Some Recreational Vehicle (RV) owners decommission their vehicles during the winter and recommission them in spring. Preparing the RV for spring includes cleaning and polishing, checking locks, repairing splits and cracks, checking for water and mold, and inspecting onboard appliances, electronics and plumbing. The cables and plugs in the RV’s engine should also be inspected for wear and damage and be replaced if needed. Among...

With the arrival of spring, boating enthusiasts look forward to taking to the water, especially in climates where it is too cold for boating during winter. Watercraft that remains dormant for a few months need to be recommissioned to ensure that all systems onboard are functioning properly. Recommissioning involves inspection, preparation, cleaning and sometimes repair or replacement of onboard components, including the marine battery or...

A Recreational Vehicle (RV) is a unique mode of automotive travel that includes onboard living quarters that enables you to visit remote locations. This type of vehicle application requires power sources for not only turning over the engine, but also supporting a variety of house loads for added convenience. Also known as hotel loads, house loads include the amenities that make this mode of transportation...

As boating enthusiasts prepare for warmer weather, many assume the do-it-yourself (DIY) task of recommissioning their watercraft. Attention to the boat’s marine battery and its care is an important part of this annual practice. Not only must marine batteries start engines, but they are also responsible for powering onboard accessories. Known as house loads, these accessories can include communications equipment for monitoring weather and contacting...

As the warmer weather approaches, boating enthusiasts tinker with their watercraft to get ready for another season of fishing, watersports and relaxing on the water. Avid boaters can spend hours cleaning hulls, checking drains, waxing fiberglass and meticulously caring for teak accents. Nothing ruins a day planned on the water quicker than an inoperable battery. When you are ready to replace the battery in your boat,...

Heavy duty commercial vehicles require greater capability than light duty vehicles, such as passenger cars. According to the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE), heavy duty vehicles must meet requirements that have approximately two times the peak power, four times peak torque and more than five times greater per mile fuel consumption than light duty vehicles. They require larger batteries with as much capacity as 4...

Powersport vehicles are all about having the capability to “get-up-and-go” have fun when and where you want, including in the dirt, mud, water and snow. With the winter months upon us, outdoor enthusiasts are looking forward to hitting the snowy trails on their snowmobiles, All Terrain Vehicles (ATVs), snow bikes and other applications. Nothing dampens this excitement more than finding out your powersports vehicle won’t...

As electric and hybrid vehicles become more commonplace, battery developers and auto manufacturers alike are investing in advanced lead acid battery designs that can deliver higher productivity and performance than conventional battery chemistries. As newer designs continue to enter the market, it’s extremely important that, in addition to key market players, vehicle owners also recognize the advantages of premium chemistries. Among them include Absorbed Glass...

Most people are aware that automotive batteries are used to power Starting, Lighting and Ignition (SLI), but some vehicles, including Recreational Vehicles (RVs), also rely on batteries to power onboard equipment, accessories and devices. Cranking the battery powers the starter motor to enable the engine in the RV to turn over, but starting batteries are easily rundown and rely on an engine’s alternator to restore...

You may think of a snowmobile as a fun ride in winter or as a lifeline to locations that are otherwise inaccessible from accumulated snow. Either way, a snowmobile and its component parts must be reliable in frigid conditions. Some version of motor vehicle transportation on snow has existed since the early part of the 20th century, with innovations in efficiency, performance and sustainability continuing to...