Commercial truck drivers spend a lot of time on the road, and that means they need heavy-duty batteries with the right specs to get from point A to point B to point C, and so on. But it’s more than just making it to the next delivery stop with all of the cargo intact — drivers need to be able to rely on their trucks to keep them safe.
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Features like backup cameras, lane departure warnings and blind-spot monitoring devices can all help improve driver safety. But if the vehicle’s commercial truck battery is faulty or on the fritz, it limits how these advanced safety features work, putting both the driver and others on the road at risk of a collision.
Here’s why all aspects of commercial truck batteries — from choosing the right battery specs to maintaining the battery between drives — are crucial to safety.
Commercial trucks are large vehicles that need batteries powerful enough to handle heavy loads. The batteries need to supply enough power to start a heavy vehicle like a commercial truck and keep it running, whether rolling down the road or idling at a rest stop.
But, like any battery, heavy-duty truck batteries have vulnerabilities to discharging, overcharging and even extreme weather. If the battery dies, not only are truck drivers stranded until help arrives, but they can also lose money on disrupted delivery schedules.
Further, what happens if the battery dies while the driver is on the road? If the battery is weak, it may struggle to provide enough power for some of the electronic features on the vehicle. That could kick safety features like alerts, monitoring devices and other sensors offline, making the truck driver and other drivers on the road vulnerable to an accident.
Commercial truck batteries and automotive batteries both run on a 12-volt system. But unlike a personal car, commercial trucks typically run on two, three or even four batteries. Commercial trucks contain two parallel-joined batteries for enhanced safety to protect the vehicle’s electrical systems.
One of the major differences between these two battery types is size and weight. Commercial trucks typically spend all day on the road for days at a time, and the vehicle may also run overnight if it has a sleeper cab. That means commercial truck batteries need to be larger to have enough room for the thicker lead plates inside that can supply more power.
How much does a commercial truck battery weigh? It can vary, with standard flooded batteries weighing around 70 to 100 pounds each, while lithium-ion battery packs for trucks may weigh significantly more. By comparison, automotive batteries weigh about 30 to 60 pounds.
Choosing the right heavy-duty truck batteries is essential for commercial truck safety. From ensuring the vehicle starts up in the cold weather to maintaining the vehicle’s electrical system even when the battery is dying, it’s important to keep these specs in mind when choosing commercial truck batteries. If you choose a battery that isn’t compatible with your truck, it could mean the vehicle will struggle to start in cold weather — if it starts at all — or the battery may need frequent jumping to get the truck on the road. The battery may also fail completely, requiring you to buy a new battery, one with the right specs to fit your truck’s needs.
CCAs. Cold Cranking Amps, or CCAs, refers to a battery’s ability to start in cold weather. This rating measures the amount of amps the battery will sustain for 30 seconds at 0 degrees Fahrenheit. It’s best to follow the CCA recommendations on the original equipment (OE) specifications of the vehicle, but most heavy-duty commercial trucks will need a battery with around 800 to 1,000 CCAs.
Amp-hours. The amp-hours, or Ah, rating for batteries measures the battery capacity by how many amps the battery can deliver per hour. For heavy-duty vehicles, Ah may be around 90 to 200.
Reserve capacity (RC). This rating, measured in minutes, refers to how long the battery can supply 25 amps at 80 degrees Fahrenheit before the 12-volt system drops to 10.5 volts. This measurement is important for semi trucks because a higher RC battery can keep electrical systems running for longer, even if the battery dies. Commercial truck RC ratings may range from around 45 to 470.
Weight. One thing to keep in mind is battery weight. Semi-trucks must weigh no more than 80,000 pounds, including the weight of any cargo, vehicle parts, and batteries. Vehicles over 80,000 pounds become dangerous on the road, as the heavier weight makes it even more challenging to maneuver the truck. So, when drivers consider what commercial truck batteries to install in their vehicles, they may want to factor in weight, especially if they expect to carry heavy cargo loads.
Once a truck is outfitted with the right batteries for optimal performance, maintaining that performance and extending the battery lifespan will depend on regular maintenance. To maintain commercial truck batteries:
Test batteries regularly. Semi-trucks should undergo preventive maintenance every 30,000 miles or at least every six months. This process involves changing the oil, replacing filters, checking the tires and testing the batteries. The test reading should be about 12.5 to 14.2 volts. If a battery falls below a 12-volt reading on a battery tester, it’s time for a replacement.
