- by Joe Weber - updated on 2/20/2024
The days are getting longer and spring will be here before you know it. Get your jet skis, golf carts, motorcycles and more spring adventure equipment ready for fun by following these helpful tips. A little time and prep work pays off in the end, you'll see it is time well spent to ensure your batteries are in good condition for the season.
Whenever working with batteries you should think of your safety before touching the battery.
Once you've donned your safety gear, it's time to look at the battery. All batteries should be visually inspected periodically, even maintenance-free batteries.
If you have flooded lead-acid batteries that require occasional watering you should check to see if the electrolyte level is at the appropriate level and add distilled water if needed. Do not ever open AGM batteries, AGM batteries are completely sealed and cannot be watered.
Filling should be completed after a full charge. Filling before charging can result in an overflow of the battery's electrolyte.
If your electrolyte levels were significantly low, monitor your battery's performance carefully as the plates may have been irreversibly damaged from low fluid levels.
Next, it's time to remove any corrosion and clean the battery for its spring introduction.
Before using your battery in your equipment for the first time this spring, make sure to test the battery to make sure it is functioning properly.
Reference the chart below for the normal voltage ranges depending on the battery you test.
Battery Voltage | Healthy Voltage Range |
---|---|
6V | 6.3V - 6.6V |
8V | 8.4V - 8.8V |
12V | 12.4V - 12.7V |
If you are uneasy about testing, don't have the tools or are unsure what to make of the test results, bring it (or them) to your nearest Batteries Plus location and our in-store battery experts will test your battery free of charge!
Don't let your spring battery prep stress you out. Make preparing your batteries for the upcoming warm weather a breeze with help from your friendly local battery experts at Batteries Plus.
Batteries Plus carries a large selection of batteries for all of your warm-weather equipment. From golf cart batteries and motorcycle batteries to personal watercraft batteries and sump pump batteries and everything in between, we've got all the batteries you need to get the spring started off right.
Whether you need help testing your batteries, picking out the best new batteries or picking up some terminal protection and cleaning supplies, we've got you covered at your local Batteries Plus.