Why do my batteries keep failing?

Are you responsible for managing a specialist fleet and plagued by battery issues?  If so read on, we may have the solution.
 
A little known fact is that batteries differ in many subtle ways not shown up by their ampere hours and cold cranking amps.  We are all familiar with a start battery, since all vehicles have them. Unfortunately commodity start batteries seem to be used indiscriminately on specialist fleet vehicles where a battery needs to be selected to perform a particular role.  Mismatching the battery to the application will shorten life and not provide the desired performance. The following recommendations come from a holistic approach which Antares TDC have been applying to the design, selection and supply of batteries and auxiliary electrical power systems, on behalf of our blue-chip customers in the emergency services, military and other professional fleets.
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Integration experience
Understand how the battery is used: Stand by, Cyclic or “Twilight” Charging 
Misunderstanding this is the main cause of battery failure in specialist fleets today.  All batteries have three design lives to consider:
  1. Life when left in a fully charged state which can be 7-10 years
  2. Its ability to cycle (charge/discharge)
  3. Used in the “twilight zone” -  neither being fully charged or fully discharged. 
​The last is the most typical scenario for a specialist vehicle or trailer that is not grid charged. When coupled with cyclic use this will kill all but specialist GEL or Lithium Ion batteries
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Battery types overview
Understand your true replacement/in service failure costs
When a battery fails it costs your organisation money.  Many assume the new battery cost in the calculation but omit other factors.  The true value will include call out, diagnostic time, order processing, and of course VOR.  This cost varies depending upon your operation and is usually more than you wish to imagine. Knowing this cost accurately will determine how much you should pay for improved performance or indeed, if you are overpaying.
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understand costs
Don’t think of a battery in isolation - always think of the full power system
Batteries are wrecked by;
  • being left in deep discharge
  • being overcharged
  • being undercharged
  • having misapplied charging regimes. 
Always match you battery to the other components and the OEM chassis system.  SMART charging can play havoc with auxiliary batteries and needs specialist techniques.
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Protection Products
Always optimise  BATTERY SELECTION - POWER SYSTEM - OPERATIONAL REQUIREMENT...
for the lowest cost of ownership.  Avoid falling for initial cost  as this will usually lead to a mismatch - inexpensive batteries may be cheap for a reason.
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Cost of Ownership
Apply an engineering approach   
Use your in-house expertise or if not, engage suppliers or consultants who have a proven track record.  Properly design any proof of concept before committing to change, be methodical about any tests and verify the performance of any changes to the battery or charging specification.
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Consultancy & support
Buy from reputable manufacturers
Good manufacturers pay attention to quality control.  This means that the batteries produced will perform consistently making it easier to control your costs.  Every battery will wear out, but at least you know it will perform correctly through its design life.
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MK East Penn batteries
Act now to understand your problem! 
Battery problems won’t go away and the costs and hassle will remain.  Careful analysis as described here will leave you with the decision to live with it or make a change.  Either way it will put your mind at rest that you have not procrastinated.
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