GS BATTERY CHARACTERISTICS
MANUFACTURING DEFECTS
GS lead-acid batteries are built to the highest standards . It is important to understand that wet ( filled ) lead acid batteries are “ live ” products with a finite life . Batteries will slowly self-discharge – the higher the storage temperature and humidity , the greater the rate .
To ensure batteries do not discharge to the point where they are damaged , ( sulphated ), check the following :
Recharge date label on the back of the battery
Voltage checks on batteries with less than 4 months remaining
Batteries with a voltage of 12.35V or below should be recharged immediately
Stock rotation – first in , first out
MOST COMMON BATTERY PROBLEMS Non-manufacturing defects
WEAR AND TEAR As the battery is cycled , i . e . charged and discharged , this process of normal ageing will eventually cause the battery to lose capacity .
INCORRECT APPLICATION Fitting a smaller or less powerful battery will result in a shorter service life and earlier failure .
SULPHATION If batteries have not been maintained and allowed to stand in a discharged state , sulphation will occur . This can be seen as a fine white / grey coating on the positive plate and a non-metallic lustre on the negative plate .
DEEP CYCLING If a battery is subjected to deep discharging ( greater than 35 %) and rapid recharging or overcharging , permanent internal damage will occur , resulting in the rapid loss of battery performance .
PHYSICAL DAMAGE If a battery is stored , handled or fitted incorrectly , connector leads can be damaged .
Due to the technical and manufacturing standards of GS batteries , the rate of genuine manufacturing faults is negligible and is often due to :
• SHORT CIRCUIT / DEAD CELL Typically seen in a battery within a 12-month service life . One cell will show a dramatically lower acid specific gravity reading than the others . All other remaining cells will show a good specific gravity reading of 1.26 or above .
• INTERNAL BREAK The battery will have good specific gravity but no voltage reading . Check for any physical damage which may have caused an internal break .
Under normal operating conditions , a battery cannot become discharged on its own . The reason can normally be traced back to :
UNDERCHARGING If a battery does not return to a full state of charge , this will slowly cause sulphation . This fault can occur if the car is only being used occasionally for short journeys .
Battery failures caused by sulphation , wear and tear , deep cycling and physical damage are not manufacturing defects and are NOT covered by the GS warranty guarantee .
Wiper motor faults or electrical faults eg air conditioning or an incorrectly fitted stereo direct to the battery
Malfunctioning alternator , regulator or starter motor
Slipping ( incorrectly adjusted alternator charging belt )
Long standing time without recharge
Vehicle lighting and / or hazard flasher left on
If a battery is used or left in a discharged condition it will eventually get to a state where it cannot be recovered by a controlled recharge . This is classed as deep cycling and is NOT a manufacturing fault .
7203 GS Batteries Warranty A5 4pp OUTERS v4 . indd 3-4 03 / 10 / 2016 16:17