Minimize extreme weather exposure. It’s not always possible, but drivers should try to park commercial trucks in a covered space. High temperatures can prematurely age the battery. In cold temperatures, keeping the truck parked in a climate-controlled space or even near a warm building can help minimize the amount of charge the battery loses from cold exposure.
Clean the battery. Corrosion can naturally build up on battery terminals and can weaken the battery's performance. Clean battery terminals every three to six months using a commercial battery cleaning product or a paste made from baking soda and water, then dry thoroughly.
Water if needed. If the semi-truck battery is a flooded lead acid battery, it will require refilling the electrolyte level. To do this, add distilled water to the battery until it just covers the lead plates inside. Battery watering frequency will vary based on usage but plan to water about once per week. Maintenance-free batteries won’t require refilling.
Recharge the battery. Fortunately, driving long distances — common for heavy-duty trucks — helps recharge the battery via the alternator. But if a battery test reveals a reading of around 12.4, the battery needs recharging. Use a battery charger and follow the manufacturer's instructions to charge the semi-truck batteries properly.
Semi-truck batteries will last about three to five years. If even just one of the batteries starts dying, it’s best to replace them all. One bad battery could impact the whole bunch, and drivers don’t want to risk being stuck on the side of the highway when a delivery deadline is looming.
Aside from age, drivers should consider battery replacements when the engine struggles to start, the battery needs frequent recharging or jumpstarts or the electrical components on the vehicle aren’t working as usual. For instance, lost settings on a radio or dim lights may be signs of a weak battery.
Do you own a boat, golf cart, motorcycle, or recreational vehicle? If so, you've likely bought some batteries, had them installed, and never looked at them again. This is a common mistake because some batteries require more than just scraping corrosion off the terminals.
Most people who own a deep cycle battery buy either flooded batteries or sealed deep cycle batteries. But what's the difference between the two? Let's dive in and find out.
A deep cycle battery is a lead-acid battery designed to provide power for applications like boats, solar energy systems, and RVs. Unlike starter batteries, which provide short bursts of energy to start an engine, deep cycle batteries deliver continuous power over long periods. They can reliably run even when discharged between 60% and 80%, though it's recommended not to discharge them more than 50% to extend their lifespan.
Flooded deep cycle batteries have thick plates, large separators, and high-density paste material, making them resistant to corrosion from multiple charge and discharge cycles. These batteries use electrolyte fluid that completely submerges the plates, allowing for efficient charging and steady discharge.
Flooded batteries require regular maintenance. Check for corrosion at the terminals and ensure the electrolyte level is adequate. If the water level is low, refill with distilled water after charging is complete.
Advantages of a Flooded Deep Cycle Battery:
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Inexpensive
Easy to troubleshoot
Longer lifespan than sealed batteries
Sealed deep cycle batteries, also known as VRLA (Valve Regulated Lead Acid) batteries, are maintenance-free because the electrolyte fluid is sealed inside. They don't need to be upright and can be placed in various orientations, making them ideal for boats or recreational vehicles that experience a lot of movement.
Advantages of a Sealed Deep Cycle Battery:
Lighter
Faster charging
No regular maintenance required
Can be positioned in any orientation
Better for extreme temperatures
Types of Sealed Deep Cycle Batteries:
AGM (Absorbed Glass Mat): Uses woven glass fiber separators to suspend the electrolyte close to the active plates, providing excellent charge and discharge efficiency.
GEL Batteries: Similar to AGM but best used in high deep cycle applications like off-grid living and solar energy systems.
Choosing the right battery depends on your specific needs. Consider the following:
Choose a flooded deep cycle battery if:
Extreme temperatures are not an issue
You have time for regular maintenance
You're looking for a cost-effective option
You have a well-ventilated storage area
You want longer-lasting performance
You prefer to troubleshoot your battery manually
Choose a sealed deep cycle battery if:
You prefer maintenance-free operation
You need a battery that can be positioned in different orientations
Budget is not an issue
You're using the battery in extreme temperatures
You want a fast-charging battery
Contact us to discuss your requirements of start stop battery. Our experienced sales team can help you identify the options that best suit your needs.