many manufacturers already shifting to lithium batteries for cars and other vehicles, the RV industry and off-grid travellers should make a switch to lithium to enjoy a smoother travel experience.
Australia is without a doubt the best country in the world for Motorhome and RV touring so keep the family up to date with your latest adventure, entertain the kids in and around your caravan. Set and forget your WIFI router for the internet that is there for the whole family.
Cool Tip! Air conditioning systems have hoses that can dry out and crack when not being used. This leads to refrigerant leak and poor performance. To prevent this happening, run your AC a few times during winter to help keep the system lubricated.Car air conditioners not only keep you cool during summer, they can also remove humidity from the cabin which can be handy in the winter to counteract a foggy windscreen.
The price of an air conditioning service can vary. Canberra Auto Electrical offers a car air conditioning service starting from $160, excluding parts and gas. If additional repairs are required a workshop will be able to provide you with a quote prior to moving forward.
BOOK ONLINE NOW FOR YOUR REGAS, SERVICE, OR REPAIRS
The general rule is that if the car air conditioning system is well maintained to begin with, the benefits and advantages that come with a comprehensive service performed by a suitably qualified and certified technician should last at least until the next service or about two years time.
If your car air conditioner isn’t running efficiently, needs a regas, or you haven’t had it serviced for a long time, now is your moment. Go ahead, book today Service from car air conditioning service from just $160* plus parts and gas.
*Price may vary depending on vehicle type.
Night Vision and WDR Function:
Produces crisper and sharper images during the day, at night, or in backlit situations. In addition to WDR night vision LED, exposure correction and ISO correction, it also has strong correction function for overexposure, black flapping and backlight light.
(Safe and Multi-Functional) Supports emergency recording, loop recording, motion detection recording, parking surveillance, WDR
function, and night vision functions, so it is useful for explaining the cause of accidents in the event of an unexpected accident or smooth accident.
Summer in Australia can get exponentially hot. Temperatures can reach up to 30 °C, so it pays to prepare for the blazing days ahead. Usually, people would remind themselves to stay hydrated and wear lighter pieces of clothing. However, one of the most important yet often overlooked tasks that should be done during this season is maintaining a car’s air conditioning system.
You use your car’s A/C almost every day, and it practically becomes a necessity once summer hits. Unfortunately, this can lead to overworked car air conditioners, which have a higher chance of malfunctioning when you least expect it. Because of this, it’s smart to keep these following tips in mind to help keep your car’s air conditioning system in good shape:
Letting a professional clean your vehicle’s A/C will ensure that the air will stay fresh and cool. The professionals, after all, have the proper equipment and experience to thoroughly clean the air conditioning system.
It’s crucial to take your car to a reliable car air conditioning service regularly. When you allow car experts to take a look what’s under the hood, they can easily spot A/C-related problems and fix them before they can do more harm to the entire system.
Even if you say you have experience fixing your car’s air conditioner, it’s still in your best interest to let a mechanic take care of the repairs. The professionals have the experience, skill, and tools to fix any air conditioning issue without compromising your car’s health.
The moment you notice your car’s A/C is acting up, you need to bring it to a nearby car air conditioning service center ASAP. It’s unwise to ignore the early warning signs of a damaged air conditioning system because it can affect the other components of your vehicle like the wiring.
Letting the air conditioning run for 10 minutes a week will help keep its gas pressure at an optimum level. It’ll also ensure that the compressor will work properly during summer. To do this properly, however, you need to turn on the system to its coolest setting and highest fan speed.
Another thing you need to leave running for about 10 minutes is the air conditioner’s defrost function. Doing so will eliminate excess moisture in the system, preventing mildew buildup and musty odours as a result.
Switching to the A/C’s recirculation mode will keep the vehicle’s interior cool even when it’s hot outside. This mode is the best way to maximise an air conditioner’s operating power since it’ll only pull air that’s within the cabin.
Dust, dirt, and other particles can hinder the air conditioner from working efficiently. For this reason, your car’s carpets, mats, and seats must be vacuumed regularly.
Although sliding into a pre-cooled car is comfortable, it can affect the air conditioner’s performance. The car’s air conditioning system can cool things more effectively when there’s airflow. Thus, instead of waiting until the car’s interior is cold, switch on the A/C once the vehicle starts cruising through the roads.
When you leave your car under the sun for too long, its interior can get considerably hot. As a result, the car’s A/C will have to work twice as hard just to get the temperature down. That’s why it’s smart to park under a shade or install sun shades to avoid causing this problem.
Staying cool during Australia’s summer months will be easier if you keep your car’s air conditioning system in good shape. Plus, if you make it a habit of following these A/C maintenance tips regularly, your vehicle’s air conditioner will remain efficient all year round.
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