5 tips to maintain a starter battery

24 October 2025

Although starting problems are quite common for equipment, paying a little attention to a machine’s battery can already work wonders! Our Energic Plus experts offer five helpful tips for maintaining starter batteries, helping you to save time and money.

Avoid short-term use

A starter battery only becomes fully charged when a machine has been operated for at least half an hour. Short periods are insufficient for this and, even worse, they deplete the battery. To charge a battery correctly, it must be used for at least 30 minutes.

Place the machine in a sheltered area

The temperature significantly impacts the battery’s starting capacity: the colder the battery, the lower its starting capacity. This is why it’s preferable to park a machine indoors. If this isn’t possible, the machine should be parked out of the wind or covered with a protective sheet. Even these measures can already make a huge difference.

Turn off the electrical consumers

When starting the machine’s engine, switch off any unnecessary electrical consumers, such as lights, seat heating, and the radio. This will provide the battery with more power to start the machine.

Check the battery on a regular basis

Prevention is better than cure. The average battery lifespan is four to five years, depending on the type, usage, and level of maintenance. If you notice any signs of weakness, it’s best to have the battery checked. This will enable you to replace the battery in a timely manner if necessary. If you want to check the battery yourself, use a voltmeter to see if it’s supplying sufficient voltage. When the engine is running, 14 V is standard. If the measured voltage is significantly lower, there is likely a problem.

Connect the battery to the charger

Will the machine not be used for a while? Or have you noticed that the battery is struggling due to the cold? If so, connect the battery to a trickle charger. This type of charger provides a constant low-level charge, which keeps the battery in top condition.

Still have trouble starting?

When the machine still won’t charge, there are several possible solutions. One option is to use jump leads and a well-charged donor machine (or car) to start the battery. One downside of this method is that it can take a considerable amount of time. Another option is the use of a heavy-duty jump starter, also known as a starter booster. This device saves time and effort, since it allows you to boost a battery anywhere and anytime.

Find out even more about Energic Plus

Read some of our other blogs to find out more about industrial batteries, chargers, and advanced battery maintenance solutions from Energic Plus:

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About the authors

This blog post is brought to you by your Energic Plus team.

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