ECOBAT Battery Technologies (EBT), formerly Manbat, says that there is still confusion in the marketplace when it comes to the process and tools required to change the battery in a start/stop equipped vehicles, as well as a failure to recognise that it requires a specific battery type.

The introduction of start/stop system has meant a fundamental shift in battery technology with batteries required to make multiple engine starts in the course of a single journey. This has seen the development of AGM (absorbent glass mat) and EFB (enhanced flooded battery) designs, both of which are capable of making 300,000 vehicle starts over their lifespan, in contrast to the 30,000 expected from a traditional battery.

In a survey carried out at Automechanika Birmingham, technicians were asked to provide the correct meaning of the acronyms SLI, AGM and EFB. Of more than 400 technicians questioned, less than one in 10 answered correctly; starter lights ignition, absorbent glass mat and enhanced flooded battery.

This lack of awareness is a major cause of many of the problems inherent in modern battery replacement, as installing an unsuitable battery design in a start/stop equipped vehicle, will lead to its premature failure.

“The market research, as well as news stories concerning incorrect battery replacement, such as the recent report of a prominent chain and the customer’s subsequent demand for compensation, have highlighted the issues,” said Laura Jones, EBT’s marketing manager.

Laura emphasises the importance of ensuring that the correct battery is always fitted and that garages need to be aware of the differing technology. SLI batteries are for traditional applications without a start/stop function, EFB for entry-level start/stop vehicles and AGM for larger start/stop vehicles that could also feature regenerative braking.

EBT is helping garages to addressing the problem with its ONE BOX concept, a solution that consolidates all the equipment needed to test and install start/stop batteries into a single package. This includes; a battery analyser to accurately assess the condition of the existing battery, a NOCO charger and OBD lead to support the vehicle’s ECU/data storage during the replacement process and a battery validation tool to ensure the new AGM/EFB battery is correctly assimilated into the vehicle’s battery management system. The package can be also be supported with signage and point-of-sale material, to allow workshops to fully promote their start/stop replacement capability to motorists.

For further details, please contact ECOBAT Battery Technologies on: 0044 1743 218500 or visit: www.ecobat.tech